Umbilical Hernia

Chiperelli

Anybody else get one of these while pregnant?  I am having surgery on Tuesday to repair it... ouch.  Can't lift DS for 2 week after the surgery and this is making me want to cry!!  

mommy411

Oh I am so sorry. Sounds like it stinks! My DD had a herniated belly button, not me.

Good luck!

bwm2bmw

I'm sorry I do not have an umbilical hernia but I work for the company that produces the majority of patches to repair them so was just curious how your surgeon told you s/he would be repairing it.

Chiperelli

She said with mesh... my brother is in the army and has seen it done there with Kevlar (a strong kind of mesh I think?)...  Luckily, it's not general anesthesia, just a twilight thing called a MAC (Monitored Anesthesia "something").  The nurse said it'll take less than an hour.

 I AM FREAKING OUT!  I am such a wuss, I hate surgery.

I pray that it does not reoccur when I get pregnant again.... that's another thing - I wonder how long I have to wait??   (Not rushing it, but I don't want to live in fear of getting pregnant too early.) 

Chiperelli

Thanks, Pigtails!

bwm2bmw

Chiperelli:

She said with mesh... my brother is in the army and has seen it done there with Kevlar (a strong kind of mesh I think?)...  Luckily, it's not general anesthesia, just a twilight thing called a MAC (Monitored Anesthesia "something").  The nurse said it'll take less than an hour.

 I AM FREAKING OUT!  I am such a wuss, I hate surgery.

I pray that it does not reoccur when I get pregnant again.... that's another thing - I wonder how long I have to wait??   (Not rushing it, but I don't want to live in fear of getting pregnant too early.) 

Umbilical hernias are typically quite small and can be repaired with just a single small incision so that's why general isn't required and you'll just get a local (it will be WAY less painful than childbirth  The recurrence rate when mesh is used is <1% but there aren't many studies re: pregnant women, which, given my line of work and my current state, I'm always curious about because while the mesh will incorporate itself right into your tissue over the next few months for a stronger repair, it's a permanent material so isn't going anywhere when you become pregnant again. Meaning, it doesn't really stretch. There are absorbable meshes she can use, they last long enough for the body to heal itself but then get absorbed by the body over time and resorb completely. Just be sure she knows you plan on having more kids and ask her what will happen to the mesh when you do. Good luck!

Chiperelli

bwm2bmw:

Chiperelli:

She said with mesh... my brother is in the army and has seen it done there with Kevlar (a strong kind of mesh I think?)...  Luckily, it's not general anesthesia, just a twilight thing called a MAC (Monitored Anesthesia "something").  The nurse said it'll take less than an hour.

 I AM FREAKING OUT!  I am such a wuss, I hate surgery.

I pray that it does not reoccur when I get pregnant again.... that's another thing - I wonder how long I have to wait??   (Not rushing it, but I don't want to live in fear of getting pregnant too early.) 

Umbilical hernias are typically quite small and can be repaired with just a single small incision so that's why general isn't required and you'll just get a local (it will be WAY less painful than childbirth  The recurrence rate when mesh is used is <1% but there aren't many studies re: pregnant women, which, given my line of work and my current state, I'm always curious about because while the mesh will incorporate itself right into your tissue over the next few months for a stronger repair, it's a permanent material so isn't going anywhere when you become pregnant again. Meaning, it doesn't really stretch. There are absorbable meshes she can use, they last long enough for the body to heal itself but then get absorbed by the body over time and resorb completely. Just be sure she knows you plan on having more kids and ask her what will happen to the mesh when you do. Good luck!

 

Thanks for all the info!  That made me feel better