Firstly, I am already Post Surgery and generally recovering pretty well. However, I searched umbilical hernia in the forum and got no recent hits so I thought I would share my experience.
31, M, 160lbs, 6', Tri'n since 2009.
Raced Boise 70.3 on June 13th as my second race of the season. My first race of the season was a bust and Boise was nice a consistent effort to get me back on track. I didn't suffer anything unusual during the race other than a bit of asthma after the Sunscreeners in T2 were using the spray sunscreen and I inhaled a good lung-full. Post race however I noticed some chaffing coming from the mid-riff and looked down to see my normally innie belly button was now more of an outtie and was able to push it back into my stomach. There was no pain but I decided to schedule an appointment and WebMD myself. Per WebMD I either had Prostate Cancer and was going to die or it was an Umbilical Hernia (and I was going to die). Quick doc appt and confirmed Umbilical Hernia. Got a recommendation to a local surgeon, vetted him with a couple nurse friends, and made the appt for a consultation. The consultation wasn't until Monday June 22nd, 9 days after the original incident. That Sunday (the 21st) there was a local Oly I wanted to race and I took the approach that I wasn't explicitly told not to race so I went out and went hard for a 2nd Place finish. Still no pain, no issues, a slight bulge had formed again and again I just pushed it back through.
Monday the 22nd I went into the consult with the Surgeon and immediately upon first look he too confirmed that an Umbilical Hernia had formed and that it was at this point not of serious concern. We went through my options and he recommended that I would at some point need surgery to repair the tear. He mentioned that with reduced activity and intensity that I could manage this for quite some time and still be able to enjoy the full offering of summer time fun. Although, with the level of activity I was accustomed to that I go ahead and get this repaired before making a larger tear. He had one slot left (after a cancellation) for Surgery that Friday June 26th. Otherwise, his next available was July 17th and I opted to get it done sooner rather than later as the expected recovery time was quoted at no activity for 3-4 days, walking from 4-10, and then light activity stopping at the first sign of pain through day 30. Also no lifting any items over 30 lbs for the entirety of the of the first 30 days.
June 26th rolls around, I work a half day, head home, walk the dog, get picked up by the fam and taken to the surgery center. Other than being the very last appointment of the day for the entire complex and developing a bit of a dehydrated hanger I am calm and relaxed. The Anesthesiologist is an avid cyclist and the last thing I remember talking about is his Cervelo S3 and my QRoo CD01 as I was anesthetized. The next thing I remember is talking to a nurse and the Anesthesiologist about tiny penguins swimming in a pool in my backyard. Apparently I am a terrific patient for anesthesia.
The Surgery:
2 small incisions were made below my belly button for the Laproscopic Procedure which in total took about 20 minutes. A small bit of intestine had pushed through I was told was about the size of a small marble, this was corrected, the tear was sutured and then the placement of a small mesh insert to reinforce the suture was applied. The surgeon said he injected some local anesthetic to the area of the surgery for pain. I would miss this the day after. I was sent off with a prescription for Vicodin and Senokot.
Evening of surgery was just dandy had a bacon cheeseburger and sweet potato fries with some ginger ale. Was able to slowly move up and down my stairs and was put to bed at 9pm. I should note that I have a fully adjustable tempur-pedic memory foam bed that was situated so that I was in a mostly seated position. This would be a huge help as I was able to position myself up or down with the push of a button. Took a narcotic and slept all night.
I spent the weekend in bed with 3 fans on (it was 90 degrees and in the NW no one has AC), watching Netflix, and ordering takeout. I showered Saturday and was instructed I could remove the bandage. Sunday was just like Saturday. By Monday I was semi-mobile but stayed home and worked from bed. I was able to make my way around hunched over as standing up straight felt like my stomach was being painfully stretched taut. Getting in and out of bed was getting easier and taking deep breathes wasn't so bad. Laughing though... Don't do anything that will make you laugh, or cough, or sneeze, or hiccup. Watching the last episode of Top Gear with your buddies might be a painfully funny experience.
Tuesday, I got up and got ready for work when... Wah Wah, I wasn't able to button any of my pants, the swelling from the incision was enough that I know what I would look like with a beer belly. I've been a size 30-31 since college and don't have any fat pants. I ended up wearing my Zoot running pants as the waist band is elastic and only semi-acceptable option for work. I went into the office, still hunched and walking he 1/4 mile from parking to my desk was a strain. Though it was definitely better than Monday. I spent the rest of the day in my chair rolling around from meeting to meeting to the bathroom to the kitchen onto the elevator and off. I left early-ish (2pm) went home took a pain pill and a nap. Wednesday same thing though I was definitely better than Tuesday. I switched to Ibuprofen only to continue to help to relieve swelling, any pain relief at this point wasn't necessary but a bonus.
Thursday, today, I am standing mostly upright and moving much better. Continuing with the ibuprofen and wearing real pants! The incision site is healing nicely and with the exception of sitting for a while then getting up I am able to move pretty freely. I plan to take it easy through Day 10 then start walking as exercise, until I can slow jog, slow jog till I can add some speed (pain free) and so on.
My decision to get this done now was simple in my mind. The smaller the issue to repair, the faster it will heal, the less invasive the procedure, the less foreign material (mesh and stitches) they insert. I'll miss my favorite local sprint tri but should be back in time for Lake Stevens even if it is a slow year and maybe even get in a late season race.
31, M, 160lbs, 6', Tri'n since 2009.
Raced Boise 70.3 on June 13th as my second race of the season. My first race of the season was a bust and Boise was nice a consistent effort to get me back on track. I didn't suffer anything unusual during the race other than a bit of asthma after the Sunscreeners in T2 were using the spray sunscreen and I inhaled a good lung-full. Post race however I noticed some chaffing coming from the mid-riff and looked down to see my normally innie belly button was now more of an outtie and was able to push it back into my stomach. There was no pain but I decided to schedule an appointment and WebMD myself. Per WebMD I either had Prostate Cancer and was going to die or it was an Umbilical Hernia (and I was going to die). Quick doc appt and confirmed Umbilical Hernia. Got a recommendation to a local surgeon, vetted him with a couple nurse friends, and made the appt for a consultation. The consultation wasn't until Monday June 22nd, 9 days after the original incident. That Sunday (the 21st) there was a local Oly I wanted to race and I took the approach that I wasn't explicitly told not to race so I went out and went hard for a 2nd Place finish. Still no pain, no issues, a slight bulge had formed again and again I just pushed it back through.
Monday the 22nd I went into the consult with the Surgeon and immediately upon first look he too confirmed that an Umbilical Hernia had formed and that it was at this point not of serious concern. We went through my options and he recommended that I would at some point need surgery to repair the tear. He mentioned that with reduced activity and intensity that I could manage this for quite some time and still be able to enjoy the full offering of summer time fun. Although, with the level of activity I was accustomed to that I go ahead and get this repaired before making a larger tear. He had one slot left (after a cancellation) for Surgery that Friday June 26th. Otherwise, his next available was July 17th and I opted to get it done sooner rather than later as the expected recovery time was quoted at no activity for 3-4 days, walking from 4-10, and then light activity stopping at the first sign of pain through day 30. Also no lifting any items over 30 lbs for the entirety of the of the first 30 days.
June 26th rolls around, I work a half day, head home, walk the dog, get picked up by the fam and taken to the surgery center. Other than being the very last appointment of the day for the entire complex and developing a bit of a dehydrated hanger I am calm and relaxed. The Anesthesiologist is an avid cyclist and the last thing I remember talking about is his Cervelo S3 and my QRoo CD01 as I was anesthetized. The next thing I remember is talking to a nurse and the Anesthesiologist about tiny penguins swimming in a pool in my backyard. Apparently I am a terrific patient for anesthesia.
The Surgery:
2 small incisions were made below my belly button for the Laproscopic Procedure which in total took about 20 minutes. A small bit of intestine had pushed through I was told was about the size of a small marble, this was corrected, the tear was sutured and then the placement of a small mesh insert to reinforce the suture was applied. The surgeon said he injected some local anesthetic to the area of the surgery for pain. I would miss this the day after. I was sent off with a prescription for Vicodin and Senokot.
Evening of surgery was just dandy had a bacon cheeseburger and sweet potato fries with some ginger ale. Was able to slowly move up and down my stairs and was put to bed at 9pm. I should note that I have a fully adjustable tempur-pedic memory foam bed that was situated so that I was in a mostly seated position. This would be a huge help as I was able to position myself up or down with the push of a button. Took a narcotic and slept all night.
I spent the weekend in bed with 3 fans on (it was 90 degrees and in the NW no one has AC), watching Netflix, and ordering takeout. I showered Saturday and was instructed I could remove the bandage. Sunday was just like Saturday. By Monday I was semi-mobile but stayed home and worked from bed. I was able to make my way around hunched over as standing up straight felt like my stomach was being painfully stretched taut. Getting in and out of bed was getting easier and taking deep breathes wasn't so bad. Laughing though... Don't do anything that will make you laugh, or cough, or sneeze, or hiccup. Watching the last episode of Top Gear with your buddies might be a painfully funny experience.
Tuesday, I got up and got ready for work when... Wah Wah, I wasn't able to button any of my pants, the swelling from the incision was enough that I know what I would look like with a beer belly. I've been a size 30-31 since college and don't have any fat pants. I ended up wearing my Zoot running pants as the waist band is elastic and only semi-acceptable option for work. I went into the office, still hunched and walking he 1/4 mile from parking to my desk was a strain. Though it was definitely better than Monday. I spent the rest of the day in my chair rolling around from meeting to meeting to the bathroom to the kitchen onto the elevator and off. I left early-ish (2pm) went home took a pain pill and a nap. Wednesday same thing though I was definitely better than Tuesday. I switched to Ibuprofen only to continue to help to relieve swelling, any pain relief at this point wasn't necessary but a bonus.
Thursday, today, I am standing mostly upright and moving much better. Continuing with the ibuprofen and wearing real pants! The incision site is healing nicely and with the exception of sitting for a while then getting up I am able to move pretty freely. I plan to take it easy through Day 10 then start walking as exercise, until I can slow jog, slow jog till I can add some speed (pain free) and so on.
My decision to get this done now was simple in my mind. The smaller the issue to repair, the faster it will heal, the less invasive the procedure, the less foreign material (mesh and stitches) they insert. I'll miss my favorite local sprint tri but should be back in time for Lake Stevens even if it is a slow year and maybe even get in a late season race.
Last edited by:
SoberBySaturday: Jul 2, 15 12:31