Can You Lose Weight After Umbilical Hernia Surgery

In umbilical hernia surgery,   the weakened portion in the navel from where the organ has protruded is put back and strengthened by placing a surgical mesh. 

This list of Dos and Dont’s after hernia surgery , can help prepare better for someone who has recently undergone an umbilical hernia surgery or prepped for one in the near future.  Apart from this guide, you can jot down all the queries you might have so that you can get it clarified from your doctor. 

Here are a few things that need to be kept in mind before cleaning and dressing the wound. Some of them are-

Umbilical Hernia: Causes, Symptoms, And Treatments

Work only till you can tolerate the load. If your work involves heavy lifting, resume work only after consultation with the doctor. 

At the hospital, the doctor will put you on liquids. Due to the effect of anesthesia, you can feel nauseated or even experience vomiting. 

A regular diet usually begins a day after the surgery. The combination of medicines, anesthesia, changes in the diet can lead to constipation. It is important to reduce the risk of constipation. 

Can You Live With A Hernia

You can gradually shift to a normal diet which should include lots of fiber so that the risk of constipation is reduced . Here is a list of food that needs to be eaten after the surgery-

An umbilical hernia can be repaired either with open surgery or laparoscopically. Our doctors believe that a patient can experience pain after an umbilical hernia repair mainly due to the following problems-

Someone who has undergone laparoscopic hernia repair , they can feel pain in the shoulders. This is due to the carbon dioxide gas that is inserted to inflate the abdomen during the procedure. 

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If you have a medium pain, then moving and walking can soothe out the shoulder pain. But if you have severe pain such that it becomes unbearable, then call your doctor without further delay. 

Doctors generally prescribe non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen acetaminophen to treat mild pain or inflammation. However, there can be some minor side effects such as stomach upset, bleeding in the digestive tract and difficulty to retain urine.

For severe pain, narcotics are recommended. Some common side effects of narcotics are sleep-deprivation, low blood pressure/heart rate and breathing rate. There can be incidences of skin rash, itching, constipation, nausea and difficulty while urinating. 

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If you have mild pain while moving, then it’s normal. Avoid any activity which you think can be a bad idea. It is important that you listen to your body. For severe pain or vomiting that won’t stop, call your doctor immediately. 

Usually, the pain lasts for 2-3 days after umbilical hernia surgery. But, people who try to perform strenous activities can experience pain even after 2-3 days.

No, you don't lose weight after umbilical hernia surgery. However, this is a fact that people who have higher BMI are more prone to developing a hernia after the surgery.

Can A Hernia Heal Itself Without Surgery?

Yes, you can exercise after umbilical hernia surgery until it doesn't cause any pain. Try doing low-intensity exercises such as walking, cycling or gymming after a week or two.Hernia is a protrusion of an internal organ (fat or intestine) through the muscles and tissues covering it and holding it in place. The protrusion of the organ takes place when the covering muscles become weak or when excess strain is laid on a particular area.

Hernias usually don’t go away or repair on their own. Surgery for hernia is the most advised solution to put back the internal organ in it’s place and in this process, the muscle and tissue is strengthened with stitches and/or by using a supporting material. “Making lifestyle changes go a long way in preventing the recurrence of hernia” says Dr. Karthik Gunasekaran, Chennai’s most sought after gastroenterologist and laser surgeon at The Laser Gastroenterology Clinic.

Tobacco contains nicotine. Nicotine restricts the blood flow in the body. After a surgery (or any injury), good blood flow to the area is needed for the incision/injury to heal well. The blood flow in smokers is hindered due to nicotine which makes it little difficult for the injuries to heal. Also, if you keep coughing while or after smoking, the repeated pressure on the abdomen can lead to inguinal hernia.

Its Been 2 Years Since My Hernia Surgery. I Started With The Gym Sometimes Back But After Some Days, I Started Feeling Heaviness Near Mesh But I Need To Reduce My Weight

Being overweight or obese can cause several medical conditions such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol levels, heart problems, kidney problems, stroke, diabetes etc. Being overweight puts pressure on the organs in the abdominal area. Constant pressure on the abdominal area while sitting, standing or moving around can result in hernia. Losing weight not only reduces the risk of hernia but also from several other medical conditions.

Including or adding more fiber in the diet can help avoid constipation. (Fiber can be included through addition of vegetables, whole grams, fruits etc). Long term constipation strains the organs in the lower abdominal area and that can lead to hernia.

Whether you are working out regularly or your profession demands lifting weights or heavy objects regularly, proper care needs to be taken so that your lower back and abdominal area is protected. Fasten the area with supportive belts to reduce the pressure.

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Working out regularly keeps all the muscles strong and can help reducing the risk of any type of hernia.  Not only you will lose the extra pounds that add stress to your mind and body, you can become strong physically and can be more confident in your regular life.

“You may feel lazy to start but as you push yourself for a couple of months and get used to working out, your body will keep asking it for more” says Dr. Karthik Gunasekaran, a leading gastroenterologist in Chennai.

Some hernias are medical emergencies and some disappear by just lying down. In any case, if you see a bulge or protrusion accompanied by nausea, vomiting, fever or chills, visit your family doctor or a good gastroenterologist near you immediately.The BMI (Body mass index) is the best indicator of ideal body weight. For any given height, there is an ideal body weight.

Umbilical Hernia Repair By Dr. David W. Ford

Elevated BMI and obesity do make all hernias and most likely umbilical hernia more complicated by increasing the size of the hernia. It also often contributes to increased pain and risk of emergent incarceration from a hernia.

Overweight people that are living with a hernia will usually feel better after significant weight loss. This is because the pressure on the hernia from increased fat in the abdomen is lessened with weight loss.

If you are planning to have your hernia repaired, excess weight or obesity is associated with a significantly higher risk of recurrent hernia, infection, and overall complications. In some cases, your weight may represent such a risk factor for hernia surgery that it is unsafe to undergo the procedure until weight loss is achieved. In some cases, people with BMI greater than 40, the risk of complications and even death is more significant than the risk of the hernia left untreated.

Combining A Tummy Tuck And Umbilical Hernia Repair

There is no true optimal BMI or weight for hernia repair. Every person and their hernias are different. The general rule is that the thinner one can become the more advantageous it is for a durable and safe repair. Generally speaking, a BMI of 18-25 would be ideal for any type of hernia surgical repair.

This is usually a good idea. A conversation with your surgeon will be necessary to answer this question. Sometimes the risks of delaying surgery are worse than the risks of weight related complications. Sometimes the risks of complications related to your weight warrants delaying hernia repair until an ideal body weight and BMI can be achieved.

Most of us struggle with our weight to some degree. It is very difficult to lose weight but is possible if one has a plan.

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Losing weight is hard for everyone. It often seems especially difficult if you are extremely overweight and/or you have been struggling with your weight for most of your life. Many people consider weight loss impossible and often believe they eat very little but still gain weight. If you put more mind to it and formulate a plan, weight loss is always achievable.

A real plan is necessary. One that involves attention to detail of everything that you eat. A plan to just eat smaller portions or avoid desert is destined for failure. A prescribed diet from your doctor or a dietician combined with an exercise plan will be necessary for success. Many people have had great success with programs such as “Weight Watchers” and apps on their phones such as “My Fitness Pal”. This is valuable as your phone is always with you and can give you information about your diet at any time and wherever you are.

Dr. Yunis and the team at Center for Hernia Repair care about your treatment and want you to receive the results you desire.

Recent Case Highlights

Limiting his practice to hernia surgery and abdominal wall reconstruction, Dr. Yunis performs over 700 operations annually and has more than 20 years of experience as a hernia surgeon. Dr. Yunis has a strong interest in revisional hernia surgery — repairing recurrent hernias and surgical eradication of chronic pain from hernia surgery.