ubilical hernia recovery time, methods of repair

[Maldorf]

I have had an umbilical hernia now for 18 years. When I originally developed it all of the docs said it was too small to worry about surgery. Over the years it has grown to the point now where I would like to get it repaired. Im looking for personal experience here. Anyone had this done, what was the method they used to repair it and how was recovery time? How long did you have to stay out of the gym? Im reading online about patching up with a mesh using a tension free technique, and they claim a competitive european bodybuilding champ took just a few days off before resuming lifting. I wrote to Markus Rhul, he had one repaired in 2001, and he said he was out of the gym for 6 weeks. His surgeon didnt use the mesh, they used the old technique of just suturing the fascia/muscle of the abs together. Im just hoping to hear some more feedback on this issue. got some feedback from another forum on here that they usually just suture the hole if its small, and rely on the mesh only if its big. They said that the suture method is stronger than the mesh, getting conflicting reports. My hole is about the size of a dime, maybe a bit bigger so not sure which method they will want to do. Just want to be sure I get things done the best way.

[Maldorf]

Thought I might add a question. Would 3IU/day HGH be enough to help healing post op? Wondering too about running a crusing dose of test or another compound to help out.

[Standard01]

Has the imbilical hernia had any affect on your training over the years?

[abstrack]

I actually just had my surgery on December 14th.

Surgery was done by a small incision above the belly button.

Outpatient procedure. Surgery took about 1hr. I spent more time in the waiting room then in the surgery and prep.

Recovery time is about 2 weeks or so, depending on how you feel. You can actually go back to lifting the next day if you can handle the pain & discomfort. I am just now getting to the point where I feel safe to go back to lifting in some sort of comfort.

The first 3-4 days you will be sore and uncomfortable. It's nothing unbareable though. I went back to work the following day.

[Maldorf]

I actually just had my surgery on December 14th.

Surgery was done by a small incision above the belly button.

Outpatient procedure. Surgery took about 1hr. I spent more time in the waiting room then in the surgery and prep.

Recovery time is about 2 weeks or so, depending on how you feel. You can actually go back to lifting the next day if you can handle the pain & discomfort. I am just now getting to the point where I feel safe to go back to lifting in some sort of comfort.

The first 3-4 days you will be sore and uncomfortable. It's nothing unbareable though. I went back to work the following day.

thanks for the reply! That makes me feel a whole lot better. Did they use the mesh to patch you up or did they just stich the hole together?

[Maldorf]

Has the imbilical hernia had any affect on your training over the years?

For the entire 18 years Ive had it, no it hasnt really effected my training. It has grown slowly though and now it is visible even through my shirt. It is more of a cosmetic issue right now, and it is affecting me mentally. Every time I lift hard I am paranoid that I might tear it much bigger, but so far that hasnt happend in 18 years. I do know that it will get bigger and bigger and eventually it will be a medical issue.

[Standard01]

I actually just had my surgery on December 14th.

Surgery was done by a small incision above the belly button.

Outpatient procedure. Surgery took about 1hr. I spent more time in the waiting room then in the surgery and prep.

Recovery time is about 2 weeks or so, depending on how you feel. You can actually go back to lifting the next day if you can handle the pain & discomfort. I am just now getting to the point where I feel safe to go back to lifting in some sort of comfort.

The first 3-4 days you will be sore and uncomfortable. It's nothing unbareable though. I went back to work the following day.

That makes me feel better, much appreciated. Maldorf, did the hernia effect your training over the years?

[Maldorf]

That makes me feel better, much appreciated. Maldorf, did the hernia effect your training over the years?

Nope, no real effect except for mental. Look at post above.

[Kale]

I have one but mine is small right now. A friend of mine just had his fixed with the mesh and he reckons he didnt lift for five to six weeks.

[Maldorf]

I have one but mine is small right now. A friend of mine just had his fixed with the mesh and he reckons he didnt lift for five to six weeks.

Im wondering if recovery time might also depend on the size of the hernia. How big was your friends? Mine is about the size of the tip of one of my fingers. If I were you I would get mine fixed now rather than wait. I think it may heal faster when its smaller, if you wait it will just grow bigger. I got mine when I was 19, and now 18 years later at 37 years old its bigger and will continue to grow larger. How long have you had yours?

[Kale]

Im wondering if recovery time might also depend on the size of the hernia. How big was your friends? Mine is about the size of the tip of one of my fingers. If I were you I would get mine fixed now rather than wait. I think it may heal faster when its smaller, if you wait it will just grow bigger. I got mine when I was 19, and now 18 years later at 37 years old its bigger and will continue to grow larger. How long have you had yours?

Dude I dont have 18 years left, I am almost 52 I have no idea how long I have had it, I didnt even know until I went to a Dr for something else about 8 months ago and he saw it. You can barly stick the tip of your little finger in mine. My friends was quite a bit bigger though

[Maldorf]

Dude I dont have 18 years left, I am almost 52 I have no idea how long I have had it, I didnt even know until I went to a Dr for something else about 8 months ago and he saw it. You can barly stick the tip of your little finger in mine. My friends was quite a bit bigger though

yeah, thats how mine started out too. You dont want to be 70 years old and have to go in for hernia operation, that would be hard on you I would think. Believe me, its just going to grow bigger and bigger every year.