Concerns About My Lifelong Umbilical Hernia
Greetings everyone, I’m a 20-year-old man who has been living with an umbilical hernia since infancy. My mother recalls that I was quite fussy as a baby, which she believes contributed to the hernia’s development. After consulting a physician back then, she was informed that it might resolve on its own and that a belly binder could be beneficial. Unfortunately, the binder didn’t provide any improvement, and the hernia persisted. Now that I am in my twenties, I’m still dealing with this condition, and it has made me feel somewhat insecure due to its appearance. Recently, I had a consultation with a doctor who felt around the region, yet I experienced no discomfort during the examination. I have several queries regarding my situation: - What are your thoughts on the diagnosis given to me? - Is it advisable to postpone surgery, or is there a risk of it deteriorating with time? - Will undergoing surgery result in a prominent scar? - Is it typical for adult umbilical hernias to remain without pain such as mine? Additionally, if anyone here has faced a similar situation or has undergone surgery for an umbilical hernia, I would greatly appreciate hearing about your experiences—please feel free to reach out to me directly. I’m eager to connect and gain insights.
Answers (1)
7/6/2025, 6:20:36 PM
OpenHealth AI
Thank you for sharing your experience with your umbilical hernia. It's completely understandable to have concerns about a condition you've lived with for so long, especially regarding appearance and the potential need for surgery. Here are the main points to consider:
-
Diagnosis and Management: A lifelong umbilical hernia that remains asymptomatic (not causing pain or discomfort) is common. Doctors often recommend monitoring it, especially if it doesn’t cause issues.
-
Surgery Considerations: While many umbilical hernias in adults can remain stable and symptomless for years, there is always a slight risk of complications, such as incarceration or strangulation. Surgery is typically recommended if the hernia becomes larger, if there are changes in symptoms, or for cosmetic reasons.
-
Surgical Outcomes: Surgery generally results in a scar, but most patients find it to be minor and not overly prominent. Techniques such as laparoscopic surgery can reduce the size of scars, and a skilled surgeon can minimize scarring further.
-
Pain Management: It is indeed typical for many adult umbilical hernias to be painless. If you are not experiencing discomfort, it does not necessarily indicate a worsening condition.
Next Steps:
- Monitoring: Keep an eye on your hernia. If there are any changes, such as increased size, discomfort, or changes in bowel habits, reach out to a healthcare provider.
- Consider Consultation: Since you mentioned insecurity about appearance, consider discussing your feelings with a healthcare professional who can provide insight into surgical options, risks, and expected outcomes.
- Research Surgeon Experience: If you decide to consider surgery in the future, look for a surgeon with experience in hernia repairs and ask about their techniques to minimize scarring.
It's important that you feel comfortable and informed about your options. Feel free to share any other thoughts or ask more questions as needed!
Related Questions
Increase in Myoclonic Jerks: Seeking Insights
Age: 31 years Gender: Male Height: 5 feet 11 inches Weight: 175 pounds Current Medications: Cymbalta taken once daily, propranolol administered three times daily, gabapentin taken three times daily. Medical History: Diagnosed with generalized anxiety disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and severe recurrent major depressive disorder. Primary Concern: A noticeable rise in myoclonic jerks has been occurring over the last six months, particularly affecting my arms and legs. Details: Over the past six months, I have experienced a significant increase in the frequency of myoclonic jerks. While I previously experienced these episodes infrequently, now I notice them approximately four to five times whenever I attempt to rest or sleep. There is no accompanying pain with these involuntary movements, but I am wondering if this situation warrants concern. Additionally, I refrain from alcohol and drugs as they exacerbate my mental health conditions. I maintain a healthy level of physical activity through biking. Any insights would be greatly appreciated.
Seeking Advice on Post-Surgery Pain
I'm a 35-year-old woman weighing 175 pounds and standing 5 feet 5 inches tall. I've been diagnosed with anxiety and depression, and my current medications include Klonopin and Wellbutrin. I do not smoke or consume alcohol, and I identify as Caucasian. I underwent surgery on April 10 and continue to experience significant discomfort. I am concerned about whether this level of pain is typical. My doctor reassures me that everything appears to be healing well and that post-operative pain can be expected. However, I sometimes feel as if I’m walking on rocky surfaces, yet the x-rays and the physical examination of my foot indicate no abnormalities. Additionally, it is painful to apply pressure on my big toe, regardless of the type of shoes I wear. I have a vacation planned for next week, and I am anxiously worried that it will be spoiled by my current condition. I will include a description of the procedure I had in the comments for reference. I just feel overwhelmed because it often seems that complications arise whenever I undergo a medical treatment. Any insights or advice you could offer would be incredibly appreciated. Thank you kindly in advance for your help!
Variable Redness Around Recent Injury
46-year-old female, weighing 140 lbs, diagnosed with EDS and POTS, experiencing perimenopause, currently on low-dose birth control, refraining from alcohol consumption, uses medical marijuana. On Friday evening, while preparing an old area rug for disposal, I accidentally scraped my ankle/shin with a utility knife. The blade was freshly changed, resulting in a clean cut approximately half an inch in length. I rinsed the cut with water, treated it with hydrogen peroxide (as it was my only option aside from scented soap), applied polysporin, and sealed it with a bandaid, then resumed my activities. By Saturday morning, my ankle felt somewhat tight, exhibited minor swelling, and exhibited an emerging red spot that progressively intensifying throughout the day. To be cautious, I planned to visit urgent care if the condition remained unchanged or worsened by morning. However, upon awakening on Sunday, I noticed noticeable improvement; most of the redness had subsided, swelling and stiffness had diminished, so I opted against a medical visit. Later that evening around 5 PM, when I went to redress the wound, I discovered that the redness had reappeared and had increased in size. The area adjacent to the cut is somewhat tender to touch, but I am not experiencing any significant pain, discharge, or unusual odor; it doesn’t feel notably warm, perhaps just slightly. I have noticed occasional itchiness but it is not persistent. Upon inspection, the cut appears to be deeper than originally assessed, potentially requiring stitches. Additionally, my air conditioning is malfunctioning, leaving my home at approximately 82 degrees, which may contribute to the situation.
Guidance on Unexpected Hand Swelling
Hello! I’m a 24-year-old female currently taking birth control along with medications for depression (Venlafaxine) and ADHD (Vyvanse). I reside in Canada. Yesterday, I attended a birthday celebration for my nephew at a public indoor swimming facility. The day was pretty standard, consisting mainly of enjoying some waterslides and keeping an eye on the kids. However, upon returning home, I started to feel discomfort in my left hand. By 8 PM, the pain had intensified to the point where I couldn't bend my fingers at the knuckles. Today, my left hand remains both painful and swollen, although I've noticed the swelling doesn’t bother me when it's resting in a neutral position. I’ll share images in the comments for reference. After doing some digging into potential causes, I’m starting to think this might be a kind of injury or perhaps a sprain. I can't recall any moment when I hurt myself or felt any pain before this incident. Some friends are urging me to visit the emergency room, but I believe that could be an overreaction. I would appreciate any advice!
Experiencing Possible UTI Symptoms?
Hello, I'm a 30-year-old female. This morning, after hygiene routines, I noticed some unusual sensations in my urethra, which seemed to be swelling. This was soon followed by a painful burning feeling when I attempted to urinate. A few hours have passed, and I’m now noticing blood in my urine. Currently, my primary symptoms include needing to urinate frequently, though only small amounts are coming out, and the burning sensation persists alongside the presence of blood. This is quite alarming for me as it’s the first time I’m experiencing such symptoms. Is it possible that I might have a urinary tract infection?