View Full Version : Umbilical Hernia
I just came from the doctor. I have an umbilical hernia, I told him I would be thru hiking starting in March 07. He set me up to see a surgeon next Thursday the 28th. If I have the surgery, how long is the recovery? If I don't have the surgery can I still do my hike? Man this sucks, I'v been waiting for this for so long that my heart is breaking and my ATC maps came today, their sitting on the front porch. Any help?
terrapin_too
12-21-2006, 21:06
What does the doctor say? What kind of shape are you in? Can you start later? I hiked 650 miles with a stainless steel pin bolted to my femur (hip-bone). When there's a will, there's a way.
Lacbe, That is something you should definetly talk to your doctor about. I have always been annoyed at anyone giving me "free" medical advice. That being said, I had one at age 1 year old. They say I got it at birth. Personally I think the Dr. picked me up by the cord and kinda did a yo-yo type motion with me, LOL, jk!!! I don't remember anything about it obviously and grew up thinking everyone else was "wierd" having a bellybutton. I had a great aunt need the same surgery years ago, but medical precedures have changed so much over the years. I would think if you had the surgery asap, you could possibly be rehabilitated by March.
I had planned on loosing some weight and starting a thru hike in April, but just found out I'm going to be a grandfather about that time and need to stay around. I would love to section hike with ya'll if possible tho.
Two Speed
12-21-2006, 21:30
Lacbe, don't get too upset until you talk to your MD. There's a lot of options, too. Maybe this is your sign to do a SOBO instead of a NOBO, maybe a flip-flop. Lots of options, just don't get depressed or upset. Yeah, probably will cause some changes but I'm willing to bet that once you get a better idea of what your prognosis is you can plan around it and still have a class one good time hiking the AT.
I too had a hernia when I was a baby. Somehow though the doctor messed something up 43 years ago and I had to have hernia surgery again one year ago this week. The doctor said it was something that had just been slowing getting worse my whole life and that he had to fix it. It must have been a hard repair because the doctor had to split me open about 4" to fix it. I called it my "male C section". That said, my recovery time was about 6 weeks where I couldn't do anything. After that I asked the doctor what level of activity I could resume and he said "If it feels OK, do it. If it doesn't feel OK, stop doing it". Three and half months later I did a 50 mile hike with my 2 boys and had no problems. Work real close with your doctor and you should be alright.
I just came from the doctor. I have an umbilical hernia, I told him I would be thru hiking starting in March 07. He set me up to see a surgeon next Thursday the 28th. If I have the surgery, how long is the recovery? If I don't have the surgery can I still do my hike? Man this sucks, I'v been waiting for this for so long that my heart is breaking and my ATC maps came today, their sitting on the front porch. Any help?
I've had an umbilical hernia for decades. My doctor first noticed it 15 years ago. His question was: "Is it a problem?"
My answer, "no."
His reply, "then ignore it."
I would start with a second opinion from someone not recommended by your doctor. Surgeons make their living by operating, not by advising people not to have surgery.
Weary
I had the same surgery in late 03. was fully healed by spring 04 for my week long section hike. mind you its not a thru, but I had no issues
Blue Light
12-21-2006, 22:25
Although I did not have surgery for a hernia, I did have pretty major surgery on both of my feet at the end of January '05 and started our thru-hike on March 19, 1005. I got the all clear one week before we started. Get your Doc's opinion but don't sweat it too much. You have several months before the NOBO window closes. I imagine if I was able to go from not being able to walk on both feet to hiking in less than 2 months, you should be able to do the same with hernia surgery. That is, if nothing goes wrong.
Best of luck.
I'm presently on crutches from a torn achillies tendon that occurred four or five weeks ago. My orthopedic doctor suggested I needed to keep a brace on another month.
I reminded him that I had walked the AT a few years ago and observed that a significant minority of thru hikers ended up at some point in trail town emergency rooms.
"It was my observation," I said, "that most of those that actually made it to Katahdin, seem to have ignored at least some of what the emergency room docs had recommended."
He smiled and told me about the time he asked his doctor whether a broken shoulder had healed enough for him to play in an important game. He said his doc felt the wrong shoulder and said "it's healed wonderfully" so he got to play!
Weary
Blissful
12-21-2006, 23:52
I have a friend who has a hernia and they are not doing surgery on it but hers is a hiatal hernia. Yours is different and likely depends on the severity (for instance, if there is a risk of intestinal strangulation). A second opinion is a good idea and go from there.
Two Speed
12-23-2006, 11:16
Lacbe, ain't heard much out of you recently. Doing OK?
orangebug
12-23-2006, 11:34
The answer is "it all depends." Are you symptomatic - is there a chance of a loop of gut getting trapped in it, rupturing and killing you? (I tend to look at worst case, first.)
If you aren't symptomatic, is this small enough to allow a laproscopic procedure? Is it big enough that entrapment isn't possible? What is you general health? Yada, yada, yada...
Consult with a real surgeon or two before jumping to conclusions.
Footslogger
12-23-2006, 11:45
Lacbe ...just offering a little feedback. Like some have already said, without knowing the extent of your hernia it is pretty tough to comment accurately.
One thing that comes to mind though is that wearing a hip belt (a la backpack) might work in your favor. It will maintain pressure on the embilical area and support the tissue weakened by the hernia.
Keep us posted on your progress ...
'Slogger
Note to self- Never post when your upset, seeing the maps on the front porch coming from the doctor just got to me. Thank you all for the support and words of comfort. I'v had time to think, so whatever happens I WILL go for it next year maybe start later, flip or start in Maine. I will see the surgeon Thursday and go from there. I am in pain right now, the boys down below are screaming, don't know how there connected but when I touch the hernia they scream. Yea I know dont touch the hernia -stupid. Again thank you all and have a great holiday and be safe. By the way the maps are fantastic to read and dream about being out there.
orangebug
12-23-2006, 18:23
Pain = Not Good. :eek:
At least you are going to look better in a t-shirt soon.
Two Speed
12-23-2006, 18:26
That would explain why you haven't come out to play recently. Just as soon as you get over that come on out play hide-n-seek or something.
cutman11
12-25-2006, 01:09
Lacbe, I am a general surgeon who can answer any and all questions about this topic.
A hernia is simply a hole in your abdominal wall, the umbilical variety relates to the need for an opening for the umbilical cord before you are born, and remains a "weak spot" where later a hernia can develop. Anyone with an "outie" has a hernia, versus an "innie" which is the normal appearance when the opening has properly closed after birth.
I do many umbilical hernia repairs in my practice every month.
I also see the folks who put off having a simple repair, only to either come in when the hernia has gotten much larger, and more of an issue to repair, or when a loop of intestine has gotten "stuck" (we call it "incarcerated") and needs emergency surgery.
I would by all means recommend you have it repaired, even if it is not troubling you much at this point, especially if you are planning to thru hike. You might get by without any trouble without the surgery, but why take a chance and have to get surgery in the middle of nowhere by a doc you dont know or trust, versus electively getting it fixed by a board certified general surgeon recommended by your primary care md, while you can recooperate at home.
The way I do the surgery, it is an outpatient procedure, can be done asleep, with spinal, or local with sedation(though most healthy folks just choose to go asleep). It takes between 20 and 40 minutes plus anesthesia recovery time. You will be sore for about a week afterward, and should refrain from heavy lifting for about six weeks from the day of surgery, so if you have surgery in early January, you would be ready for the trail easily by mid March. Most all surgeons would tell you all the above. I see some posts about laparoscopic surgery for this, but I would not recommend it for this particular situation, as you would be trading 1 cut for 3, with 3 sites for possible future herniation, so it just isnt worth it for something that is simple enough to fix already. The laparoscopic way is also more expensive, and is a gimmick for drawing patients by some surgeons. For other procedures, laparoscopy is the way to go, and I use it for gallbladder surgery, colon surgery and hiatal hernia surgery, but not for this one. Feel free to ask me or PM me other questions if you like.
Shutterbug
12-25-2006, 01:37
I just came from the doctor. I have an umbilical hernia, I told him I would be thru hiking starting in March 07. He set me up to see a surgeon next Thursday the 28th. If I have the surgery, how long is the recovery? If I don't have the surgery can I still do my hike? Man this sucks, I'v been waiting for this for so long that my heart is breaking and my ATC maps came today, their sitting on the front porch. Any help?
I faced the same issues year before last. I decided to go ahead with the surgery. I was back at work (no lifting) in two days. I followed my doctor's advise and avoided lifting for six weeks, but was hiking without a pack well before that time. At the six week point, I felt ready to go. I am sure I was back to carrying a full pack within a couple of months. Based on my experience, I would say get the surgery, delay your hike a couple of weeks, then have a great hike. April 1 is a great day to start.
Frolicking Dinosaurs
12-25-2006, 06:37
It sounds like your doctor is aware of what you are planning and feels confident that by having the surgery now you will ready to start your hike. This a great place to get advice about gear, the trail and hiking techniques, but it is wise to get professional advice from professionals who know your situation - in this case, your doctor.
It sounds like your doctor is aware of what you are planning and feels confident that by having the surgery now you will ready to start your hike. This a great place to get advice about gear, the trail and hiking techniques, but it is wise to get professional advice from professionals who know your situation - in this case, your doctor. Your right, I will listen to the doctors and I've pm'd cutman with some questions, but it is nice to hear what people have to say here. They have a way of lifting your spirit, also glad to see you came back,fun to watch you bite/nibble on them toes.
I had the same surgery less than a week after starting NOBO in '03. I took a week off and went back to hiking without a problem, keeping it to ten miles or so a day for a few days. I hope things go as well for you.
orangebug
12-25-2006, 23:31
Somehow, I wouldn't offer a lot of confidence in advice from someone called "Dirtnap." It prolly is reasonable, but something just doesn't seem right. :rolleyes:
cutman11
12-26-2006, 15:10
The reason for the "No Hiking with a pack" restriction for 6 weeks (or in general, no lifting more than 10-15 lb for 6 weeks after hernia surgery) is to lessen the risk of a recurrent hernia. Certainly, one can lift (or hike with a pack) prior to the 6 week convalescence period, but at a slightly higher risk of tearing the repair and then having to go back and do the surgery again. So, you just have to ask yourself..Do You Feel Lucky Punk, Do Ya?..just had to get in the Clint Eastwood quote...LOL...no really, you just have to ask yourself if you feel the chance of recurrence is worth taking.
In the situation mentioned, I think if you are already on the trail, and dont want to end your chance of completing the thru hike, and you are VERY Careful about lifting for that first 6 weeks after the surgery, then you will probably do fine. BUT its not likely that the surgeon is going to give you the stamp of approval on that, as then if you do get a recurrence he risks you blaming it on his "bad" advise to go ahead and lift prematurely.
RadioFreq
12-26-2006, 16:57
If laproscopic surgery is an option I can't recommend it highly enough. Had it done that way for both my gall bladder and a hernia. Down time is radically reduced from going under the knife. As a matter of fact I had my hernia surgery at 11am and was at the bar (drinking soda) with the softball team that same evening. :eek: I didn't have to take any of the super-zippy pain medicine I picked up when I left the clinic. :(
And as others are quick to point out on a number of other subjects on WB, YMMV. :-?
I went to see the surgeon today about my Embilical hernia, told him I'm planning to thru hike starting in March 07. He said someday he was going to do the same and had a friend who thrued and one who is doing sections. I also told him I had pain in my groin area. Well it seems I also have a left Inguinal hernia to. So the plan is to have surgery on Jan 17th and have both fixed at the same time. I still plan to try my thru starting in March, he said shouldn't be a problem. You know whats weird, funny,strange- my maps show up when i find out about the embilical hernia and today my Squall 2 tent shows up when i find out about the inguinal hernia. Glad, I have all my major equipment, my body can't take anymore equipment orders. LOL Yea I know sick humor.
batman200717
12-28-2006, 21:48
hey there i just had a hernia surgery on the 19th and the doc's didnt say anything about hindering my thru hike starting in april get it done and work on recovery i am feeling pretty good after 9 days slow but sure. i am taking it easy, feeling my body. i got the whole 4-6 weeks deal i figured get it done so i wont have any probs on the trail. and the hernia was inguinal so there is my experience.
buckowens
01-02-2007, 09:32
I agree with Weary as I had an umbilical as well. I am an Army pilot and our medicals are pretty thorough to say the least. The Flight Doc and my personal Doc all said that if it did not bother me, don't do anything.
I went to a surgeon recommended by my personal Doc, and he reaffirmed the others. I told him that I was supposed to deploy overseas, and did not want some "Army" doctor cutting on me, to which he replied that he was an Army doctor in the Reserves. Open mouth, insert foot...
What I meant was that you have no control over who operates on you in a place like Kosovo, and you may get a bad Doc here and there. He never let me forget the comment.:o
Well, I will have surgery at 8:00am tomorrow to fix both of my hernias. Things happen for a reason, what this one is, I don't know? But I still plan to thru hike--starting 8 weeks from tomorrow. Man am i going to be crawling along the trail, please do not step on me as you pass. LOL
For what its worth I survived both surgeries. Thank You for checking on me. Bye
Two Speed
01-19-2007, 21:04
Okey doke, now all you got to do is take your doctor's advice, play it cool for a couple of weeks and then you can head out! :banana
Get some rest and get ready for your hike. Glad you made it past the surgery part. Better that you adressed it before your vacation than during.:sun
They told me to get up and walk today. So I walked 1/2 mile with my hiking poles around the house. More or less a shuffle than a walk, but it made me feel better. Drugs--got to love them.
orangebug
01-20-2007, 09:26
I did the same thing post back surgery. Neighbors prolly thought me crazy with the poles on the street, but they really helped. Plus, I was thrilled over the knowledge that I was speeding up the erosion of the sidewalk.
Keep moving.