Can Umbilical Hernias Come Back?

Umbilical hernias can recur.  The recurrence rate is higher for larger hernias fixed with sutures alone.  I would suggest to your physician using a mesh plug for larger defects.

Thank you for your question.Hernias can always recur. The key is to follow your post-op instructions and allow it to heal completely before doing any abdominal exercises.

Good question!All hernia repairs are vulnerable to failure. The rate of occurrence is low, but real. Umbilical hernias are repaired by bringing the strong connective tissues that line the muscles together with sutures. The sutures are not expected to last forever. We rely on the formation of a strong scar down deep to provide a permanent correction. If in the early stages of healing (The first couple of months) you strain hard and put pressure on the repair, the tissue may stretch and the hernia will return. I would avoid pushing hard when using the bathroom, and any other strenuous core activities. Hopefully if you give yourself some time to heal, you will never have to worry about the hernia again. BestMatthew C Camp