Can I Still Get Surgery on my Belly Button if I Plan on Having More Kids?

I had my first baby 7 months ago. During pregnancy, my OB said I had a possible hernia and to keep an eye on my belly button. Now that I've lost all my baby weight, and have been working out,my stomach is getting flatter and flatter, but my belly button is officially a big outtie belly button. It feels extremely strange when I press on it, like little grains or pebbles underneath the skin and its uncomfortable. There is no way I can wait another 5 years to get surgery, can I get it done now????

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belly button hernia repair planning for pregnancy

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8 Doctor Answers | Asked by LI mom of 1 in Babylon, NY

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Umbilical Hernias and Tummy Tucks.

Yes you can get your umbilical hernia fixed. This is usually done by a general surgeon although some plastic surgeons do this procedure as well. An umbilical hernia can be repaired as part of a tummy tuck surgery or other abdominal rejuvenation like liposuction or can be done alone. I would talk with a general surgeon or a plastic surgeon that your OB recommends to see what options are available for you. Best of Luck, Dr. Kerr

Mahlon Kerr, MD

16 reviews

Austin Plastic Surgeon

Belly button hernia and having more kids.

Yes, you can get an umbilical (belly button) hernia fixed now before having children. It is probably best to wait for a tummy tuck until you are done having kids. Also, it is possible for the hernia to come back in the future, especially when you have more kids. But this is the risk you'll have to take for the blessing of children. See at least two or more plastic surgeons in your area to discuss in detail. I hope this helps.

Belly Button Surgery

It sounds like you have an umbilical hernia. This can be performed using only local anesthesia in my office with minimal recovery time. It is not necessary to wait until you have another child. The advantage of having a plastic surgeon repair the hernia is that he/she can also remove the excess skin of the belly button and make it look better. This is called an umbilicoplasty. I am sure that if you google umbilicoplasty in New York, you will find that I am among the most experienced... more

Umbillical Hernia After Pregnancy

Umbillical hernias are common occurences with the stretching of the abdominal wall with pregnancy. A large umbillical hernia is ironically less of a risk than a small one. A small hernia has a greater chance of having intra abdominal tissue become trapped and unable to escape. Tissue swelling can cut off the blood supply creating an emergency need for repair to prevent tissue death. So it might be prudent to repair your hernia but put off the tummy tuck... more

Umbilical hernia after pregnancy

Umbilical hernias are fairly common with pregnancy and it is worth waiting for them to resolve on their own. If the hernia persists it can be repaired, and you might want to before your next pregnancy. No reason to wait as long as five years. Best of luck, peterejohnsonmd.com

Umbilical Hernia Repair with or without Tummy tuck

Hi there- Dr. Aldea gives an excellent description of umbilical hernias, and I agree that while this is not an emergency, you should consider repair. If you are certain you will be having more children, I would not proceed with Tummy Tuck until your family is complete- so while these types of hernias can be easily repaired at the time of your tummy tuck, you may be better off if it will be that long before your family is complete having it repaired through a small incision... more

Umbilical Hernia. Shall I repair it with or without a Tummy Tuck?

It sounds like you have an umbilical hernia. The point in the belly where the blood vessels from the umbilical cord pentrated your abdomen allowing you to receive nutrients and oxygen from your mother in the womb is a potential point of weakness. In some people this area is somewhat larger and pressure inside the abdomen literally pushes the intraabdominal lining along with several potential abdominal contents including a segment of intestine. A small ventral hernia need not be... more

Belly Button Surgery Prior to Having More Kids?

Thank you for the question. Based on your description and your OB/GYN's comments I think you are probably dealing with an umbilical hernia. You should be examined; it an umbilical hernia is present, you should have it repaired in the near future. Since you are planning on having further pregnancies, I would suggest that you delay tummy tucked surgery until you have completed pregnancies. However, your umbilical hernia should be addressed now.... more