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Risks if Umbilical Hernia Not Fixed?

I have a small umbilical hernia and I'm wondering, are there any risks if I don't get it fixed? Also, if I choose not to do the repair, can I train my belly button to go in on its own?

 

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4 Doctor Answers | Asked by Terri in the oc in orange
+2

Umbilical Hernia: To operate of not to operate?

How "small" is small? A hernia becomes dangeous when it is big enough to allow ANY contents to become STUCK in it (ie become INCARCERATED) or worse yet, become stuck and twisted so that blood stops flowing to the organs/tissues in the hernia (ie STRANGULATED). A large hernia is painful and tiring but things almost never get stuck in and can be pushed back in the belly (REDUCED). A REAL SMALL hernia is a small opening which does not allow things to pooch out. All the in between... more
+2

Umbilical hernia

There is no exercise that I know of that will train the belly button to go in on its on. Most general surgeons will tell you to have the umbilical hernia fixed to avoid tissue such as omentum and small bowel, which would require emergency surgery, getting stuck in the hernia. Most patients will require more then a local anesthetic to have an umbilical hernia fixed.
+1

Minimal risk with untreated umbilical hernia

There is the remote chance that some tissue could get trapped in your hernia which coulc create a medical condition.  This is very unlikely. Fixing an umbilical hernia is simple in most cases and can be done with local anesthesia. If you train your umbilicus to turn in, let me know.

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+1

Stages of a hernia and the risks: Why repair it?

You may want to try core strengthening exercises but sometimes any strain can make hernia worse. There are three stages of a hernia: Reducible: contents slide in and out of hernia. Pain comes and goes. Incarcerated: contents get stuck in hernia and often cause constant ache Strangulated: contents are constricted and blood supply is compromised causing tissue death and possible bowel rupture. Because hernias may progress from 1 to 2 to 3, we repair them at an early stage. However, some... more
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These answers are for educational purposes and should not be relied upon as a substitute for medical advice you may receive from your physician. If you have a medical emergency, please call 911. These answers do not constitute or initiate a patient/doctor relationship.

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