What is the difference between a ventral hernia and umbilical?

Question

My surgeon destroyed my belly button repairing a small ventral umbilical hernia. I'm very upset; he said he would make a small incision and repair it "with one stitch" but my made my torso short and fat and the back pain I'm feeling 1 mth after surgery is much worse, plus the pain from the sutures in my umbilicus. Why didn't he make a ventral incision?

Robert M. Tornambe, MD · Answer

greyghost I’m sorry, but I am a bit confused. Did you only have an umbilical hernia repaired by a general surgeon or was this part of a tummytuck operation performed by a board-certified plastic surgeon? If this was the result of a general surgery procedure, I would wait about six months and then consult with a board-certified plastic surgeon to evaluate options to improve your tummy and abdominal wall. Come see me or another board certified plastic surgeon in the area for a full evaluation. Good luck.

Nelson Castillo, MD · Answer

Thank you for sharing your excellent question.  An umbilical hernia is a type of ventral hernia but not all ventral hernias are umbilical.  Without photos it is difficult to offer definite advice and I would continue to work with your surgeon about your concerns so that the best treatment recommendation can be offered.

Aldo Guerra, MD · Answer

I appreciate your concerns and I'm sorry you're having these issues. I suggest you continue to discuss the issue with your plastic surgeon and perhaps with additional healing time, the belly button will improve. If you're not satisfied, then consider a second opinion. Umbilical hernias occur around the belly button and ventral hernias are typically located more superiorly than the belly button.

Tom J. Pousti, MD · Answer

I am sorry to hear about your concerns after hernia repair.   Online consultants will not be able to help you when it comes to assessment of the procedure performed and/or the rationale behind decisions that were made by your plastic surgeon.A ventral hernia by definition refers to a opening or weakness along ANY area of your abdominal wall.  Examples of different types of venture hernias include umbilical hernias, epigastric hernias incisional hernias, Spigelian hernias etc.  An umbilical hernia on the other hand refers to a specific type of ventral hernia,  involving weakness or a defect at or around the umbilicus. I hope this helps.

What is the difference between a ventral hernia and umbilical?

Answers (4)

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