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

Question

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????

Mahlon Kerr, MD, FACS · Answer

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

J. Jason Wendel, MD, FACS · Answer

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.

Matthew Schulman, MD · Answer

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 and am happy to see you in my office for a free consultation.

Armando Soto, MD, FACS · Answer

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 around the belly button.

Peter E. Johnson, MD · Answer

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,Peter Johnson, MD

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

Answers (8)