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UMBILICAL HERNIA

What is an Umbilical Hernia?

A hernia occurs when part of your insides bulges through an opening or weakness in the muscle or tissue that contains it.

Most hernias involve one of your abdominal organs pushing through one of the walls of your abdominal cavity.

Hernias can occur gradually as you get older and regular wear and tear on your muscles begins to add up.

They can also result from an injury, surgery or birth disorder.

A hernia can be repaired in different ways and involves an incision to the skin overlying the hernia.

The bulge is pushed back and the weak part of the muscle strengthened. The incision is then closed with dissolvable sutures.

Under the Community Surgical Scheme a hernia repair is only performed under a local anaesthetic.

However not all hernias are suitable for repair under local anaesthetic and a general anaesthetic may be necessary for some patients, If this is confirmed to be the case, your GP will arrange a referral into Secondary care.

It is perfectly safe to have a small umbilical hernia. These hernias are more common if you are overweight, and you are advised to lose weight prior to any surgery.

They are also common in people who have a chronic cough. After getting your weight down to normal, you may find any discomfort
from your hernia has stopped, and surgery may no longer be necessary.

Uncommonly, these hernias can enlarge to plum or even grapefruit size, when they may result in weakness and thinning of the skin
over them, or development of a strangulated hernia.

Pre- operative assessment:

On receipt of your referral we will arrange to see for a Pre-operative assessment.

You will be seen by the Surgeon, who will ask you questions relating to your past medical history and any medications you may be taking. The surgeon will examine you so that a diagnosis can be confirmed.

If a procedure is not required, you will be advised of this by the Surgeon who will inform the GP who referred you to this service.

If a procedure is necessary and can be performed under a local anaesthetic, this will be discussed with you at the consultation.

You will also discuss any pain relieving medication that will be required following your procedure. Please ensure that you obtain the
pain medication prior to your admission so that you have this at home on discharge.

Our team will contact you shortly after the consultation to arrange your actual procedure appointment, if it is necessary for you to stop
taking medication prior to your procedure, you will be sent instructions along with your appointment confirmation and any other relevant instructions.

Your appointment will take approximately 60 minutes.

Prior to your procedure:

You may eat and drink up to two hours prior to your admission.

You are advised not to bring any valuables with you during your stay as we are unable to take responsibility for these.

Please do not wear jewellery other than a wedding band.

You may be asked to shave the area, if so please do this 24 Hrs before your appointment.

You must arrange for someone to drive you home following your procedure. You will be on the unit for approximately 90 minutes in
total.

If your surgeon told you sedation will be use during the procedure, you will also need to have a responsible adult who can stay with you for 24 hours following your discharge home. It is important that you do not drive, operate machinery, sign any important legal
documents or drink alcohol for 24 hours, as your judgement will be slightly impaired and reactions much slower. You will be asked to share the information of the person who will be responsible for looking after you following your discharge home.

Following your procedure:

You will be able to go home approximately 30 minutes following your procedure.

A member of the Nursing Team will discuss your aftercare information with you and answer any concerns or questions you may have.

You are likely to tire easily for the first few weeks following your procedure. Resting at regular intervals is advisable. You will gradually improve so that you have regained your usual level of activity within four to six weeks following your procedure.

On discharge, you will receive some information regarding your rehabilitation.

You are advised not to drive for approximately three weeks. It is important before driving for the first time that you feel confident that you can reverse and perform an emergency stop.

You are advised to refrain from work for approximately two to six weeks depending on the nature of the work you do.

You should be able to return to desk work after two weeks and any non-manual work within two to four weeks. You should not
undertake heavy work for four to six weeks. f you need a fit note then contact your regular GP.

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