Women's Hernia Surgery

Without knowing much about your diagnosis, it's hard to really answer. I had unbilical hernia repair surgery 3 years ago but it was in my abdomenal area. A reconstructive surgeon diagnosed me after 2 years of asking my general practitioners what it could be. She and a general surgeon did the 4 hour surgery together. He repaired the damage to my abdominal wall and putting stuff back where it was supposed to be and she repaired the damage that had been done to my abdominal muscles. I have never heard of a woman having the inguinal kind and didnt find much on my internet search either. Have you asked for a referal to general surgery?

It all depends what type on hernia you have...I actually have 2 umbilical and 1 inguinal(sp?)...When I was pregnant w/my 3rd daughter I kept telling my doc something was wrong and they kept insisting that there wasnt b/c inguinal hernias are not common to women. I have yet to have mine repaired(have had the umbilical ones for 6 years-just afraid to be knocked out), but you can safely do it while you are pregnant. The thing is, depending on what type of hernia it may be pointless to do it b/c of all the changes you go through during your pregnancy....most important if you dont like the surgeon SWITCH!!! You can email me if you have any other questions and i can try to help as best as I can. Good luck!

J.,

I just sent out a request for the same thing. My doctor I went to was suggested by my obgyn and he is in Illinois Masonic. I was a little hesitant about him as well.
I am suppose to have surgery on my hernia. Basically my hernia was caused by too tight of stomach muscles (which I didn't know I had). My doctor explained it as when you're pregnant and your muscles begin to stretch, the weakest point of your stomach is at the disadvantage to pull apart or tear. She said the weakest point in most people is at your belly button, and that is why women's belly button's pop. Mine popped at about 2 months-which is not normal, although I thought it was cute, until 9 months and it was disgusting!
You run the risk of your intestines getting pushed through, and if any "substance" passing through your intestines, gets caught in the hernia, you run the risk of infection.
She suggested I have surgery, but the surgeon wanted and was able to do the surgery the following week. He only works 2 days a week and he explained the incision and I was hoping for more of a smaller incision.
If you can suggest another surgeon, or would like the information of the doctor I went to, please let me know.
The heavier my son gets, the worse it bothers me. Good luck.

I'm actually going in on Monday for repair/surgery for an umbilical hernia that I've had for several years. During my second pregnancy I also had an inguinal hernia. I finally went in to see a surgeon when I was about 7 months pregnant. She said that there was nothing I could do, while pregnant, but to come in again after delivery. I just went in last week......no inguinal hernia. She seems to think that I may have a weak area, and with everything expanding during pregnancy, the "hole" got bigger resulting in the hernia, then after the baby, everything got smaller, as did the "hole"......no more hernia. She suggested not moving forward with the operation for the inguinal hernia, as I have had no symptoms since delivery. Anyway, I've been really happy with the surgeon and would be happy to pass along a name if you're interested. She's in Wheaton.

Best of luck......I know it can be extremely painful at times!