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Conference moira::parenting_v3

Title:	Parenting
Notice:	READ 1.27 BEFORE WRITING
Moderator:	CSC32::DUBOIS

Created:	Wed May 30 1990
Last Modified:	Tue May 27 1997
Last Successful Update:	Fri Jun 06 1997
Number of topics:	1364
Total number of notes:	23848

985.0. "Umbilical Hernia" by MR4DEC::LHOLM () Mon Jun 24 1991 16:54

    I was wondering if anyone could give me any information on Umbilical
    Hernias.  I did a dir/title= and could not find anything related to
    "umbilical" hernias.
    My daughter, now 9 months old, was born with an umbilical hernia.  
    Her pediatrician told me that surgery would need to be performed 
    when she reached two years old if it had not corrected itself before
    then or if it did not get too large.
    If you ask me, it is too large.  It really scares my husband and I.
    I know of a couple of people who's children were also born with this
    but had surgery right away.  Does this hurt her?  It is about the
    size of a 50 cent piece.  It has gotten bigger since birth, probably
    because she is starting to walk.  I checked with the pediatrician
    a couple of weeks ago and he still suggested waiting. 
    Does anyone know of a doctor/surgeon I could get a second opinion 
    from?  Should I get a second opinion or am I over reacting?  Nobody
    I talk to seems to know much about this subject.  Any suggestions,
    comments, information would be greatly appreciated.....
    
    Thanks,
    Lisa

T.R	Title	User	Date	Lines
985.1	My Son Had One Too.	TOTH::HILDEBRAND	`Mon Jun 24 1991 17:02`	13
	Lisa, My son was also borned with an umbilical Hernia. His did not seem as big as what you are describing. From what I understand, it really is not that rare and most of the time, the child outgrows it. Doug never had to have an operation. If, however, it is bothering you, do have a second opinion. It is worth the piece of mind. Darlene
985.2	pointer to an old discussion	TIPTOE::STOLICNY	`Mon Jun 24 1991 17:08`	5
	You might want to check out Topic #299 ("umbilical hernias") in PARENTING_V2 for an earlier discussion on this topic. Carol
985.3	3 for the price of 2	GAZERS::SAMBERG	`Tue Jun 25 1991 10:38`	10
	My son had his umbilical hernia fixed when he had his hydrocele/inguinal hernias fixed. I probably wouldn't have had it fixed otherwise, but the surgeon suggested fixing it as Matthew would already been under for the others. He had it done when he was 4. He was much more uncomfortable from the umbilical hernia repair than the other ones, but his discomfort only lasted a couple of days. Eileen
985.4	get a second opinion	BSS::C_BOUTCHER	`Tue Jun 25 1991 12:07`	9
	If you have any questions about the health of your child, you should ALWAYS feel free to get a second opinion. It would be good for you to be able to get more information on an umbilical hernia in notes files, but no one here can give you a recommendation about what to do or not do. See a second doctor ... get a second opinion. Good luck Chuck
985.5	It's generally day surgery.	JAWS::TRIPP	`Fri Aug 02 1991 15:58`	17
	FWIW, most every insurance require second opinions for almost every surgery, but especially things like hernias. From my observations, it is for the most part done as a "Day Surgery", one of those in by 7am out by noon type things, and pain is generally treated with simple tylenol. Fortunately we've had no personal experience with this, but a couple times the surgeon has admitted a child, and we've had an ovenight roommate, after a hernia operation. Ususally by breakfast the next morning the kid is famished and acting much like himself. Since I'm quite a bit behind on notes, I hope you've found a solution. If you're in MA, contact me off line and I'd be happy to give you the names of some surgeons I've had experience with. Lyn
985.6	REALLY NO BIG DEAL!	CSCOAC::GREGORY_C	`Fri Aug 09 1991 17:50`	13
	My daughter developed her umbilical hernia when she was about 4-5 months old. They discovered it at daycare and it was pretty big- they My husband and I not knowing the first thing about it rushed her to the childrens hospital. They said it should go away by the time she was two and if it didn't then we should have it fixed. The doctors always kept a close eye on it, making sure it wasn't getting bigger- when she cried it would get extremely BIG! She's now two and it still looks puffy and you can still feel a very small hole there- but no one seems concerned. It never seemed to bother her at all. Cindy
985.7	Me too	OK4ME::PILOTTE	`Wed Oct 16 1991 11:54`	5
	I had an umbilical hernia when I was 32!!! It was day surgery and I was home by dinner time. I dont come out of anesthesia very well ! :-) It fixed the pain that I was having and Im glad that I did it. regards, Judy (I am now 36)
985.8	Lap surgery for some hernias	MCIS5::TRIPP	`Wed Oct 16 1991 13:36`	19
	I saw something on the news over the weekend that they are repairing, at least for now, the hernias in the groin with laparascopic laser surgery. The report said what used to be a major surgery with incision and several day stay in the hospital with major pain, is now day surgery with three 1/2" incisions, and you can resume normal activity within days, not weeks as previously done. The report showed an older teen shooting baskets within 3 days of his surgery. I wonder if this technique would work with the umbilical hernia. I have developed a hernia at the point just where the ribs come together between the breasts, it is probably a result of so much morning sickness only months after having gall bladder surgery, it's at the top point of the scar. If this technique is available I may consider having it finally taken care of. Lyn (who give treatment better than she takes it!)