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Umbilical hernia repair - Recovery

After the Procedure:

Most umbilical hernia repairs are done on an outpatient basis, which means that you will likely go home on the same day. Some repairs may require a short hospital stay if the hernia is very large.

After surgery, your doctor and nurse will monitor your vital signs (pulse, blood pressure, and breathing). You will stay in the recovery area until you are stable. Your doctor will prescribe pain medicine if you need it.

Your doctor or nurse will show you how to care for your or your child' s incision at home. You or your child should be able to do all of your normal activities in 2 - 4 weeks.

Click here to see a video about after your child's umbilical hernia repair.

Outlook (Prognosis):

There is always a chance that the hernia can come back. However, for healthy patients, the risk of it coming back is very low.

Umbilical hernia repair - series

Reviewed last on: 1/24/2011
Shabir Bhimji, MD, PhD, Specializing in General Surgery, Cardiothoracic and Vascular Surgery, Midland, TX. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

References

Warner BW. Pediatric surgery. In: Townsend CM, Beauchamp RD, Evers BM, Mattox KL, eds. Sabiston Textbook of Surgery. 18th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier; 2007:chap 71.

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