Last Updated on November 4, 2014 by Heather Hart, ACSM EP, CSCS
The human body fascinates me. It also kind of frightens me.
My boyfriends awesome sister told me once that she is terrified of the concept of outer-space; how the thought of what exactly exists outside of all of the known universes, if anything exists at all, will keep her up at night. This is how I feel about the human body. I have logged countless hours and University credits studying biology, chemistry, human anatomy, and physiology. I understand how our bodies evolve from two single cells into the 32.7 trillion cells it takes to form a recognizable “human”, but I’m still baffled by the process. Mostly, I’m astounded that things don’t go wrong far more often than they already do, not only in the intricate process of forming a human body, but in maintaining the function of that body for the rest of our lives…especially with all of the ridiculous things we subject ourselves to.
Despite the incredibly complex processes our bodies are undergoing every second of every day to keep us alive, most of us take our health for granted.
Until, of course, something goes wrong. And as you probably gathered by the title of this post, something has indeed gone wrong. It has certainly been awhile since I shared a “more than you needed to know about Heather” post, so let me fill you in on the gory details. But first, let’s go back.
Six years and one month ago I looked like this:
6 years and 74 lbs later, I look like this:
Crazy, right? This, of course, did not happen without complete and utter destruction to my midsection. In addition to a ton of extra skin (hidden quite well by the angle of the above picture) I developed what is known as diastasis recti, or basically, when the left and right sides of your rectus abdominis (your abs) separate and don’t go back together.
Exhibit A:
This is actually a quite common occurrence among pregnant women. Many heal on their own, some heal with specific exercises and physical therapy, others require surgery. I have been lucky enough to have reduced my DR down to 2 finger widths (yes, you measure by sticking your fingers in the gap, just another pleasant motherhood side effect!) through living a very active lifestyle, and probably a little bit of genetic luck.
BUT…the 2 finger width gap is still indeed there, and most recently through said gap has come…my intestines. Otherwise known as a hernia. Apparently another common medical malady among the human race, especially…you guessed it…moms of multiple pregnancies. (I’ll spare you the pictures of the hernia itself). A classic case of “things you don’t ever expect to happen…until they do”, this hernia has created a bit of a speed-bump in my life. And as mentioned above, it is something that can seemingly happen so easily to the human body, it’s amazing that this hasn’t happened to me sooner.
Those of you who are friends with me on Facebook may have seen me post about a “cleanse” type diet I took part in over the last few weeks. The reason was not for weight loss or “detoxing” or anything like that, but instead to help reduce bloat in my gut, as the bloating causes the hernia to protrude, which as you can imagine, is wildly uncomfortable. And it has indeed work, for the most part.
Now, if you Google absolutely everything you can about your medical condition, because clearly that’s what a sane person does while waiting for surgical consultation, you will most certainly find all of the advice, founded and unfounded, that you don’t want to hear. In my case, it’s the fact that exercise, specifically heavy lifting, exasperates umbilical hernias.
In the words of 2013 meme-superstar- Kimberly “Sweet Brown” Wilkins, “Ain’t nobody got time fo that.”
(yes, I went there.)
So, here I am, patiently waiting for some insurance details to be updated, and carefully experimenting with what I can and cannot do, in order to avoid making the intestine pop out. Running: good. Air squats: bad, even though the mighty internet said they should be alright. Interestingly enough, crunches, when done with proper form, don’t bother me nor the hernia at all, though most core exercises, specifically crunches, are deemed no-nos. Not exercising is simply not an option, so the next few weeks will be touch and go, no doubt about it.
Thank you, hernia, for waiting until after race season was over to make your presence known. I truly appreciate it.
So, there’s that bit of “too much information” for you for this week. I’ll keep you updated because, after all, what are blogs good for if we can’t keep tabs on other people’s protruding guts ? On a serious note, if you’ve ever had an umbilical hernia (and more specifically, the corrective surgery that goes with it), I’d love to hear from you.
Heather Hart is an ACSM certified Exercise Physiologist, NSCA Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS), UESCA certified Ultrarunning Coach, RRCA certified Running Coach, co-founder of Hart Strength and Endurance Coaching, and creator of this site, Relentless Forward Commotion. She is a mom of two teen boys, and has been running and racing distances of 5K to 100+ miles for over a decade. Heather has been writing and encouraging others to find a love for fitness and movement since 2009.
Mindi Fried
I feel like the Bloggess went through this recently. I’ll try to find the link.
Mindi Fried
http://thebloggess.com/tag/hernia/ a-ha! There’s links to several other posts before and after surgery as well.
Mindi Fried
http://thebloggess.com/2014/06/ohmygod-what-is-that/ after the surgery.
Heather
Awesome, thank you TT!
Lea Kramer
I would like to see a picture of the hernia because sometimes I think I have this. It feels like my stomach is trying to escape my ribs.
Heather
Next time it pops out (usually at the end of the day, when I’m done feeding, lol) I’ll take a picture and send it to you Lea!
Lea Kramer
Thank you!!
Robyn
I have a small one that I got diagnosed, got a surgery referral for, and am now trying to ignore — exercise doesn’t seem to affect it, but gut bloat does. Luckily, paleo = no bloat. Yet another benefit!
The Bloggess recently had one diagnosed and fixed and reading about that was enough to persuade me to try and live with it. Here are some of her posts on it:
http://thebloggess.com/2014/05/belly-button/
http://thebloggess.com/2014/06/im-turning-bionic-i-think/
http://thebloggess.com/2014/06/ohmygod-what-is-that/
http://thebloggess.com/2014/06/theres-a-moment/
That said, if you need it, you need it. I would certainly look for a surgeon who’s done lots of them and understands your lifestyle and what you want in the way of functionality when it’s done.
Good luck to you!
Heather
holy cow…that is far more invasive and terrifying than everything I’ve read. Now I’m second guessing as well. :/
Robyn
That was my response too! I was going to try and get it done when they took the hardware out of my elbow at the end of last season, but hardware came out early, and it stopped bugging me, and … then I read that.
I’m taking it as a reminder that surgery is surgery, and even if it’s minor, minimally invasive, robotic, same-day, whatever… it’s absolutely worth doing if you need it but it *can* have complications and knock you on your ass.
Heather
Very, very good point. So you have zero issues with exercise Robyn? I’ve been very hesitant the past week, but as the bloat goes down with the new diet, and thus the hernia isn’t protruding, I’m wondering if that will affect my ability to do things in the gym. Ideally, I’d love to heal the diastasis recti 100% on my own, but 6 years later, I’m semi convinced this is as good as it’s going to get :/
Robyn
I have had zero issues with exercise (mostly running, Olympic weights, kettlebell, yoga, biking) but I certainly might have a smaller hernia than you. I bet you have a killer core, but wonder whether there are PT-type exercises that specifically address diastasis that might help?
Robyn
I’m certainly not trying to talk you out of doing it if you need it. Not being able to exercise is an obvious deal-breaker, right? But if there are things to try before surgery (PT? diet stuff? no idea) or if it’s only occasionally annoying, I might sit on it a bit.
Heather
If my career were anything OTHER than fitness, it might not be a deal breaker, but at the moment it is. I am having issues showing clients how to do exercises, when I can’t even do them myself for fear of popping the intestine out. I’m certainly going to try other solutions first, if for no other reason than I have to wait for the insurance changes to take hold before I can do anything about it anyway, haha! 🙂
Robyn
Good point! Best of luck to you in getting straightened out, one way or another!
Heather
Thank you Robyn! And thanks for sharing your experience! 🙂
Rachel
Oh wow! I had no idea that could happen. Thank you for sharing your experience and being so open with your readers!!
Heather
You are welcome! Growing human beings comes with slew of mysterious issues not many people are open to talking about. I’m a science nerd, so it doesn’t really phase me too much ! Thank you for reading 🙂
Colorado Gal
Oh man. So much fun to look forward to when I have children one day 🙂 Hope it all works out for you!
joannamurnan
Ugh, NOT fun! I had (have?) diastasis recti from my 1st pregnancy with my daughter. She’s now 16 months old and I’m pregnant again – I’m a bit frightened that it’s going to get worse with this new baby. Hope you’re feeling better soon!
Mindy @ Road Runner Girl
Oh so sorry Heather! I know this isn’t fun! I was told after having my two boys that I have basically no abs. Not sure if mine have separated like that or not. Wishing you well wishes girl!
Katrina
Oh my goodness! No kids yet here either so I’m like WHATTTT?!!
Heather
Haha, yeah, there’s a lot people don’t tell you 😉
Kelly @ Cupcake Kelly's
File under: things people never tell you prior to having kids. Good luck with the healing, I hope the diet is helping and you can get back to 100% soonish.
Michael
Hi from Australia, love your blog it is very helpful. I am 4 days into an umbilical hernia repair. Doctor said a single stitch would be enough but he felt placing mesh the size of a postage stamp would reduce the chance of the hernia reoccurring. I was complaining to the surgical nurse that I was prepared to take the risk of having another procedure if necessary but she said that stitches are still considered a foreign body and leave the muscles stretched under tension and increases the chance of requiring a mesh repair later on. The surgery was uneventful. The mesh that I have is not under tension. My recovery has been good, some pain and swelling but I find walking around the block a couple of times a day is helpful. Moving is good because the scar tissue must bind with the mesh and maintaining a full range of normal motion reduces the chance for further problems down the track. I don’t want to have trouble standing straight later on.
Aks
Hi Heather.. I had some questions regarding the hernia. Currently having it and waiting for the surgery to happen.
Where can I post my questions? Any email? Didn’t find ur id..
sarah
I was just looking up umbilical hernias and came across this. I developed an umbilical hernia while preg wit my 2nd son Milo who was born may 5, 2016. He’s perfect but I got this golf ball size bulge to the right of my belly button. It bothers me at times but I’m scared of surgery. Will it get worse if I just leave it there? I got a 7yr old n 6 month old..single parent wit no help and a job as a bartender. So I guess I’m scared of the recovery or wat I’d be limited to or how long. I’d love to hear from reg ppl wit real responses other than Google info myself ..I like to here the truth and real deal from ppl that’s been thru it. Thx for listening.
Clair
I am 3 days post umbilical hernia surgery! Hate not being able to do a lot as I’m normally very active. I also have 2 boys that are 3 & 5 and very active…hard to explain why mummy can suddenly not do anything with them!!
I’m a keen runner and have signed up for s half marathon in March, is this pushing it do you think??!
Evan
Hi Heather, you are hearing from me because I’ve had umbilical hernia surgery, and you requested the hearing from. My hernia was, small, just fatty, and tame in comparison. I went for the open, but mesh-less surgery, motivated in preventing a larger problem later on. Though I’ve felt fully recovered for a few months, I was surprised yesterday when the painful sensation returned 11 months later. I’m trying to pinpoint the source…scar tissue? I also struggle with too much sitting around, and the hernia pain is killing my enthusiasm for participating in a ski mountaineering race in a month. I’m nervously googling this issue, hoping to solve the problem without more knife & recovery time. I am about to call some docs and park my bicycle this morning. Thank you for the bloating tip, as I’ve never considered this side of it. Great blog, keep up the fun!
Ranjith Powell
Hi. I have an umbilical hernia repaired with mesh 7 wks ago. I am looking to return to my favorite sport windsurfing. Would love to compare notes as we both intensify our chosen sports. Thanks, ranjith
Debbie
Thanks for your story! I go for surgery 1/26… I’ve put it off too long as it is. Now it can’t come fast enough.
Question: Did you ever feel burning in the hernia area before surgery?
jellis
I am 63 and about to have the surgery myself. I’ve had a small bump in my belly button after my 8lb baby girl ( which came after my 7lb baby boy years earlier) when I was in my late 20s. It was no big deal then, and male doctors would just keep saying “Until it gets bigger and turns purple, you don’t need surgery”. It has gotten bigger over the years, and another smaller one showing up above my bellybutton. Near the end of last year, I started getting pains near my hernia and the hernia was very sensitive to the touch. My male doctor finally said maybe you should get that taken care of and referred me to a female surgeon. Finally! someone who understands what I am going through. Next month is my surgery and I am excited and nervous. I’ve been through other surgeries like one on my foot. I am hoping for a speedy recovery but letting my boss know it may take longer than we were hoping for. Not athletic but I don’t like to just sit around either.
Donna Burnett Maag
Hello!
I had an umbilical hernia surgery 3 1/2 weeks ago, and I do believe that something has gone awry. The pain in my upper left abdomen where one of the incisions was made for Laparoscopic surgery is in pain as if I have a pinched nerve in there. The original site of the hernia near my bellybutton seems to be healing OK, but a pain in the upper left side of my abdomen has almost led me to believe that I have another hernia up there. The doctor’s nurse said told me that that is highly unlikely. However, no one’s really checked.
Also, there is a protrusion in that area that looks like a cucumber lying on its side. That is disturbing, not to mention unattractive. The nurse just tells me to take 800 mg of ibuprofen every six hours and take more laxatives, which I have done for the last 2 1/2 weeks. Are you even supposed to do that for that long? ??Very, very frustrating!
My follow up appointment with my doctor is coming up in [email protected] couple of days, and I want to insist that they do another scan to see what is going on in there. Does that make me a problem patient? My mother died of gangrene due to a perforation in her bowel. Does that make me a bad person that I want to make sure I don’t go in the same way?
Anyway, that is my story so far. Now I am thinking that I might have separated the muscles with my large belly when I was pregnant with my one child. Apparently, I have had this problem for 16 years and didn’t even know it. I thought my stomach was hurting due to stress. Now that I finally found out what it was and had the operation, I am having complications. But at least I know what was causing the issues, now I just need to fix the complications.
Love your blog! It’s been a huge comfort and help to me! Thank you very much! Best of luck with your healthy future!
Heather
Hey there! I don’t think it makes you a bad person, it makes you proactive in your health! Exactly one week after my second surgery, I was convinced my hernia had come back too. Not only was there a large protrusion under my belly button at the old hernia site, but I was in pain. I ended up in the hospital where they did a scan, and found out it was a sarcoma (fluid/scar tissue from the surgery). It was a HUGE relief off of my shoulders to know it wasn’t another hernia. So I say, if you are concerned, seek a second opinion. Don’t worry about being a hassle. It’s your body and you are your #1 advocate! Best of luck to you !!
Leona Coburn
I am having a surgical consult for my hernia tomorrow.
D
This doesnt tell me anything that i dnt already know. My story I had a small umbilical after my 1st child 8 yrs ago (felt strange for along time found out about the hernia right before i got pregnant with my 2nd ) This last pregnacy i gained 40lbs due to having serious back/ nerve conditions and im not very thin , the point is with the last 2 pregnancies my umbilical hernia grew or stretched and feels the SIZE OF A GOLFBALL, with this last pregnacy at 8 weeks , it felt like something was moving and pulling inside( i didnt realize it was the hernia pulling until much later in the pregancy because early on drs tried to say its the muscles etc that are expanding during pregancy ) This time i have a semi gap and the extra skin as talked about. My stomach went down a bit but compared to after having my 1st 2 kids i still look pregnant,even after giving birth 2months ago . Anyway , What I would like to know is if anyone went through this or if there ever should be another pregancy for me ( but 3 as a single parent is enough) how much bigger would the hernia get or stretch and could it kill me at this point.???.
(If anyone wondered why i have never gotten my hernia repaired yet well , there are several surgeries i may need besides this but with no one to take care of me and my kids so im trying to avoid surgeries and trying anything else i can that may help in meantime).
Ps to anyone who may not know but want more children and have any hernias do not get the hernia repaired until youre completly sure youre done having kids because it will break the repair if you have more children after it is fixed . Also to those who think they have the gap if you flex your stomach and see a bulge or if you feel between your chest down( a gap is present) then you have whats being discussed in the post , however maytimes the hernia wont cause the gap unless youve had multiple children and the muscles do not close up after having kids. Also with an umbilical hernia may feel a slight bulge even if you do not have the gap
Lisa Garcia
Did you get your diastasis fixed at the same time as the hernia? I’m told if the diastasis isn’t fixed you could get another hernia but my insurance will only cover the hernia surgery and not the diastasis repair!