Keeping It Together: Innovations In Abdominal Muscle Repair
As with any tissue, when there is unanticipated abdominal pressure, whether due to heavy lifting, chronic coughing, aging, thoracic cavity weakness from previous surgery, obesity, pregnancy, or congenital conditions that may have existed since birth, it is not uncommon for part of the intestine or abdominal tissue to protrude through the abdominal wall near the belly button (referred to in medical terminology as the “umbilicus”).
Abdominal Hernia Symptoms
Symptoms resulting from an umbilical hernia can range from uncomfortable to life-threatening and should be quickly dealt with by your doctor. Symptoms generally include a visible bulge or protrusion near the belly button, combined with pain and discomfort when straining, coughing, lifting, or bending over. In extreme cases, nausea and vomiting can occur if the hernia itself becomes strangulated. Such a situation constitutes and life-threatening emergency, which is why umbilical hernias should be diagnosed early to determine the most appropriate treatment methods.
Abdominal Hernia Treatment
Easily confirmed via imaging tests, including ultrasounds and CT scans, the size and severity of an umbilical hernia can be accurately assessed, and a treatment approach established. While lifestyle modifications can be effective in allowing for monitoring smaller umbilical hernias, for those who are not in a position to limit their mobility, surgery is often the best option. In the past, a technique known as “open repair” was used regularly to cure umbilical hernias. This approach is still often used by hospitals, whereby an incision is made near the umbilicus and repaired by sutures and mesh.
WellBridge Surgical has maintained a leadership role in laparoscopic umbilical hernia surgery. This is a minimally invasive procedure that uses small incisions and a camera (a “laparoscope”) to visualize and repair the hernia using sutures and mesh. WellBridge Surgical’s approach leads to a much quicker recovery time with less chance of infection. WellBridge Surgical’s same-day procedure, followed by home recovery, provides patients with more comfort, more quickly, and less time away from their priorities. The smaller wound area tends to heal faster and provides a far less invasive process for surgery, repair, and recovery.
Any decision to opt for surgery should be carefully considered, balancing the challenges of recovery ranging from short-term pain, infection risk, and the need for rest and self-care with adherence to a prescribed protocol, with the benefits of effective, permanent umbilical hernia repair. Once the decision to pursue the option for surgery is made, there is one ambulatory surgery center (ASC) that stands above the rest . . . WellBridge Surgical.
About WellBridge Surgical
Operating as an ambulatory surgery center, WellBridge provides outpatient, or same-day surgery for patients who do not require an overnight stay. The primary advantage of an ambulatory surgery center is our ability to provide the necessary surgical care in a more convenient, cost-effective, and personalized environment. For example, after the surgery, our patient is monitored in the recovery room until they are stable enough to go home. Patients are usually able to go home to recover. Recovery time after umbilical hernia surgery can vary depending on the extent of repair necessary, and each individual’s overall health. Our doctors provide post-operative instructions and follow-up, including any restrictions on activity and wound care, to promote proper healing and reduce the risk of complications. If you are considering umbilical hernia surgery, it is important to discuss the risks and benefits with your doctor.
The healthcare industry can be intimidating, cloaked in ambiguity concerning both pricing and treatment options. Under circumstances where treatment matters, WellBridge Surgical delivers high-quality surgical services directly to patients with cost certainty, providing the peace of mind to proactively deal with both preventative and corrective healthcare issues. WellBridge has set the new standard for consumer-friendly healthcare in the Indianapolis area, supported by fixed, up-front pricing and an unparalleled level of patient understanding for the most effective curative options. Hernia surgery via ASC care is just one of the many ways that WellBridge is leading the field in patient advocacy and service. Contact WellBridge Surgical to learn more at http://www.wellbridgesurgical.com.