Is an umbilical hernia surgery dangerous?

Posted on February 20 2019

Umbilical hernia repair surgery is a surgical procedure that is done to fix an umbilical hernia. Generally, the risks associated with umbilical hernia repair surgeries are very low. As such, it is a quite simple and quick operation, which will typically take about 20 or 30 minutes. These surgeries are usually carried out on an outpatient basis and it will be possible for you to go home on the day of the operation itself.

This surgery will usually be done under general anesthesia, which means that you will be completely asleep and will not feel any pain. However, some complications might result if the patient has some other serious medical symptoms. Consult your doctor if you are worried about having a high risk of complications.

Some of the rare risks that are associated with an umbilical hernia repair surgery are:

  • Allergic reactions to anesthesia
  • Blood clotting
  • An infection
  • An injury to the small intestine and/or other internal structures

Preparing for an umbilical hernia repair surgery:

You should stop taking non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as aspirin and ibuprofen many days before the scheduled surgery date. It will help reduce the risk of significant bleeding at the time of the surgical procedure.

Fasting for a minimum of 6 hours before surgery is usually a standard recommendation. However, you are advised to follow your doctor’s instructions before the surgery.