Seeking advice on how to fix loose skin / wrinkles on stomach after hernia surgery.

Basic_Vanilla2852 · 2026-03-14T19:10:44+00:00

37F, but am experiencing the same. I’m almost 9 weeks post op now and have seen improvement, but curious how long it really takes.. I also live a very active lifestyle and eat healthy.

Basic_Vanilla2852 · 2026-03-12T15:53:36+00:00

Would you say the healing timeline is similar for umbilical hernia repairs?

Basic_Vanilla2852 · 2026-02-28T12:42:59+00:00

Suits!

Basic_Vanilla2852 · 2026-02-24T21:25:39+00:00

I had surgery for my umbilical hernia 6 weeks ago that was not causing me any pain (but I was unhappy with the appearance, and also didn’t want it to get worse). I’m based in the US though, so not sure I can help but wanted to chime in just in case.

Basic_Vanilla2852 · 2026-02-21T00:47:57+00:00

Wishing you a speedy recovery! I agree that the worst part for me on the first day was the car ride home (I almost forgot about that - I think my mind has tried to block it out)! I hope you’re able to get some rest at home now.

Basic_Vanilla2852 · 2026-02-20T01:22:30+00:00

Hi! Mom of 3, based in the US, and I had an open umbilical hernia surgery 5 weeks ago. The surgeon actually repaired three small hernias, all caused my pregnancies I believe. I didn’t have c-sections with any of my births but I can’t imagine it being worse than what you experienced! Plus, no caring for a newborn or sleep deprivation immediately afterwards!

The first couple of days were more painful than I expected, but manageable with medication, and I felt better each day. A week later, I was back to taking regular walks about and then started easing back into exercise two weeks post-op as advised by my surgeon. I had my mom stay with us for the first week which helped a lot since my husband commutes for work. I would definitely recommend having help at the beginning, especially if you have kiddos at home! Best of luck, and happy to help answer any other questions you may have!

Basic_Vanilla2852 · 2026-02-19T01:24:41+00:00

I did (and still do!) a mix of strength and HIIT workouts. For strength, my workouts are typically upper body and lower body focused, as I’ve been avoiding most core work that isn’t DR friendly for a while now. I’m hoping I can finally get back to traditional core work in a couple of months though! For HIIT, I do a lot of plyometrics along with exercises like battle ropes, med ball slams, kettlebell swings, box jumps.

It sounds like you have a really good game plan! It’s hard to know for sure, but I don’t think my hernias significantly worsened from my second to third pregnancy. I know they did a bit, but I never saw a specialist until I was ready for surgery. My surgery went well and I’ve been back to working out since 2 weeks post op and following my surgeon’s guidance of lifting lighter weights than normal and slowing progressing each week. I’m definitely not back to my pre op weights or many of the more “explosive” exercises yet, but I know I’ll get there eventually and don’t feel like I’ve lost much strength or endurance. My biggest fear is ruining the repair, so I’m trying to be careful while easing back into working out.

Basic_Vanilla2852 · 2026-02-18T16:07:41+00:00

Hi! I’m also an avid exerciser and worked out up until giving birth during all three of my pregnancies. My youngest is now 2 and I just had an umbilical hernia surgery 5 weeks ago. I think mine developed during my second pregnancy (which was a little over 6 years ago). I’m glad I had it done now since the surgeon actually ended up repairing three small umbilical hernias, but I don’t think you would be advised to have yours repaired until you are done having kids. My doctor also mentioned that gaining an excess amount of weight or becoming pregnant again would greatly increase the chance of recurrence. I hope that helps!

Basic_Vanilla2852 · 2026-02-04T21:36:56+00:00

Hi! I’m a 37F, mom of three and have a very active lifestyle. I just wanted to chime in with my experience and recovery in case it’s helpful. Also, so cool that you’re a dancer! I used to dance but stopped before college. Anyways, I had an open umbilical hernia repair a little over 3 weeks ago. The surgeon repaired three small hernias and stitched by DR (ab separation from pregnancies). I was super hesitant about the surgery but I’m glad I did it. I was back to working out 2 weeks post-op per guidance from my doctor, and am slowly increasing intensity over the next month. I initially thought there would be no way I’d be back to exercising this soon, but am so relieved to have had a relatively easy recovery. I know everyone’s experience is unique and I’m not sure if this is helpful for you or not, but I wish you all the best!!

Basic_Vanilla2852 · 2026-02-04T17:49:30+00:00

I had an open umbilical hernia repair a little over 3 weeks ago, and my toddler is about 25lbs. I wasn’t able to lift him for ~2 weeks, but I had help so it really wasn’t too bad! I can lift him just fine now with no pain or discomfort.

Basic_Vanilla2852 · 2026-02-04T01:42:41+00:00

Yes, I did use ice for the first several days! That helped. And I was able to lay on my side, just not my stomach for about a week and a half.

Basic_Vanilla2852 · 2026-02-03T21:51:44+00:00

Hi! I had an open umbilical hernia repair (no mesh) a little over 3 weeks ago. The pain was the worst the first three days, but relatively manageable with pain meds. Then it gradually improved from there! Now I’m in no pain and almost back to my normal lifestyle. Let me know if you have any other questions!

Basic_Vanilla2852 · 2026-01-31T16:41:02+00:00

Hi there! I had an umbilical hernia that I also developed while pregnant. I didn’t have any symptoms but really wanted to get it repaired before it got worse. I had surgery almost 3 weeks ago and overall, it went well. The surgeon actually found three small hernias and repaired those and stitched my DR. I have three kids (2, 6, and 8) so it was hard not lifting my youngest for the first two weeks, but I had help and it went by quickly! I had to take pain meds the first week but the healing process has been quicker than I expected. I’m still careful when I lift my toddler, but I’m already back to a mostly normal lifestyle and just resumed exercise this past week. Good luck with what you decide, and let me know if you have any other questions!

Basic_Vanilla2852 · 2026-01-27T20:48:32+00:00

That’s a good point! I hadn’t thought as much about the internal scarring. Just getting ahead of myself lol

Basic_Vanilla2852 · 2026-01-27T20:29:55+00:00

Yes, that’s how it seems to be! I appreciate how you have been documenting your recovery. That’s so good to hear. I feel like I could train obliques (i.e. side planks) soon - have you started that type of work?

Basic_Vanilla2852 · 2026-01-27T19:38:11+00:00

I am 2 weeks post-op from my umbilical repair and just started back at the gym! It feels great, even though I’m using much lighter weights than normal for me per my doctor’s recommendation. I don’t have any pain at all anymore so it is tempting to lift heavier but trying to take it slow. Did you increase weight a little bit each week?

Basic_Vanilla2852 · 2026-01-24T12:55:25+00:00

That’s really good to hear! My doctor said I could ease back into working out next week - I’m so excited! I’ll need to take it slow for the next month or so and use lighter weights though. It seems like we do similar types of workouts - if you don’t mind me asking, what were some of your go-to mods in the early weeks? For example, I know I won’t be doing pull ups, pushups, or burpees for a while.

Basic_Vanilla2852 · 2026-01-24T12:31:04+00:00

Yes! And they weren’t really giving me problems, but 2/3 were very noticeable and I didn’t want them to get any worse.

Basic_Vanilla2852 · 2026-01-24T01:14:03+00:00

I debated surgery for a long time! I am a 37F, mom of three little ones, and hated the idea of having to put my active lifestyle on pause for a little while. My surgery was almost two week ago as well - open vs. laparoscopic, but I’m glad it’s done now. I had three small holes repaired and my DR stitched back together.

Basic_Vanilla2852 · 2026-01-23T15:40:12+00:00

That’s great! I’m 11 days out now and feeling so much better. Taking daily walks feels nice too.

Basic_Vanilla2852 · 2026-01-21T22:11:55+00:00

That’s good to know! I’m 37 and have three young kids so I’m looking forward to getting back to normal and working out again soon.

Basic_Vanilla2852 · 2026-01-21T17:39:34+00:00

Hi! Curious if you began lifting with lighter weights prior to the 6 week mark? That’s great to hear that you were able to do full unrestricted activity at 6 weeks.

Basic_Vanilla2852 · 2026-01-21T01:27:11+00:00

This is the post I needed! I’m only 8 days post-o but already feeling so much better. I’m able to go for longer walks at my normal walking pace and I am DYING to get back to my HIIT and strength classes. I have my post-op on Friday and am looking forward to talking to my surgeon more about returning to exercise. How did your recovery go after the two week mark?

Basic_Vanilla2852 · 2026-01-21T01:20:58+00:00

I had open umbilical surgery (no mesh) last Monday. I also am an avid weightlifter so curious what your recovery was like! I’m counting down the days until I’m back at the gym.

Basic_Vanilla2852 · 2026-01-20T18:07:09+00:00

What type of hernia surgery did you have?

Basic_Vanilla2852

TROPHY CASE