Can I do sit-ups with an abdominal hernia?

[eariel84]

I am a 25 year old mother of 3. I am in decent shape, meaning I am not over weigh. I have an abdominal hernia that is about 2 inches that causes occasional pain. I am pretty active, usually in the warm months and since being diagnosed as having a hernia I do not want to do anything to make it any bigger. After exercising my hernia doesn't feel any different. I haven't found out what makes it poke out and become painful but exercising doesn't seem to. I've also heard that if it doesn't hurt than it probably isn't a problem. Will sit-ups help or hurt my hernia?

[jester8492]

my brother had a hernia when took his physical a few years back the doctor told him to do situps and when he came back it was gone i dont know how bad his was but thats wut the doc told him

[Dr. Kokil Mathur]

Hi
Thanks for writing to the forum!
Mild regular exercises to tone up the abdominal muscles can infact help you to strengthen the abdominal muscles and help reduce or cure the hernia. Yes, situps can be done. There are other exercises too like lifting both legs while lying flat on hard floor that can help too. However without examining the hernia, its position, degree and extent I cannot comment for sure. Please consult a physiotherapist before starting the exercises. Your age is on your side and guided exercise program should help you.
Hope this helps. Please let me know if there is any thing else and do keep me posted. Take care!

[Fairyprice]

I have just found ou I have hernia and been in a lot of pain in abdimon and lower part of my back the hernia is above my belly button what do u. Surgest.

[Cris253]

What if you have had hernia surgery already? Can you do situps then? I had hernia surgery Jan 23 2009 and now I have mesh around my whole abdomen.

[Dr Vinod]

No,sit ups are not advised for you. As any exercise which will increase the abdomial pressure should be avoided for safety of hernia not to reoccur. Take care!

[bill132]

I was doing sit up about two month after receiving a hernia mesh. I now feel a see a small out line of something near the area where the mesh was placed. It is not giving me any problem. Could this cause a problem send email  to ***@****

[joeol]

Can you help.  I've just been told I have a hernia.  Just above my belly button.  I had surgery 11months ago for a gut problem and was cut from just above the belly button down to bikini line.  Before surgery I was swollen from whatever had caused the illness - not sure if was narrowing of gut join due to previous surgery (I had had previous surgery since I have had Crohns disease twice before - both times cut across the bikini line - wasn't a problem exercising).  The problem is I'm still swollen more than I would like to be (I'm 45yr old female).  Having been told I have the hernia I'm reserved about jumping into previous fitness regime.  There were also lots of problems with wound  healing.  Can you help.  I suppose I'm in reasonable shape for my age other than these awful problems which have arisen.  I do a little yoga and try pilates type tightening exercises which isn't enough.  Hopefully you can help.  I intend to speak to the surgeon again.  Hopefully no more awful illnesses.  Thanks

[Dr Vinod]

Hello!  

I would suggest walking for you along with Yoga and some exercises in the sitting and sleeping position. You can go for 2-5 km walks regularly without exerting yourself.

Get yourself examined by the surgeon to rule out any infection and take all the possible suggestions for the hernia repair from your surgeon.

Take care!

[tbarnard91]

I had a lap chole, and 2 and half to 3 weeks later got pregnant with twins.  5 years later while lying down and trying to do a situp there is this bulge that comes out above my belly button, do you think it is a hernia, and can I continue to do any situps?

Sincerely,
Tracy

[Dr Vinod]

Hello!

The probability of hernia is more as you had a surgical intervention and had an incision in the past.
I would suggest you to check by looking at a mirror and coughing and if a bulge comes out and if it can be reduced by pushing it inside then there is a gap in your abdominal musculature and you have to get it corrected surgically.

Hernia is the bulge which comes out through any weakness in your abdominal wall.

Take care!

[thefixx66]

Should leg lifts be done with an abd brace to hold the area as flat as possible? I have a heavy duty back brace with perfect velcro to hold in the fat and hernia, but since it's a back brace the front is to small to cover the entire hernia area, I put a small board there and seems to work fine. I browsed hernia belts which are wider in the front, but customer complaints about them rolling up while on makes me wary of buying one.
Should I use anything that works to confine, support or otherwise hold in the hernia while doing leg lifts in order to get muscles strong enough to hold in on it's own? seems to me doing excercises while the hernia is poking out won't push it back in while the muscles are strengthening? but I'm not a doc. :)

[Dr Vinod]

Hello!

With hernia I would not suggest any heavy duty exercise and only after hernia repair and when you complete a year you should put any pressure to the abdominal area. You can do other types of exercises and cardio activities which do not put pressure on your abdomen.

I would want you to discuss further with a surgeon after an examination about your hernia because I have to understand if it is abdominal hiatus hernia? Inguinal hernia? Femoral hernia? Direct or indirect hernia? Reducible or irreducible hernia? and what is the diagnosis and the reasons for you hernia.

Take care!

[Miss_Holzie]

Hi there, I was told I had an umbilical hernia two years ago, although it doesn't hurt at all but when I excercise my abs It protroudes massivley!!! However I really want to keep my stomach in shape without it's appearance getting any worse, I read u said excersise wud make it go away is that in every case or just some cases as I find it hard to believe as mine actually is
worse after ab crunches, sit ups etc! Can u advise me thanks???  

[Dr Vinod]

Hello!

Surgical repair is recommended in most situations since small umbilical hernias, left untreated, can expand and become problematic. Exercises are only suggested after surgical correction.

Some forms of Yoga do not cause any problems, talk with a Yoga expert.

Following abdominal surgery to repair a hernia, intermittent positive pressure breathing exercises may be necessary to prevent pulmonary complications. Certain exercises such as progressive relaxation and deep breathing techniques may be performed to reduce postoperative pain and speed recovery.

Take care!

[Miss_Holzie]

Thanks for getting back to me! I'm too scared for surgery it's not got any worse in two years I hope it's gunna b ok

[Kazoya]

Hello sir,

Sorry for my English, I have been diagnosed with "early hernia" at the left side of the triangle area below my belly button, it's not a "real hernia" (I think), I mean no organs went out yet, but looks like the area is so weak that the left side is a bit higher than right side (of the triangle), I'm a male, 27, used to do about 20-30 minutes of ab workouts 3 days/week for the last 4 or 5 months, maybe I did something wrong coz I can't remember I never tried to lift something heavy.

Do you think that I can tackle this problem without a surgery ? should I rest now first OR focus on lower abdomen muscles exercises (the one you lie on your back and raise your legs), I'm not sure what to do as I read that in case this is an injury bcoz of the exercises I used to do then I should rest for few weeks first, or do they mean to take rest of my heavy abs exercises only ?

also should I pull abdomen to spine as they advise normally ?

Any other advises ?

Thank you very much in advance!

[Micksharks]

Hello im a personal trainer aged 22. I have been diagnosed with an umbilical hernia, its about 1cm in diameter about 1-2cm above my belly button. the surgeon i went to says i shouldnt worry too much and it will eventually need to be fixed but there's no rush. I train about 5-6 days a week with heavy weights. When it pops out there is no pain and i simply push it back in. I have quite low body fat and a very defined six pack which ive worked hard for, i was wanting to know if after surgery i would still maintain my six pack definintion or will it be disfigured?

[kid25140]

I had hernia surgery in my groin area and now I have to take a physical test and one of the requirements are 25 sit ups. I have done many ab exercises and workouts without soreness or problems and I cannot do a single sit up. Is my hernia operation the source of my problem?

[anik2010]

Hi doc.. I'm feeling a sharp pain at the left lower abdominal area, after heavy workout. The pain worsens when i sit at the floor or bent my knees while sitting in the chair or when i run. It heals automatically if i abstain workout for 2/3 weeks. Still there's no swelling, not even when i'm coughing. I must inform you, that, i'm also suffering from urethral stricture for 2-3 years, and already went through an Optical Internal Urethotomy procedure. However, i require further OIU procedure as my doctor has told so. So, Please give me an advice, do i need to stop heavy weight exercise or abdominal crunches?

[anik2010]

Hi doc.. I'm feeling a sharp pain at the left lower abdominal area, after heavy workout. The pain worsens when i sit at the floor or bent my knees while sitting in the chair or when i run. It heals automatically if i abstain workout for 2/3 weeks. Still there's no swelling, not even when i'm coughing. I must inform you, that, i'm also suffering from urethral stricture for 2-3 years, and already went through an Optical Internal Urethotomy procedure. However, i require further OIU procedure as my doctor has told so. So, Please give me an advice, do i need to stop heavy weight exercise or abdominal crunches?

[cats_growl]

I have had hernia symptoms on and off for about 13 years, about two years after I had my son. Just this year I was diagnosed with a hernia just above my belly button (same area). I was wondering if I can still run and do dance with this since it has become indented over the years. Is there anyway such as a hernia belt to use while exercising that might reduce pain or damage? Any help would be appreciated. Thanks.

Cats

[tammie8089]

i am a 21 yr old female and i was told that i have hereditary hernias and i have had two already and had surgery both times the last time was sept of 2010 and they put mesh in on the whole left side of my abdomen so that i "don't" get anymore hernias. I am VERY active and I work as a nurses aide which consists of a lot of heavy lifting which i don't think helps my situation. So my questions are could i be getting another hernia where the mesh is and should i not be lifting over a certain amt? My grandfather has had about a dozen surgery's and i am wondering if there is anything i can do to prevent this cause his abdominal wall is now all messed up and i dont want mine to be as young as i am. this is getting me nervous

[tammie8089]

i also wanted to say that i feel a bump where the mesh is and that is why i am asking these questions. it hurts when i lift or do any kind of exercise or sit sometimes when i walk not always

[mico21]

What other exercise beside situp and lifting leg in the air helps with direct inguinal hernia

[Amaan27]

I have inguinal hernia, actually i had a ball type thing in my  lower abdominal area later it shifted in my balls i I dont know weather its hernia or something else, but when i concerned a doctor he told me its hernia he even told me that i can operate it at any time, its been 1 year iI dont feel any pain it just pops in and out ocassionally, I still dont want to operate it for 2 more years,is it possible? one more thing can I do situps and abdominal exercise with this hernia,pls suggest me what should I do, my upper body is in very good shape but my lowers is too week, so can i go for situps with this hernia? and what if i postpond the surgery for 2 more years, is there any thing to worry about???