I am a 43 yo woman with 2 children. I noticed a small protrusion in my bellybutton yesterday and went to the doctor to have it looked at. He said it was an umbilical hernia and referred me to a surgeon. He did have me cough while feeling the area. I guess its pretty obvious from the look of it what it is. It is small about the size of my pinky tip.

It does not surprise me that I have one because I lift heavy stuff all the time. I work with horses and lift feed bags, hay bales, water buckets etc. on a daily basis.

I cant get into the doctor until the 7th of Feb. So Im out of work for now.

would a hernia belt help? or should I just not work until I see the doctor?

I'm not sure how I feel about surgery. I really need to be able to lift but I read that surgery isn't always 100% effective long term solution and it could come back.

any advice would be great,
thanks,
pattie