HELP !! What causes a Hernia after WLS ??

Hi All, Anyone have experience with a hernia after WLS? I think I might have one but not sure of the symptoms. Approximately 3 inches above my naval and 5-7 inches to the right I'm experiencing some puffyness and mild pain. I thought I pulled a muscle, but that was a week ago and no relief since. The pain is still there and the swelling is still there. Any input on why hernia problems are associated with WLS ? I had Lap-RNY 12/16/03 down 53 lbs, doing great and energy levels high. Thanks SnoJo (Smiling)

Great weight loss. I had surgery 12/15/03 and as of today, down 68 pounds. I was with the doc last Thursday and he again confirmed that most people feel puffy and tender in the abdomen up to 6 months post op. You might want to check with your surgeon, though.

Hi Ruthanna, Thanks for your input. I'm going to call my surgeon in a few days if this doesn't let up a little more. Congrats on your weight loss. WOW ! -68 lbs down is fantastic. It's really exciting isn't it? (Smiling) Keep us posted and thanks again. SnoJo (Smiling)

Hello , I have experience with hernias after surgery. So far, I'm not sure if I have one after WLS though, but I am prone to them and I think I am getting one as I feel it when I lay down on my tummy and cough. A sure way to know if it is a hernia is if it will bulge when you cough. If the hernia bulges during a sneeze or cough, it's definately a hernia. BUT this does not mean that you definately do not have one if it doesn't bulge, as it can be small enough that it wont bulge. That has been my experience. Not sure if upper abdominal hernias bulge. If you do, no worries, easily fixed, they put MESH in so it does not happen again. Tracy

ooops....What CAUSES it. The internal incision coming apart causes it. Could be anything you did, even getting out of a chair. Sometimes it doesn't take much.

Hi Tracy, Thanks for your input, it's greatly appreciated. Wow, you certainly do have the experience with hernias. I have never had one. So I feel a little green with the knowledge of what hernias feel like and can I let it go for awhile before I have anything done about it? I think I'll call my surgeon in a few days if I don't get some relief. It's just a constant nagging uncomfortable pain and puffyness. One post said a panty girdle might help support the area. I wonder what size I wear (LOL) Thanks again for your input. I enjoy reading many of your posts. SnoJo (Smiling)

Hiya SnoJo! A girdle (truss) would not be a bad idea as long as it is pushing in the area and not more below or above it, ya don't want to make it poke out more. If it is causing you discomfort, I would go get it checked out. Generally though the pain will lessen and then you get used to it. I had about a 9 or 10" incisional hernia after a C-Section that only hurt as the stitches and muscle were tearing open once that was over (took months with a pop here and a pop there (sounds worse than it was), I could feel it popping open if I moved wrong (YIKES) but after the initial tearing pain, I felt pretty much nothing. They are so different, they can be painful or ya hardly know they are there. Just let your doc look at to make certain that it is just a hernia, then he'll tell you if it needs any immediate attention. But usually they don't need anyting immediate. If I have more, I'm gonna save mine for plastic surgery! Get it all done at once. Tracy The emails that I used to get saying that someone posted on my thread or posted after me or replied to my post, I don't get them anymore! :o(