Need a Hernia repair!!

Hey there, Well I had my 4 mth post op appt. yesterday... happy to say I am down 66 lbs!! Unfortunatly I have a hernia.... sooooo I need surgery! It is scheduled for Oct. 11...I am bummed I can't wait to have it done along with my future tummy tuck.. because it is to dangerous to wait.. what a bummer.... I know nothing about the recovery from this.. so if anyone has any information please pass it on. Dr. Kurian said it can't be done laproscopic so it will be a cut... uggghhhhh I am not looking forward to the pain from this at all... but.. I have no choice but to get through this just like everything else in life! Hugs! Marla

Marla, CONGRATS on your weight loss,....YEAH I do not know anything about this surgery but wanted to wish you the very best ~Hugs~ How did you know you had it? what are the symptoms? Does it only happen in the incisions from the RNY? Why does this happen? Sorry for all the questions but I just wanted to know. ~hugs~ Thanks hun and take care Debra P 285/217/125??

I had three hernias repaired in Feb. '05 along with a tummy tuck. Yes it's painful, but most surgeries are. I wouldn't say it was any more painful than the WLS. In my case they weren't causing any pain, discomfort or strangulation, so we waited 7 months to repair them. If the doc thinks it's better to fix them now, then definitely do it now. If a hernia strangulates, not only can it cause severe pain, but it could cause gangrene inside. That's the last thing anybody needs. Deb to answer your questions. Incisional hernias are a pretty common side effect of WLS. It is more common on those who have had open vs. lap, but still possible with lap. You will usually know if you have one by the bulge you will see/feel around the incision site. Some will cause pain and some will not. I didn't have any pain at all and they were so big that I wasn't getting strangulated. That's why we were able to wait so long. A hernia probably happens because after the muscles are cut they are weakened and can just open by themselves. On the insurance side. The hernias were covered by insurance. The tummy tuck was not. Joanne

Thanks Joanne! I am not happy about this at all. Right now I have no pain... I have had the buldge for almost 2 months.. my 3 mths appt was cancelled... so I didn't see Dr. Kurian till yesterday.. I had a feeling it was a hernia.. but since I was not in pain I didn't "rush" to see her. I still have to lose over 100 lbs before my Tummy tuck so waiting to repair this is probably not a good idea. I guess strangulation can occur anytime, and I have 2&1/2 year old triplets so not lifting gets pretty hard for me. I just have to be really careful after this repair. Dr. K was surprised to since my surgery was lap. and she rarily has a hernia from lap... leave it to me... I am pretty upset having to go through this and then a tummy tuck later on. I know it is pretty common but why me and why now. uGHHHHH feeling really blue right now... but it will pass... I just don't want to deal with this at all. Hugs Marla

Joanne, Thanks for much for answering that hun ~hugs~ I will be watching for them and I did have mine lap. Debra P

Hi Marla, I have a huge hernia. It is in the exact spot where I had the incision for my colon surgery (5 months before my WLS) I am going to have it done by Dr Garber, who performed both my other surgeries. He told me that I could have the tummy tuck done at the same time,by a plastic surgeon and it would be covered by Ins. I have a consult with the plastic surgeon next week. I would have them both in the operating room. Even though my hernia is very large, I do not have any pain from it. Therefore I'm going to try to hold out a few more months so I can lose some more weight, even though I hate the way it sticks out! Good luck Gail

Hi Gail, I would love to wait and have my tummy tuck at the same time. I am having my hernia repaired by Dr. Kurian who also did my WLS. My concern is waiting for the tummmy tuck is not being able to lift now or the hernia getting worse. I still have 100 to go before I could have my tummy tuck. So Im not sure waiting is a good option. Maybe I should get a second opinion? I have 2&1/2 year old triplets... so not lifting is kinda hard when you have 6 little arms reaching up at you. THanks Hugs Marla

Just because you have a hernia doesn't mean that insurance will cover the tummy tuck. Check with your insurance company. I had to pay for my plastic surgery out of pocket. Joanne

I have a hernia in my navel. It hurts a bit almost daily. I have a consult with the PS on Nov 4th. I hope the insurance may cover some of the TT as my navel area has been cut several times (galbladder, tubes tied, hysterectomy, WLS and the second emergency sergery for internal bleeding) My WLS surgeon will do the hernia repair and is hopeful some if not all of the TT may be covered. I will know more after the PS submits for approval. depending on the cost I may also have my wings clipped at the same time as my arms look dreadful. I may also spring the difference between a TT and a full circle cut TT. I will know more in Nov. Mary