Hernia Surgery

Hi all..... I'm 9 mos out, down 140#....I went to see my surgeon at BTC because of the pain I was having in my adominal area.... she said I have hernia about size of large grapefruit and will need surgery done...... now, my question is, where do they cut you open for large hernia? And how is the painwise compared to Open RNY? ~Teresa

I had hernia repair and tummy tuck done at the same time on August 28, 2003 at St. Vincent's Charity Hospital in Cleveland. Dr. Schreiber did the hernia with mesh, and Dr. Vogt did the TT. The surgery was more painful than the bypass. The incisions went from breastbone to pubic bone for the hernia and from one butt cheek to the other, around the front, just above the pubic area for the TT. I am still sleeping in the recliner. I asked the doc about the pains in my sides, he said where the mesh is implanted to keep the hernia repaired is where the pain is. All except sleeping in the bed, I'm back to normal activities, driving, housework, etc. but no lifting just yet. Good luck!

I HAD DR. PATTERSON AT ST. V. THEY SAID WHEN I GET TO GOAL WEIGHT THEY WILL DO SURGERY. THEY HAVE NOT SEEN ME YET THIS IS JUST BACK AND FORTH THROUGH EMAIL. I LIVE IN SANDUSKY AND HAVE A TERMINAL ILL HUSBAND SO IT IS HARD JUST TO GO TO CLEVELAND JUST SO THEY CAN LOOK AT MY STOMACH. I WAS VERY UPSET TO HAVE TO HAVE ANOTHER SURGERY. BUT SOMEONE HAD TOLD ME THEY TRY TO GET THE INSURANCE CO. TO PAY FOR THE TUMMY TUCK BECAUSE OF THE HERNIA. WHEN I READ YOUR POST I WAS WONDERING IF THIS IS TRUE. GOD BLESS DEB C.

Hi Debbie, My insurance did pay for the TT along with the hernia repair. I did have the foresight to have my family doctor document skin rashes and prescription lotion that he prescribed prior to going for the plastic surgery consult. I only had one documentation and they approved on that I guess. Also, Dr. Vogt took pictures of the abdominal apron from every view imaginable, (how embarrassing!) but it got the job done. I had Anthem community choice at the time. They are a bear to deal with, but the surgeon's office knows how to word everything to get the coverage. I'm so sorry to hear about your husband and I know how hard it is to get to Cleveland. I live in Youngstown. I wish you well. Keep me posted on your progress and take care.

Is that pain on the right side of the adominal?

Greg, the pain i was having was on right side of the incision....sometimes right where the incision is.....I had open RNY.