3 year update - upcoming internal hernia repair AND QUESTION
Hello! I had my 3 year visit today. I am doing well. My vitamin D needs some attention, so I am going to work on improving that. My iron levels are better than they have been in a long time and my weight has creeped up a little over the last two years. I was at 142 a year and a half ago, but today was 151. My doctor (Dr. Anthone) was very happy as he said I was too thin last year...I didn't enjoy seeing that number on the scale--but it's all relative I suppose as before the surgery I would have killed to see the 150s. :) Socially speaking, I am very happy--in love. I traveled a lot throughout the US and Canada with him (I got divorced a year after my DS and have reconnected with a high school sweetheart of mine--he went to my consult today [something that my ex never did]).
But...I have had some problems along the way. I've had to go to the ER a couple of times. Dr. A is almost 100% sure it is an internal hernia (Petersen's hernia) so today he told me has an opening in his OR schedule for THIS Friday...eek...but it's a good thing as it is a bad idea to leave this untreated. People have died from it. So, back to the OR I go.
He will open up the same incision about 2/3 of the way, fix the hernia and said he will also fix a defect I have in the lower abdomen along my incision. He said what he does is tighten the muscles to stop the intestines from pushing their way through the abdominal muscles.
Can those of you who have had a hernia repair please chime in? How was your recovery? Was it similar to the DS (hit by a mack truck...lol). I will be admitted Friday and released on Monday and then plan on staying in a hotel 1 mile away from hospital for 2 days and then will drive myself home (an hour away). I'm thinking I should be fine to do that. I'll just make sure I do not take any pain medicine that day until I get home (if I should need it that is). Did you notice any benefits from the hernia repair? A little bit of a flatter tummy? Less abdominal issues? Easier time going #2 (I'm constipated a lot and would love to be regular again)? Did you lose any weight afterward?
Finally, can you give me any pointers to taking care of my scar? My last scar was a little bumpy and I'm sorta happy that he will reopen me there as (in my mind) it will be like getting a mini scar revision.
Ok, thanks for reading all of this!
Felicia
But...I have had some problems along the way. I've had to go to the ER a couple of times. Dr. A is almost 100% sure it is an internal hernia (Petersen's hernia) so today he told me has an opening in his OR schedule for THIS Friday...eek...but it's a good thing as it is a bad idea to leave this untreated. People have died from it. So, back to the OR I go.
He will open up the same incision about 2/3 of the way, fix the hernia and said he will also fix a defect I have in the lower abdomen along my incision. He said what he does is tighten the muscles to stop the intestines from pushing their way through the abdominal muscles.
Can those of you who have had a hernia repair please chime in? How was your recovery? Was it similar to the DS (hit by a mack truck...lol). I will be admitted Friday and released on Monday and then plan on staying in a hotel 1 mile away from hospital for 2 days and then will drive myself home (an hour away). I'm thinking I should be fine to do that. I'll just make sure I do not take any pain medicine that day until I get home (if I should need it that is). Did you notice any benefits from the hernia repair? A little bit of a flatter tummy? Less abdominal issues? Easier time going #2 (I'm constipated a lot and would love to be regular again)? Did you lose any weight afterward?
Finally, can you give me any pointers to taking care of my scar? My last scar was a little bumpy and I'm sorta happy that he will reopen me there as (in my mind) it will be like getting a mini scar revision.
Ok, thanks for reading all of this!
Felicia
HW 264 SW 248 CW 140.8 GW 140
Hello Felicia! Great to see you again! Thanks for the update. It's great you are in love! I can't answer your hernia, etc. questions, but I guess my reply will bump up your post so others might see it.
Haha -- I've been wondering for a while if that baby in your picture with you is a friend or relative's or? I take it you would have told us if you had a new baby yourself, right? :)
Haha -- I've been wondering for a while if that baby in your picture with you is a friend or relative's or? I take it you would have told us if you had a new baby yourself, right? :)
Oh, lol...duh on me. No, that adorable baby is my cousin's son...he is now 1 and running all over the place. Soooo cute. My sister has a 9 month old little girl too...so needless to say my uterus is hurting seeing these cute babies. :) (Not really...I have 3 kids myself, but you know how it is when you see a baby and smell their sweet baby smell and listen to their adorable laughter).
HW 264 SW 248 CW 140.8 GW 140
I had a Pettersens hernia repair in Oct '`10. For me ...it was rough. There is no way I could have driven myself home 7 days after sx. Even if you dont take pain meds "that" day, they are still in your system.
You are right about getting it fixed..it can get ya..BAD! I do think that where it is and how bad it is plays a big part in your recovery.
Best of luck to ya!!
You are right about getting it fixed..it can get ya..BAD! I do think that where it is and how bad it is plays a big part in your recovery.
Best of luck to ya!!
Darlene DS ..9-19-06
OFFICIAL ANGEL
Kryst.......6-27-07
KellyKirk........8-6-07 now our DS FOREVER ANGEL....I will always remember
BettyBoop.....2-26-08
Jewel506...5-26-10
Ragamuffin...9-29-10
185# gone forever
(deactivated member)
on 3/13/12 5:10 am
on 3/13/12 5:10 am
Hi Felicia, I went through this so I will share my experience. Like anything, ymmv.
I had hernia repair surgery with mesh. It was done lap, and frankly the recovery really sucked. I had a much worse time dealing with the pain than I did with my DS, which was open. Weird, but true.
I think when things were healing, there was pulling, etc. and it just really threw me for a loop. I took pain meds for almost 3 weeks - and when I had my DS I was off everything except over the counter by the end of the first week.
You will not be able to drive right away (I would think based on my experience).
I had no muscle tightening, etc. because I was still considering more children. Didn't really see a change in my weight.
Hope this helps and best of luck.
Sharon
I had hernia repair surgery with mesh. It was done lap, and frankly the recovery really sucked. I had a much worse time dealing with the pain than I did with my DS, which was open. Weird, but true.
I think when things were healing, there was pulling, etc. and it just really threw me for a loop. I took pain meds for almost 3 weeks - and when I had my DS I was off everything except over the counter by the end of the first week.
You will not be able to drive right away (I would think based on my experience).
I had no muscle tightening, etc. because I was still considering more children. Didn't really see a change in my weight.
Hope this helps and best of luck.
Sharon
NoMore B.
on 3/13/12 12:35 pm
on 3/13/12 12:35 pm
Hi Felicia,
Glad to see you post again. You might notice a lot of the long time posters are gone, we're all on another board but not allowed to post about it here. Maybe you know where it is?
I know two people who both had surgery for a Peterson's hernia - Melody E and I also am almost sure that Julie in Michigan did.
Joanne
Glad to see you post again. You might notice a lot of the long time posters are gone, we're all on another board but not allowed to post about it here. Maybe you know where it is?
I know two people who both had surgery for a Peterson's hernia - Melody E and I also am almost sure that Julie in Michigan did.
Joanne
Most Active
Recent Topics
