Incisional Hernia Repair

I am scheduled for an incisional hernia repair on the 26th. I saw the surgeon yesterday and went for the pre-operative testing. On a side note: The PAT was interesting. I saw the same anesthesiologist that put me under for the bypass last year. At that time he was concerned about my airway and advised me that I would be "awake" while the breathing tube was placed. Yesterday, he had me open wide and said, "no problem, I could fit 2 tubes down there" and laughed. It never occurred to me that you lose fat in your throat. Anyway, back on topic. The surgeon explained that he tries to do the hernia repairs laproscopically, but it my case he needs to open me up, re-secure my abdominal wall and then place mesh to hold everything in place.  He warned me that it would be painful for a while and that they would have me out of bed as soon as possible after the surgery. He basically said the same thing about the bypass surgery, but I felt that this might be worse. He also said that commonly, fluid will fill up the space where the hernia was, requiring drainage in the office with a needle.  Anyone else experience this type of repair? How would you rate the pain vs. the bypass? I am guessing that being 208 pounds lighter is going to be a big plus when it comes to getting out of bed that first time ouch! All comments appreciated. Patrick

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No experience to be of any help but I bet you're going to do great.  Keep us informed of your adventures so we can all be smarter for the next guy or if it comes into our future and we can comiserate together.  You suffer and I'll whine!!

Patrick, I had Huge abdominal reconstruct done.  Are they putting in mesh for yours? That is usually one of the factors that increases the risk of Seromas / Hemotomas and leads to having to be “Drained” with a needle a few times after. My case was severe, but I had a 1.5+liter seroma that had to be drained several times before it finally “organized” into a glob of stuff in there that looked more like a giant chicken liver than just fluid.  By that time it was down to about ½ liter in size. It “re-absorbed” into my body over the next 4 months. The needle?  I hardly ever felt anything.  The doc gave me some lidocaine in an injection at the site, and then went after it with the big syringe to drain. Overall pain from the surgery?  For me it was no comparison.  So much easier than the original surgery, but then again I’m an odd case. Having had a total of 8 surgeries over the last 4 years,  I was shocked at how much easier it all was as a lighter person. For my Open-Heart and my Bariatric surgery, I was kept awake until I was in the OR so I could get on the table myself. (they could not have lifted me without my help) After losing the weight? All subsequent surgeries were a snap in comparison.  They knocked me out early, they did the transference onto the table, the beds after surgery seemed more comfy, IV was an easy set, rather than all of the multiple failed attempts to find a vein under the fat, etc… Congrates on getting the Hernia fixed. If at all like mine, you should feel tons better once that is taken care of. There’s also the psychological impact of feeling “finished” for a change. Have the Greatest on the 26^th! We’ll keep you in our prayers! Best Wishes- Dx

As always Dx, thanks for your reply and insight. Yes, the doc mentioned inserting mesh when he fixes the hernia, so I am guessing that a seroma may be in my future. I'll be glad to have it fixed because of the discomfort and the way it gives me a pot belly look around my navel Joe, I'll post my experience as you suggested as it may help others. Thanks for the well-wishes. Patrick

I just had my incisional hernia repaired and a tummy tuck on Jan 16. (and another in my groin)Getting up and down was a bit painful for the first week or so but it does get better. After 2 weeks I was getting around just fine. I'd say it did hurt worse than the bypass tho. Now 12 weeks post the only thing that hurts any more is the groin hernia and that's not too bad. Good luck! Tim