Anyone had issues with internal (petersons) hernia recurrence?

Hi Ladies and Gents,

I was wondering if anyone has any issues with multiple internal hernias? A little after 4 months post op I had my first internal hernia repaired. About a month ago I had my second internal hernia repaired, I was around 13 months post op and had lost 115 lbs by then. 

Past few days I have had the same pain again. I thought at first it could be my monthly pain, but knew it was almost 2 weeks too early. So I have been monitoring my pain to see how it goes and it is the same has before. Tried looking up on google about the chances of me having done something that could have caused a issue with last surgery. Like if I somehow opened it again. I could not find any info on this.

My main question is, has anyone had issues with multiple internal hernias? Is it possible to have one so soon after my last repair? Thanks in advance for any replys.

Hi, i've never had an internal hernia but, if you look up h.a.l.a on the RNY forum, i think she has had multiple hernia's after repair. Maybe you can message her for more info.

good luck.

Hello Nadiras

I am just new to OH and came across your Post. I have been searching for months about these painful internal Petersen hernias.  I had my 1st repair done after losing 80 lbs or so (I hear they occur around the 100 lb mark when you lose the tummy fat pad), for me that was 4 months after RNY.  The pain was so excruciating I prayed for death.  Then the pain came back, same horrible pain. About 10 months later I had another Petersen Hernia repair.  Apparently the tacking or stitching down of the bowel become undone and the Doc re-tacked it down.  Along this the Doc found another smaller hernia.  Then this past fall I was getting the identical pains so the Doc set up a 3rd surgery.  This time the Doc  preformed a Lap to check things out and a gastro endoscopy while I was under and said he found nothing.  The Doc then set me up with a Gastro Specialist that I will see in a few months and said I may have IBS.  I just don't understand what this could be?  Curious as to how your outcome is?

I get to the point of being anxious of wondering when this terrible pain will occur. It gets so bad I am doubled over with pains starting at my diaphragm/rib cage area and go like waves down to my left side along with tons of gurgling, then I sometimes throw up clear fluid and I am on the toilet with bowel movements sometimes for a couple of hours or more.  I know it is nothing I ate as sometimes it is after I wake up and just had water. 

(I have had colonoscopy - fine, gallbladder removed and there are no ulcers).

I wondered if you issues got resolved or what your update is?

My issue was not fully resolved. I have had colonoscopy, so may Ct's it drives me nuts. 

I have been back to Humber several times over this issue and seen Starr in his office twice about it. Worst part about Peterson's hernia is its difficult to detect unless they do a exploratory laproscopic.

Honestly I get anxiety sometimes when the pain starts back up because if I go I know there will be tons of tests and they will say sorry no clue what it is go home and suffer in pain.

This week the pain has been pretty bad again so I am actually off to see Dr.Starr at the bariatric clinic this afternoon. I am going to beg him to admit me and do a exploratory. I can't stand the pain anymore.

I am sorry to hear you had to go through it so many times. Each person has a different experience and symptons. Sometimes it honestly depends on the doctor.

Thanks for responding so quickly!  Looks like you and I are the  5% that get these!  I can certainly relate to you with this mystery pain.  I know for certain it isn't some vague IBS (that is a general term when they don't know what do call it).  We know our bodies better than anyone!  I am certain I have another internal hernia that somehow unwrapped itself by the time I got to the Doc for this last exploratory surgery. I wish I could go to the hospital while the pain is occurring  and maybe they could diagnose it but that would be impossible during such an episode (to get out of the bathroom, to sit up in a car seat and drive or even get my hubby do drive me). 

In addition this, now I am getting kidney stones (3) related to RNY. Just had emerg surgery for one last Saturday.  Another surgery is planned soon.  

Take care and keep up informed.  

I just finished my appt with Dr.Starr and he was concerned. Monday he is getting his office to set up a emerg whole abdomen ultrasound. If nothing is seen he wants me in asap and will perform a laproscopic. He said that is the only way he can rule out any internal issues.

While at the appt he went over the notes from my previous emerg surgeries and each time the cat scans showed nothing. He wanted to do a ultrasound so it's less invasive for me this time.

Most likely next week I will be in surgery and hopefully I finally get a anwsers. 

I've had 2 repairs for this.  The only time it showed on any tests is when I actually went to ER in extreme pain, dry heaving, etc, and they did the CT right away and caught it on film.  There are  two spots that it can happen and the first time I had it repaired, the surgeon couldn't find the 2nd one to sew it up so then 10 months later when the pain started again, they went back in and did it all over again.  The first repair was still intact but they were able to find the 2nd defect and fixed it.  Knock on wood, no issues since and the 2nd surgery was 13 months ago.

OMG, you both are explaining exactly what I am going through.  I am sorry anyone has to go through this terrible pain, as I would not wi**** on my worst enemy.  It looks like I will have to be persistent in getting treatment from my RNY Doc.  I too had 2 Petersen Hernia repairs and the last (3rd) surgery was an exploratory that he couldn't find anything.  I wish I was taken seriously as I feel like dying when I get these pains.  The RNY Doc still wants me to go to a Gastro Specialist for possible IBS as he couldn't find anything.  If it is, it certainly is exactly mimicking the Petersen Hernia pain.  I did obey all instructions and showed up twice at my Bariatric Centre to see if they could see anything but the CT scan showed nothing and they sent me home with pain meds.  It is all very frustrating as prior to this RNY, I had no pains like this.

Tracey, glad to hear they have hopefully corrected your problem forever!