Infected Mesh

I need help.  I had wls and hernia surgery in 2007 and have been fine since them.  About 6 months ago I developed an abdominal absess.  They are telling me all my mesh is infected and needs to be removed in a 7-10 hour surgical procedure and spending 12-14 days hospitalized.  Has anyone been through this?  Any help would be appreciated.  Thank you

I have never been thorugh it nor heard of it.  Have you gotten 2nd and 3rd opinions?

Yes, I have and they all say the same thing.  I am so freaked out.  Any thoughts on where I could go to speak to someone who has had this done?  Thanks for replying.

I read your post  at my work site and thought about you all night.  When I got home I did some searches on this ...I guess it can be accomplished in a one step surgical removal.  Here is one of the links.  I'm sure you have already done searching regarding this.  I have been through a lot but not this.  I wish you all the best poor baby. 
http://search.aol.com/aol/search?query=infected+mesh+%27+abd ominal+surgery%27&s_it=client91_searchbox

Thanks leech........I appreciate your thoughtfulness and your concern.  This really sucks and I don't see an end in sight.

My heart goes out to you -- I'm sure you are worried sick over this.  I don't know anything about your issue, but if it's infected, sounds like it would need to come out.  My mother in law has had several complex and lengthy surgeries to try to rebuild her abdominal wall due to hernias and problems with the fixes not taking hold. She has managed to make it through all of it as rough as it was. I'm sure you can do the same thing!  Please hang in there, the human body is remarkable in it's ability to heal and recover.

Thanks for your reply.  Why didnt the repairs hold?  I can't do this........I am so upset, frustrated and sad.  I can't have the surgery, and have it not work after enduring the unbelievable amount of pain that I will encounteer.  i am not as strong as your mom......Did she have an infection that was continually draining?  I am so done with this.........

I don't think she had an infection. Her issues were related to the mesh not holding well. I am not very familiar with hernia repair (or any surgery). My mother in law is a surgical nurse and she said that hernias can be very challenging to repair -- if I remember right, she said there are some promising new materials available for surgeon's to use. It might take some doing, but try to find a highly recommended surgeon in your area that has lot of experience with this type of surgery. You definitely don't want a surgeon that just does this every once in awhile.

 I had  a hernia repair in 2008 with a tummy tuck after losing 150 lbs.  but before my weightloss surgery.  I had the sleeve in 2010 (Oct.) Now I have a fluid filled "Seroma" in my abdomen.  It's not really painfull, and I've not been told that anything is infected.  I am going to see my surgeon soon to find out what needs with it.  When I was doing Zumba it started to hurt from all the bouncing, so I stopped for now.  Is your problem a Seroma?  or an actual infection.  I haven't had any signs of infection, and my CT scan showed virtually no signs of inflammation.  I'm not sure If my seroma needs surgically removed or just drained.  I'll find out soon.  Sorry to hear about your Abscess, I hope everything works out for you.

Mine is not a seroma although it could be.  I do not know what it is or what is causing it.  All I know is that I am in pain, the infection is draining in my abdomen and they want to do a massive surgical procedure that freaks me out.  Thanks for replying, I appreciate your thoughts and concerns.