Surgery Thursday

Hi everyone, I have not been on OH in quite some time.  I posted once after my Dasie passed and then posted photos of my new Angel. 

As many of you may recall, I had bowel obstruction surgery last May.  I went online and searched Spigelian hernia on ObesityHelp and was surprised to see posts made by me 2 weeks prior to having my emergency where I was asking others about their symptoms.  It was deja vu all over again.  Anyway, I am a little more than upset, to say the least. 

Since 2010, I have been living with a recurring bulge on the right side of my abdomen that protrudes during exercise, bowel movements, bending over, laughing and for no other apparent reason.  Presently I have an ever so slight dull pain in that area.  Nothing severe; I am just aware of a tender area. 

Three times I mentioned this to my surgeon, and 3 times I was told it was a cramp.  Deep in my heart I knew better, but my respect for my surgeon prohibited me from arguing the point.  Once I had the bowel obstruction, I can honestly say my enthusiasm for my journey was diminished following my obstruction because 1 week later I was again experiencing bulges and again told it was a cramp when I went for my 2 week post op followup.

Fast forward to this year.  The bulge continues often not wanting to retract quite so quickly.  I finally began mentioning it to my other health care providers who all said "classic hernia symptoms."  Upon hearing my symptoms when I met my PCP for my annual exam, my PCP quickly ordered CT scan and made a referral to a surgeon.

I met with him yesterday.  The CT scan clearly shows a hernia, but he believes I have 2.  The umbilical, which he believes is incisional, and a Spigelian hernia.  He scheduled surgery for next week.  The sad thing for me is not only does it show on the scan, he said he can feel the umbilical/incisional hernia on exam.

I'm so disappointed in my surgeon whom I have held in the highest regard.  I still believe he is an excellent surgeon, but I fear the need to keep the statistics for complications  minimal may have clouded his judgement.  The surgeon yesterday said though he was not privy to my obstruction surgery, he wonders whether it was  caused by the hernia I have obviously had since 2010.  Naturally he could not say for certain.

I would appreciate your prayers.  If I do indeed have both, as he suspects, he said the repair will be bigger than any surgery I have had to date pain and recovery wise.  I'm really nervous about this.  I spent so much time researching my bypass, choice of surgeon etc., that for this I am going on the faith of my PCP and excellent consult I had yesterday with this new surgeon.  Now more than ever, I realize we must be proactive in our health care needs and bold if we believe we are not being heard or believe our diagnosis is inaccurate. 

Presently I feel like I am without benefit of my bariatric surgeon and do not have it in me to return for aftercare.

I will be praying for your quick recovery and I hope that this will fix all the problems you have had.

Sorry your surgeon let you down.  Is your new surgeon familiar with bypass surgery?

How is your new Angel? 

Linda

Thank you, Lindsa.  I did not have a chance to ask that very important question but will call the office.  Everything happened so quickly.  I gave always believed it was a hernia. I pray this resolves this issue once and for all.  It has been hanging over my head so long, and I've been ignoring it because I simply did not know where or to whom to turn..  I am perplexed by it all - mostly the refusal to diagnosis it for what it was.

Oh Daisie, I'm so sorry.  I wish you a super speedy recovery and that you're back to playing with Angel really soon.  ((Hugs)) HP.

Thank you so much. 

You are so right - we need to be our own best advocates.  It is really sad when a surgeon doesn't listen to their patients and brushes them off. 

If you are inclined NOT to return to the office, I would at least write a letter telling them what has happened, results and how you were not taken seriously by your surgeon because of "statistics".  That is NOT in the best interest of anyone. 

Swinging critters and saying prayers for you. 

You are right about writing the letter.  In fairness to him, he had me transported to his location when I had my obstruction last May.  I greatly, greatly appreciate him for doing that.  I wanted no other surgeon to do that surgery.  With the exception of his refusal to investigate this recurring issue, I have been so pleased with his care.  Nevertheless I am still perplexed and saddened as to why he would not investigate the complaint.  I did not contact his office for any purpose other than scheduling my yearly review.  I'm not that type of patient.  I will endure a lot before going to the doctor.  For that reason it is certainly not because  I was a nuisance.  On the contrary, I only mentioned it at my yearly exams.  Right now I am overly nervous, but the bulge occurs more often, is larger, more tender, so I have no choice.  It must be addressed.

I would not change a thing, and I have had good success.  I hope my surgeon knows that.    I'm sure I was prone to this due to my lifelong chronic constipation, being obese, previous surgeries, etc. 

so sorry you have had to go through this.  praying this will settle the issue for good. 

Thank you Price.  I continue to be thankful for my bypass and do not regret the choices I made - from surgeon to surgery type.  I have no regrets.  I'm just ready to get this addressed.  Ever since the obstruction, combined with the continued bulges, it has been hanging over my head never too far from my thoughts.  I am once again thankful for this site and all the posts regarding this issue.  It is a treasure trove of information.