Question:
Does everyone get hernia's?

I keep reading about post ops needing to have hernia's removed. Is this fairly common? Do most people develop hernia's?    — Kylie E. (posted on January 17, 2003)

January 16, 2003
According to my surgeon, about 30% of people with open RNY get a hernia.
   — barbara A.

January 16, 2003
Please be aware that it's not WLS that can cause a hernia, it's ANY surgery in which the abdominal wall is compromised (cut).
   — Leslie F.

January 16, 2003
Yeah if you want to avoid getting a hernia choose LAp SURGERY, NEAR zero hernia rate.
   — bob-haller

January 16, 2003
Yeah if you want to avoid getting a hernia choose LAp SURGERY, NEAR zero hernia rate.
   — bob-haller

January 16, 2003
My hernia was there pre-wls from a c-section...we left it to be taken care of with my panni :>) In some minor cases hernias can be a "good" thing as far as insurance is concerned and getting your panni taken care of :>)
   — [Deactivated Member]

January 17, 2003
I totally agree with Bob. The LAP is a good choice if that's a concern of yours.
   — Michael N.

January 17, 2003
Does this mean if you get yours done lap that you will most likely not develop a hernia? I thought you still ran that risk because they do have to cut through all the muscles and re-sew them back together again? Granted it's much smaller than an open incision but things are still cut. When I asked my surgeon, she said that it is still a possibility with lap, although MUCH less of a risk as compared to open. She said they close the spaces they created and then as you lose weight and fat stores, it's a possiblity the spaces can reopen. Anyway, just wanted to let you know what I had found out from mine because I thought I was still at risk even though I was having mine done lap.
   — Dee ,.

January 18, 2003
The poster who answered that ANY surgery can cause a hernia is 100% right. This Lap vs Open argument is nuts. I asked my surgeon who ONLY does open how many of his patients got hernias......2% and those people were over 400 lbs pre surgery. So it depends on you, your body and how you heal. Of course any doc is going to inlist his/her favorite surgery and tell you that one is better. Which kind of surgery you have is a personal choice. There is good and bad with both. Me? I CHOSE open, May 9 2002, 115 less lbs no hernia and none of my support group whom also had open have had hernias. So it's luck of the draw.
   — Gina D.