Question:
Did anyone get a Hernia from the surgery?

I am experiencing a sharp stabbing, pinching feeling on the left side of my stomach. I saw the dr for it and he said my mucsles need time to heal. But i noticed this pain come on after 6 weeks post op. And think exercising did it. I didn't think of a hernia until I left the dr's office. But I don't think this is normal pain, all day everyday. No matter if I am sitting down or cutting potatoes. The pain won't go away. So I wanted to know if people have had a hernia because of the surgery. Thank you    — sf (posted on April 12, 2005)

April 12, 2005
I've had the sharp pain on the left lower belly since 2 days after surgery. I am almost 3 weeks post op mine is intermittent, it is definitely not a hernia. Hernia's are not painful. It could be gas pain, but during my preop class I was told that there is a phantom pain that some get in that area and to expect it, nothings wrong. I haven't had it in a few days, so give it a little time. I hope this helps a little. Denise
   — dlryanoates

April 12, 2005
Hey S F! There is a strong possibility that we can get hernias due to this or any abdominal surgery.... however... only 6 weeks is a short time! I am out almost 10 months, and I STILL get a "twang" of pain and pulling every now and again. It takes a very long time to heal so just give it alot more time. If you feel in tremendous discomfort, just keep your DR posted, and let him know what you are feeling. He will know for sure. Much luck and God Bless!!! Angelina
   — angelina1970

April 12, 2005
im almost 2 years postop and i noticed a bulge above my belly button along long my open rny scar, it started about a year after i had my surgery, and hernias CAN be painful for some of us. with an open rny your chances of developing one are alot higher because of the scar. you may have something else going on cause its a little soon for you to develop one.
   — shellypoe

April 13, 2005
I had a massive hernia that had to be repaired four months after I had my RNY. The surgeon that did the hernia repair said that if he wouldn't had found suture material in the incision area he would had assumed I hadn't even been stitched up after my RNY, the hernia was that big! I didn't feel any real pain, although you can, I just was constantly uncomfortable! One way to detect a possible hernia is to lie down on the floor or your bed and bear down as is you were going to do a sit-up. If you feel a hard lump in your abdominal area that goes away as soon as you relax, you may have a hernia.
   — y0maria

April 13, 2005
I was 4 1/2 months out and was helping my son move and felt a pinching pain and about 3 weeks later off and on i would get some pain not much but enough to make me uncomfortable so i asked my doc and she checked me right there in the office and i do have one its just starting but i'll wait until i'm ready for a tummy tuck cause with a hernia sometimes ur insurance will cover the tt while they fix the hernia. good luck and keep checking with ur doc if it gets worse. Darlene
   — babyblues62

April 13, 2005
For OPENS yes incisional hernias are very common because the muscle wall is cut. My surgeon Dr Philip Schauer says about 1/3 of opens get at least one hernia. For LAP the rate is near zero, something worth considering when selecting a surgeon and deciding on LAP vs Open. Keep in touch with your surgeon and PCP, if you get severe pain go to the ER immediately.
   — bob-haller

April 13, 2005
I'm 9 months post-op from an open RNY, and I've had a hernia for quite some time. It's right above the belly button, and as with my past two hernia's, it makes me very sick to my stomach at times. Hernia's absolutely can be painful. Just feel around the area that is bothering you, you should be able to feel it if it is a hernia. I'm trying to hold out till I lose a little bit more weight so I can combine the tummy tuck and hernia repair but mine feels pretty big so I'm not sure i'll be able to wait. Better to be safe than sorry, i'd have it checked out soon. Good luck.
   — Kelley

April 14, 2005
I am about 16 months out from surgery. I just had exploratory surgery 3 weeks ago. I had severe pain in my pouch area and below and radiating everywhere. I had exrays - MRI and visits to 2 different ER's before my surgeon decided to do exploratory surgery. What he found was an internal hernia the size of half my little finger near where he reconnected my intestine to my pouch. They also found a "raging" ulcer going on. The pain actually went from gradual at about 8 months out to the severe - can't stand it anymore at 16 months. Good Luck in finding out what your pain is.
   — carol18