Question:
Help . . . I just found out I have a hernia on my incesion . . .

what is involved in repairing it. I think it is a pretty good size one. It repair difficult? Does it need to be done quickly? Can I ignore it? Please advise . . . thanks, Michele RNY 6/6/03 -92lbs    — Michele D. (posted on December 10, 2003)

December 10, 2003
You really need to talk to your surgeon about this and he/she can examine you and determine if this is a dangerous situation. I was trying to hold out and fix my hernia when I get a tummy tuck, my bowel became entrapped in the hernia and I got a bowel obstruction. I truely thought i was going to die the pain was so bad when I went to the emergency room... Emergency surgery was performed. I am "ok" now but have not felt the same since I had surgery in August. It was very traumatic having such a serious emergency. I couldn't get a tummy tuck due to the emrgency nature of the situation, but will likely have one next year if I geet my nerve up for another surgery. I really want it but I am afraid of being so sick again. good luck to you! really, only YOUR own Dr. can tell you what you need to do, no one else knows your whole medical situation.
   — **willow**

December 10, 2003
Michele, First of all, congratulations on your terrific success! I am just this week recovering from hernia repair surgery which was performed last Tuesday. I first suspected the hernia at about 4 months post op. At my 6 month check-up, the WLS surgeon confirmed it. He advised at that time to make an appointment with my PCP as a follow up to confirm and address possible repair (my WLS surgeon is located away from my hometown). He advised there was no hurry, but not to procrastinate for long, as there could certainly be serious complications if I ignored it. 2 months ago I saw a surgeon my PCP recommended. At that time, the hernia had indeed gotten larger, but there was no pain involved. Within a month or so, it started to become painful. Whenever I would eat, the intestines would protrude thru the hernia and was very very uncomfortable. I called the surgeon and scheduled the repair for last Tuesday. What should have been an outpatient, relatively easy surgical procedure with small incision resulted in a larger, 5" incision, overnight stay and longer, more painful recovery. I have just the past 2 days been able to stand upright. My tummy is still very swollen and tender. Had I addressed the hernia even 2 months ago, the surgery & recovery would have been much easier. As the previous poster recommended, don't delay in addressing the hernia. Not only can the complications be serious, the repair becomes more difficult and painful the longer you wait. Talk to your surgeon, follow his recommendations and follow your instincts! If you'd like more details on my experience & surgical details, I'd be happy to share. Just drop me an email. [email protected] Open RNY 1/3/03 330/185/175
   — chelle3081

December 11, 2003
I developed a hernia shortly after 6 months. After having the bypass surgery and also gallbladder surgery at 5 months, I was not anxious for another surgery so soon but I was willing to do it if needed. When I saw my surgeon, he actually said that they try to wait on the hernia repair until you are further out unless you are having complications. He said that it is better to wait until you have lost weight because they are more likely to re-occur when you are overweight. He said that complications can occur but they are fairly rare and more likely to happen with smaller hernias. With a large hernia, the tear in the muscle tends to stay open so the intestine does not get caught. I will be waiting until at least April for my repair as long as I do not have any complications. It's actually getting easier to live with the more weight I lose. It's still annoying as it looks like I haven't lost any weight in my upper stomach and it really bulges out if I strain, like in coughing and such. But I'm learning to live with it. It's been over 4 months so far and I have not had a problem. It's best to discuss it with your surgeon but I wouldn't spend a lot of time worrying about it unless s/he tells you it's a problem. Good luck. Janet
   — Janet S.