Question:
I just went for my 1 year check up and was told I have an internal hernia .

Can anyone tell me how long it takes to recover from having this repaired? Thanks, Carol    — CAROL M. (posted on March 21, 2005)

March 21, 2005
I've had two hernial repairs -- they weren't too bad. The went back in through 3 of the origional 4 scars, and my bellybutton. The recovery was much easier than the original surgery because I could eat! Maybe a week were it was hard, and then another week of being tired, and then it was pretty much back to normal.
   — Deirdre M.

March 21, 2005
I personally felt the hernia surgery was worse than the open RNY..Took me much longer to recover, in fact a few months before I felt back to normal but I am 55 and my age could be a factor..Best of luck to you.
   — Kathy S.

March 22, 2005
Hi. An "internal" hernia could mean a hiatal hernia, which is when the stomach protrudes through the diaphragm partially. It is associated with acid reflux. An incisional hernia (also called a ventral hernia) is a separation of your surgery incision that allows intestines or fat to poke through. Both may need surgery, especially if you are having problems.
   — DrL

March 24, 2005
I am 15 months post-op and was having severe pain when I ate...they did exploratory surgery and docs suspicion was right...hernia. He said that when you lose a lot of weight it tends to pull on the intestine where they attached it and part of it protrudes through the hole strangling the intestine. My surgery was similar to the lap rny I had but only took a week to recover...they did remove my gallbladder too...the hernia was on the left, gall bladder was on the right. 5 small incisions just like my lap rny. Not too bad for recovery and he said it is remotely possible that it will happen again...happens often in wls patients due to the sudden loss.
   — boonikki29

April 1, 2005
I was about 11 months post -op, when I had my internal hernia. I woke up 1 day with a funny stomach pain,(thought I ate something I shouldn't have). As the day went on the pain got worse, wound up in the ER and having emergency surgery. When we lose so much weight things inside are not as tightly packed as before. My intestine had wrapped itself around and adhesion that was from the bypass. Not something to fool around with, I was lucky I got treatment early and I have good surgeons, they suspected it right away and sent for CT scans and X-rays. IF not treated your intestine can die. Recovery was easy, I had the repair laparascopically.
   — goldroses