Question:
How did Mary Gomez get that post-op hernia?

Can You get a hernia like that by overeating any time after surgery? Could it have been caused by anything else she might have done or failed to do?    — David R. (posted on March 9, 2004)

March 8, 2004
Incisional hernias are common for open patients because the muscle wall is cut for the big incision permanetely weakening it. Even following all the rules open patients get hernias:( LAP hernia risk is very low under 1% All this from my surgeon.
   — bob-haller

March 8, 2004
Hi, I had open rny 12/02. Developed an incisional hernia. Doc told me that it was probably nothing I did, but that about 30-40% of patients who have a large incision from the open get them. It's a roll of the dice usually. I wonder if all the food sensitivities and vomiting contributed, but as he said, "Probably not." Had the repair the 12th of February; rather like the open all over again. Not fun, but part of the territory of an open.
   — Mary Ann B.

March 8, 2004
My surgeon says about 1/3 of opens get hernias. This is important info for those having the lap vs open decision, espically if their job involves heavy lifting.
   — bob-haller

March 8, 2004
Several factors contribute to postop hernias...any sudden muscular stress on the abdominal wall, vomiting, coughing, straining/lifting can weaken the muscle incision and cause stitches to "pull through.". Excess weight also puts more stress on the incision. A large amount of fat under the skin may not heal as well, resulting in a higher chance for fluid collection and infection...this also weakens the abdominal wall.
   — DrL

March 8, 2004
Oh, let's see.... I was doing abdominal crunches the day after surgery right after I hauled 100 pound sacks of grain..... Sheesh. Hernias are a common complication with people who have had WLS. We're morbidly obese which causes abdominal muscles to break down anyway. Then when the abdomen gets cut open the abdominal walls are really weakened. Some don't pull through, such as mine, and the organs start pushing through the weakened wall. I've had quite a few people contact me with the same problem who have already had the surgery or will be having the surgery. Their support is awesome.
   — y0maria