Question:
I am 4 weeks post op from incisional hernia repair. I am experiencing strange pains

in my abdominal area, like pulling sensation only it is painful,called my surgeons office at the Mayo Clinic and was told this may continue for life..Anyone have similar surgery and understand what I mean and how is life for you now?    — Kathy S. (posted on December 30, 2004)

December 29, 2004
Goodness, I do understand exactly what you are describing. It took longer for me to recover from the hernia repair than it did from the WLS. My energy level took longer to come back, the tenderness in the incision area lasted for months and I still have soreness/tightness occassionally (especially if I've been physically active, working those tummy muscles). I did ask my PCP if this was normal, and like you, I was told that yes, unfortunately, sometimes it is. Did they use a mesh for your repair? They did on my procedure, utilizing the existing incision line from the Open WLS and I can still feel, occassionally, the edges of the mesh where it was attached pulling and feeling tight. (The mesh is about 6"x8" with my belly button just about in the center). After one year, it has finally become very infrequent and no longer terribly painful. But I always know the mesh is there and that things were repaired. It feels like an internal 'shield' just under the top layer of muscle. One positive note, however, is the area above the mesh/shield, is nice and tight! I can def see a difference in the skin saggy-ness (is that a word? LOL) compared to the rest of my tummy area. Hopefully, as you continue to recover and your body accepts the mesh (assuming they used a mesh for repair) you will have relief from the tenderness and extreme tightness/pulling. Should the areas where you are experiencing tenderness and tightness ever begin to swell, please let your surgeon know as this could be a sign of a Seroma (or fluid build up) and they can provide treatment to give you some relief. Don't be afraid to ask for pain meds to help, thats what they are there for! ~Open WLS 1/3/03 330/140 Happy New Year!
   — chelle3081

December 29, 2004
When they opened me they found an infection and were unable to use mesh. Glad to hear I am not alone in this strange pain. Without the mesh though I am afraid to ever take off my binder.
   — Kathy S.

December 30, 2004
I had two large pieces of mesh put in to repair my incisional hernia on 4/1/4 and like the previous poster that surgery was way harder then my WLS. Even now if I turn wrong, cough hard or exercise too much I can feel a tenderness from the mesh pulling. But it's not a constant pain so I don't need pain meds. I would say if your pain is not constant and it's a pulling sensation then it's probably normal. Constant pain would not be.
   — y0maria

December 30, 2004
Hi Kathy, OMG Iam not alone!!!!! yes I have that pulling strange feeling all the time, i had surgery Oct 7th of this year, and I thought something was wrong with me, I also Just found out I have another Hernia, I liked to died when I found that out!!! And its on the other side now, and it can stay there for now, its not bothering me and my body isnt ready yet for more surgery :( ! I also think the recovery for Hernias was much more worse then the WLS. that is why Iam in no hurry for another Hernia operation right yet. Well I hope all well goes right for you...........Happy New Years!!! And take care. Christine 151 lbs on the losing side.......WLS 8/12/03
   — blainejrjeni

December 31, 2004
Bless your heart *hugs* I had hernia repair last July 04 and must say that that was one of the worst surgeries I went thru in my life. Have had about 12 surgeries for different things in my life (2 WLS surgeries and a few C sections to name a few). I still have that pulling sensation at times since my surgery. Mostly my pain is lower like they call a "stitch in the side" pulling feeling low in the pelvis area on sides of my hips. I think they went below my belly button due to precious C sections and scar tissue. Gas pains are painful @ times and hurt more than use to when I consume carbs. I would go thru it again to get rid of the hernia which looked like a baby alien LOL. They used mesh on me btw. Hope you get relief - mine finally eased down the journey -so hope yours does too.
   — WLS_Deb