Question:
Can scar tissue cause Hernia-like pain at 2.5 years post op?

I have been having hernia-like pain for over a year now, and it is getting progressivly worse. I am 2.5 years post op, Lap RNY and had a baby five months ago. When I first discovered I was pregnant last summer, I was having this pain and asked my surgeon about it. He checked me out and said it wasn't a hernia but to keep an eye on it. Well, I go to him on Monday, but wanted to ask if any other long-term post op has had this experience. It comes on if I bend over to my right side, and it is like something is getting caught in a vise grip. It doesn't ease up when I straighten up, either... something feels caught in there and it just kills me! When I try to pick up my baby and lean that way, it catches me and just HURTS like crazy. I can't do anything but dance around in pain, massage my stomach (which doesn't help), and wait it out. It lasts anywhere from five minutes to five hours... and boy, the after-pain can hurt for days afterwards, too. It doesn't LOOK like a hernia... nor feel a buldge in there like a hernia would... any ideas?? Thanks so much in advance!!! Sharon    — Sharon m. B. (posted on August 2, 2004)

August 2, 2004
Sharon, I don't know what it is, but I've had the same thing since my LBL. It's on one side, to the left of my belly button, and if I stretch a certain way (too far back and to the side) it pulls and causes a sharp pain that hangs around. I can then be sore for awhile. I think it's scar tissue. My PS said to massage the area, but I don't think it does anything. It's not a constant thing though. I can go a long while these days without pulling it, and then I'll move in that weird way, and it pulls again.
   — mom2jtx3

August 2, 2004
Original Poster here: YOU'VE GOT TO BE KIDDING!! I've got to deal with this horrible, breath-taking "grabbing" sensation for the rest of my life???? DANG!! It was WELL WORTH IT!! LOL! Dang it all... I'd really hate to have to deal with this for the rest of my life, but... oh well! I'd do it again!!!! :~) Thanks Linda!! :~)
   — Sharon m. B.

August 2, 2004
OK, bear with me here b/c all I know about this is what I read on the main message board a couple of days ago. Another member was describing her experience with a strangulated small bowel. She had lap RNY and says that because the surgeon did not close the mesenteric lining in the lap portals, her small bowel would move into these holes and cause pain, eventaully the bowel moved in and could not get out into the cavity again and that is what caused her strangulation and she had to have surgery to remove the portion that strangulated. I can't remember her name for you, sorry! You might want to post the question over on the message board in case she only reads over there. Hope you can get some answers and Congrats on the baby!!
   — Ali M

August 3, 2004
i don't know if mine is the same as yours either, but i am 2 years out as of 8/2/04, and i get real bad stomach pains, but mine are right under my breasts, and my stomach will get hard as a rock, and the pain can last for quite a while...i am currently on pain pills for it, and that is the only thing that takes the pain away for me.....i have been checked for hernia, and i've had an endoscopy, i guess to check for ulcers and things, and my stomach came back perfectly healthy....my surgeon told me it could be adhesions, which he said is scar tissue, but could not do anything about it unless i came into him while i had the pains and they could do surgery...so i've decided to live with it...but i mainly get mine after i've eaten, so mine could be where i've eaten too much or just the wrong foods....but good luck.
   — jennifer P.

August 4, 2004
Sharon, I'm so glad you posted this. I have been wondering this very same thing. It's been very frustrating and many times I've felt like my surgeon just isn't concerned or doesn't believe me. It hurts, darn it. Like you, the pain will last anywhere from 5 mins to over an hour and I'm so sore afterwards, for several days. I've had a hernia repair lower in the abdomin, to the left of my belly button, but this pain is just above the mesh that was inserted, at the top of my scar, just under the breast bone and will literally radiate thru to my back. Takes my breathe away sometimes. My surgeon has confirmed that there is a tiny hernia in the area, but in his opinion, should not be causing this type of pain. Something is causing the pain. Like you, I feel it may be scar tissue/adhesions. What can they do for it? Who knows. I'll go for days without it, then all of sudden it shows up. No pattern to consider with food intake, activities or the like. I just don't have a clue. Very frustrating. Would love to hear what your surgeon says when you see him. Open RNY 1/3/03 and at goal. 330/150
   — chelle3081