Question:
Is it common for gastric bypass patients to develop Hernias

I've noticed that many patients develop Hernias,is this common?And after having surgary for this can they come back?Also do u still continue to have pain from this from time to time or is there atime limit on this    — beverly S. (posted on February 13, 2005)

February 13, 2005
My surgeon says about 1/3rd of OPENS get at least 1 incisional hernia, and they can reoccur( The LAP rate for incisional hernias is near zero. This is because in open surgery the muscle wall is cut, LAP merely pokes holes in it. Something to think about when selecting a surgeon.
   — bob-haller

February 13, 2005
It is common for anyone that has an open abdominal surgery of any type to develope a hernia. Gall Bladder, appenditis, hysterectomy you name they all put you at risk for a hernia.
   — ChristineB

February 13, 2005
The standard is 25% of people who have any kind of open surgery that cuts the abdominal wall may end up with a hernia. I personally believe it also comes down to the toughness of your abdominal wall. I am 2 years out and was an open procedure and have not had any hernias. From early on I had 3 small areas of my incision that did not heal right and I had to pack them to get them to heal from the inside out. Two healed shut within a month, just like they should. The third one was determined to not heal. Consequently he would stick a long stick into it each time I saw him to determine if it was healing in depth or not. It was the diameter of a pencil but about 4-5 inches deep. He kept commenting, every time he would check the depth how strong my fascia was. He was very pleased with how it healed shut. There was a lot of resistance if he pushed on the stick, which meant it was going to take pressure from either side quite well. I waited 6 months before starting any abdominal crunches in my workouts. I wasn't going to push the chance of getting a hernia. All this said, hernias can develop decades later. My mom, 18 years later developed a hernia in the top of her gallbladder scar. Was going to the bathroom, pushed too hard and boom massive pain. A week later she was in surgery because the small bowel had poked it's way through the hole. Why after 18 yrs it would happen is beyond me, but it can happen. While it is a possibility of happening I would not hesitate to go ahead with surgery and with an open surgery if that is what is safest for you. At the time my surgeon would not even try LAP on someone as large as me. I do not regret going open!
   — zoedogcbr

March 15, 2005
I am 15 mos. post op - Lap RNY. I was rushed into emergency surgery on 3/6/05 because of a hernia the size of a silver dollar in which the small bowl was protruding through. I guess I am just unlucky. I do have to say that the incision directly above my belly button took a very long time to heal the first time and that was where my hernia occured so that may have had something to do with it.
   — Jendeclan

May 7, 2005
Well, I was 9 mo. post-op LAP Gastric Bypass and had an Internal Hernia that was just repaired this week. I was told it was very common because of the fast weight loss and the intestines don't have alot of room to go. And they can get tied up in that window area. I was told about 3% usually get one. I also have lost 93% of my weight in 9 mo. so my surgeon has sewn up that window for cause and hopefully it will not be back again because it was NOT fun. Nadine
   — NadineM