Question:
How long before having a hernia repaired?

I had a hernia since July and my surgeon said as long as it is not giving me problems he wants to wait to repair it since if it were repaired now, it would most likely develop again. While it's not giving me problems, it's getting bigger and I just don't like it bulging everytime I cough or have a bowel movement. At this point it will probably be another year before I am close enough to goal, which is when my surgeon wants to repair it. Has anyone else dealt with a hernia for that long. I trust my surgeon, just want to know how others out there have lived with a hernia...incisional hernia...I am almost 7 months post-op.    — Sarahlicious (posted on October 29, 2003)

October 29, 2003
Hi Sarah, Yeah - I had mine for 6 years (post emergency c-section ventral hernia) - just had it repaired (with abdominoplasty) in May at 10 months post-op from my DS. It was borderline emergent. I'd lost about 150 lbs by then (I'm down 183 now), but man, I wish I could have waited until goal! I have about 57 more pounds to lose, and I'm going to have to have another abdominoplasty once I'm there. The fewer surgeries, the better, in my book! If your surgeon understands that you're dealing with bulging NOW and that coughing and BMs are exacerbating it, and is comfortable with waiting, then I'd try and trust him. Of course, knowledge is power! Make sure you know the signs of a strangulated hernia - they can be life-threatening. If you start to have symptoms - don't stop go, don't collect $200 - get your surgeon's attention ASAP! Blessings, dina
   — Dina McBride

October 29, 2003
I felt mine pop out the second day after my RNY surgery 10 months ago, from all the coughing I was doing. I also see "Hermie" getting bigger as I get smaller. I have not had any pain and my doctors are aware it is there. I was at a surgeon just a few weeks ago and he is sending me for a CT scan this week to see how much is actually open on the inside. I want to wait for PS too. See my profile and read what my PCP mentioned for Hermie's care
   — jocelyn

October 29, 2003
I first noticed mine at about 4 months post-op and my surgeon wanted to wait til I was ready for a tummy tuck before doing anything. I had my hernias (all 9 of them) repaired and my tummy tuck when I was 14 months post-op.
   — Patty_Butler