Question:
Should I repair a large incisional hernia now, or wait up to nine months for my TT?

I am 3 months post-op (open RNY). At 10 weeks post-op, I simply sneezed, as I had done a hundred other times... but with this sneeze I felt a horrible tearing in my abdomen. My whole belly was immediately sore and very tender. After a few days, I was black&blue from broken blood vessels. After two weeks - I went to my PCP about the "swelling and hardness" of my belly. (I am a 53 year old male - and think I now know what pregnancy feels like). My PCP immediately diagnosed a ventral hernia. He suggested I wait until I'm ready for a tummy tuck to take care of the hernia. I've heard many others talk about exercising and living with hernia for years. I simply can't imagine it. I have no sharp pain from the hernia - but it is very large and uncomfortable, and makes any kind of regular exercise impossible. Has anyone else experienced this dilemma?    — Lin B. (posted on December 26, 2002)

December 26, 2002
Thankfully I never had a hernia (Open RNY 5-8-01) but IF I had, personally I would not be willing to risk waiting all those months to do it with a TT. Guess I'd be afraid of it getting worse and having a major problem. I know it would be nice to avoid two surgeries, but do you think you can safely wait that long? Only you can guess that. Best of luck with whatever you decide.
   — Danmark

December 26, 2002
My husband has lived with a hernia so big you can see it across the room for years. Every so often he sees a surgeon but due to his obesity and sleep apena they all advise to leave it alone unless he can't push his intestines back thru it. At that point he must get to surgery within 18 hrs. Only you can decide. Having a hernia would probably make getting tt approval a lot easier....
   — lessofme170

December 27, 2002
I agree with the previous answer. According to my surgeon, they like to wait and do it with the TT. Insurance companies might allow it with another procedure. And if they do not allow it, they are paying for the other procedure so it will cut down on your costs for other charges (facility charges, meds, etc) Good Luck
   — roryleigh