Has anyone have hernias and complications after resection

[SylvieA]

Had a resection on April 3rd, stayed in hospital a total of 8 days after surgery. All looked well other than my surgical would was leaking a watery bloody liquid and doctors reassured me that all is was is a build up of fluids, and was best that is came out. Well 2 days after being home, when the nurse came to change the bandages, she seemed a bit worried as the fluids had become a brownish color, but there was no odor to it. She just told me to keep an eye in it. Well, early evening, I felt gas moving through the lower left, where I got the resection and abscess removed, then felt the gas and a warm feeling where the bandages were. It was a waterproof one so I could shower, so I could see the bandage fill with air. I just opened it a bit, just enough that I could see more leakage and let the air out. So hubby drove me to the hospital, got some x-rays and CT scan done. A fistula had formed from the surgical area of the intestine to the wound. A pocket had formed in the abdomen where stools collected from fistula. So I needed a small surgery just to clean things up and put a temp collector bag, They kept part of the wound open with a penrose to allow draining. Looks like the intestine is closing up fine since I don't have much leakage, maybe 2-5ml/day, and I'm on IV/picc line feeding. Haven't had anything to eat or drink for 16days now. Just can't wait to be able to eat and have the collector bag out.
Now, I've been told that my abdominal muscles are separated and will have a hernia, it's below the belly button, so easy to hide, but assume will be uncomfortable wearing certain types of clothing. My surgeon said she could repair it, but not for a few months and wants to give a chance for all inflammation and everything to heal properly.
Just wondering if anyone had similar experience and would like to share with me the outcome. Good or bad.

Sylvie

 

[alex_chris]

Hey Sylvie,

Sorry to hear you had all these post surgery problems. It has been a while since my surgery in 2003. I had what was called secondary wound healing, that is basically an infection (quite deep) in the cut (they cut from above to below the belly button, about 4 inch long). After several wound clean ups (from the exterior) it eventually healed. The muscles are still partially torn, although I can of course use them. I am male, so hair grows on my belly and you can't really see the scar, but it's of course still there.

On the point of not being able to eat for a long time, I know, that's tough. The surgeon back when I was operated was of the opinion (I think quite rightly so) that patients have to stop eating anything about a week before surgery, so the intestine really rests. Same held true for after surgery, so I was on no food (just water and some unsweetened tea) for about 15 days and then thereafter another week on porridge type food and other non-solid food.

Anyway, I hope you'll be alright soon. You don't mention it in your post, are you on a post-op long-term management plan (immunosuppresives, biologics?).

 

[SylvieA]

Thanks alex_chris. I've had one remicade infusion about 6 or 7 weeks ago. I'll be continuing, but doc wants to wait a bit until inflammation and fistula has healed, which I'm almost there. There doesn't seem to be much leakage anymore, so doc will make me drink colored water on Friday and see if any comes out. If it's clear, then I can start eating again, most likely on a progressive and low residue diet until and move up from there. I so miss my food. It's all looking positive, except that I'll have to deal with a hernia until it can be fixed, but rather have that than being stuck in a hospital and not seeing my kids and hubby every day.

 

[SylvieA]

Oh, and I'm on 40mg of prednisone as well. Will need to start reducing the dosage soon and get off it.