Hernia on Scar

[chosen66]

Have had 3 bowel re-sections. Recently found out that I have a hernia on my scar. Surgeon says I need surgery.

Questions:

• Who has gone through this?
• What is expected time of recuperation?
• Is this a necessary surgery?

Thanks in advance for any help.

 

[DustyKat]

Hi chosen,

I have no experience with the first two but generally you would need to have the incisional hernia repaired if any of the following are occurring:

It is getting larger.
It is causing pain.
You don't like the look of it or
It is out all the time and not just when pressure is exerted.

I guess if one or more of these things is happening that's why the surgeon has suggested it needs to be repaired. Aside from the cosmetic choice they can be cause for concern as there is always the risk of strangulation.

Hope that helps
Dusty

 

[chosen66]

Hi chosen,

I have no experience with the first two but generally you would need to have the incisional hernia repaired if any of the following are occurring:

It is getting larger.
It is causing pain.
You don't like the look of it or
It is out all the time and not just when pressure is exerted.

I guess if one or more of these things is happening that's why the surgeon has suggested it needs to be repaired. Aside from the cosmetic choice they can be cause for concern as there is always the risk of strangulation.

Hope that helps
Dusty

Not getting larger
No pain
Don't care about the look
Only out when pressure is exerted.

 

[DustyKat]

Maybe he is being proactive and wants to nip it in the bud before any problems do start?

 

[Lulu]

I had an incisional hernia repair done a couple of months ago after having 2 previous surgeries so close together. The hernia repair was a breeze in comparison to the other two ops, no pain or discomfort afterwards either. Was only off work for a week. At the same time the surgeon cut out all of my original scar (looked like I had been butchered with a knife & fork) and tidied it all up for me. I still have a long scar right down my stomach but looks a 100% better than it did.
Just had to take it easy with the exercise for a few weeks after but am now back to normal.

 

[chosen66]

Was it done laparascopically? Because my surgeon won't do that.

 

[Crohn's 35]

Most laproscopically done surgeries are as a general done the first time. If there is extensive diesease or scar tissues they can't, they go the full surgery way. So, since I had 2 resections , first one laproscopic, second one full surgery and a messy one, I know if and when a 3rd one comes it has to be full surgery. Sucks I know.

 

[Lulu]

Hey Chosen, my first surgery was an emergency laparotomy so was cut down the full length of my stomach. After the first op I had an abscess burst through the original scar so had another laparotomy to drain the abscess.

My hernia was not too bad and was sort of done with a laproscopy and then a shallow cut all the way down my stomach to remove the original scar and neater it all up again.

 

[chosen66]

Hey Chosen, my first surgery was an emergency laparotomy so was cut down the full length of my stomach. After the first op I had an abscess burst through the original scar so had another laparotomy to drain the abscess.

My hernia was not too bad and was sort of done with a laproscopy and then a shallow cut all the way down my stomach to remove the original scar and neater it all up again.

How much time should I expect to miss from work? I was told to expect 3 days in the hospital.

Were you NPO afterwards? If so, for how long?

Thanks

 

[Lulu]

Sorry, not sure what NPO stands for.

I was only in hospital overnight and had a week off work.

 

[Silvermoon]

NPO = Nothing by mouth (literally = "nothing per oral" ... lol )

Hey chosen... hope all goes well for you...

For the most part, following the criteria Dusty gave above, incisional hernia operations are usually done as she mentioned above. So it sounds like your surgeon is, like she said, being "pro-active" to omit any further complications.

I have had 3 full-open surgeries, and one laproscopic surgery, but have never had a hernia after (abcess yes...hernia no...lol).

That being siad, being a nurse and knowing how long, for example, women who have had C-sections stay in the hospital, I would guess about 2-4 days as well, as a hernia repair shouldn't be as intrusive as the resection surgery... However, I would still expect a couple of weeks rest at home afterwards.... again, thinking aobut my c-section moms...at least 3 weeks before you are up to par....

I wouldn't expect NPO afterwards, as again, it is a surface surgery... the intestine wouldn't be involved... but it would probably be clear fluids 1st day, full fluids 2nd day...and so on...as all anesthetics will slow the bowel down/put it to "sleep", so we wouldn't want to try a Big Mac right off the bat... lol

But that is just my best guess.... Good luck!!

 

[Lulu]

I was allowed normal dinner after my hernia op, nothing too heavy not certainly not just liquids. Over night stay and home the next morning. Had to take it easy but could still drive my car, climb stairs etc. There wasnt even any pain afterwards.

It all depends on how bad the hernia is and mine wasnt considered too bad. Good luck with it all and please let us know how you go.