ventral hernia repair problem

[goodnuff 239]

I started having a burning pain that turned into sensitivity around my belly button on monday. I knew I was seeing my surgeon on Wednesday for my three month follow-up appointment so I just waited until then. He thinks on of the sutures that anchors the mesh "popped". He asked the same question he has asked at every appointment, how much weight I lift at work. I told him once again that I'm a labor and delivery nurse and my patients weigh 150-300 pounds. In urgent situations I reposition them by myself and they often have epidurals that limit their ability to help. I also help hold their legs while they push their baby out for up to 3 or 4 hours. Epiduralized legs are not light. I don't understand why he seems to have a difficult time grasping the concept that my job is physically demanding. The first time I answered that question he tried dismissing my answer by stating that "babies don't weigh that much do they?" I told him that as a Labor Nurse I rarely hold a baby, I work with the moms. Anyway, after listing some of the things I do in a typical day he advised me to wear an abdominal binder at work.

He told me at my six week appointment not to do sit ups or anything that would crunch my stomach in half but cleared me to start working with a personal trainer. I followed his instructions but was curious why I couldn't do a sit up if I was released to work where I'm bending, stooping etc.? I asked if I could continue my work outs, he kept saying that he doesn't think I need to lift weights and that I should just do cardio to lose weight. I explained to him that I do the weight lifting to tone-up and build strength, he seemed confused as to why I would want to do that but said it was ok to do. I asked if I could do planks, again...I'm engaging my core at work All. The. Time. His response was to "give it two months to heal". So I can work. I can work out. But I'm not supposed to use my abdominal muscles? Umm, ok.

The biggest irritation is that this hernia never bothered me before surgery. I was aware that my stomach pooched out a bit but it never hurt and never gave me problems. Now there's constant pain, severity depends on position and if I have anything to eat or drink. I really really hope this isn't the start of long term complications.

Anyone have similar hernia issues after repair?

[CowgirlJane 14,259]

So the mesh is for hernia repair? I had hernia repair but I wasn't told about mesh or any lifting restrictions once I was past 6-8 weeks.

[lisacaron 5,075]

@@goodnuff my husband had a hernia repaired a few years before we had bariatric surgery. I did not like the way that Dr. put the mesh in and always thought that it was never "right" now as he has lost weight and been doing more sure enough the hernia has popped back through around the area of the mesh and he needs to have it done again!

This time our bariatric Dr. will do the hernia repair, but they are right about restrictions for a few months after the repair work is done. It takes anywhere from 3-6 months for that area to heal. Doing heavy lifting and/or core work could cause the sutures to rupture and push the organs out again and re-create the hernia.

When you have a hernia (you probably know this being a nurse) your organs (intestine) are being pushed out through and past a whole or weakness in the muscle. This can end up in necrosis of the organ, and it can lose oxygen and blood flow causing that area to die and cause a whole new host of serious issues. When the organs push through or around the mesh it is even worse as the mesh could actually puncture the organs.

Have them take an x-ray, CT scan or sonogram to really check and make sure you are OK.

My hubs is a fire fighter and was out of work for nearly 4 months from that umbilical hernia repair due to lifting restrictions.

I wish you all the best!! Take care of you!!

[goodnuff 239]

Thanks lisacaron. The bariatric surgeon did my bypass and two hernia repairs, I was surprised when let me return to work without restrictions at six weeks. His nurse even verified it with him because I had complications, a bowel obstruction, that required a second surgery a week after the bypass, she wanted to be sure that he had remembered that. I trust that my personal trainer will be able to modify my workouts but I can't change what I do at work other than wearing the binder. It doesn't fit well and rolls up on itself so this should be a fun 8 weeks. Good luck to your husband.

@cowgirljane, he used mesh to repair both hernias. Not all doctors use it. The only restrictions he gave me after 6 weeks was not to do "sit-ups or crunches"

Edited June 11, 2015 by goodnuff