Hernia (not hiatal)

KarenG. · February 20, 2008

Has anyone been diagnosed with a hernia post op? This is not a hiatal hernai - in fact I had a hiatal hernia and it went away mostly when I lost weight. The hernia is not even close to where the surgery or incisions were. My surgeon said that it was probably always there and now that I have lost fat it is hurting. Anyone have a similar experience? If so did you opt for surgery to fix it or what did you do? Thanks in advance.

rakes4321 · February 20, 2008

I just walked in the door from my surgeons office. I have had pain across my belly at my belly button. I finally had to go in, it was starting to worry me. He stuck his finger in my belly button and within seconds, he said that I have a hernia. In 97, I had a spine fusion where they went in from the front, so I have a vertical scar from the bottom of my belly button to my pubis bone. He is guessing that the surgeon didn't close up completely. He said that it is more than likely internal fat that is poking out right now and is inflamed, and that I needed to kind of try to push it back when I lay down. He said that ideally, he would repair it after I have lost all of my weight, but if I can't stand the pain, that he needs to go in and repair it. Oh, and that heavy lifting will make it worse. Which is great, we are moving in 5 weeks and we have a house to pack! Yikes! Well, good luck to you with your situation. I don't know, "hernia" is such a gross word. They could have made it not sound so bad:wink2: What did your surgeon say? Are you in pain?

rakes4321 · February 20, 2008

oops, that was an abrupt ending.....Hope you do well with yours. I'm going to let is go until I can't stand the pain and then fly back to my surgeon and let him do it, I really like him.

KarenG. · February 20, 2008

Hi, my surgeon said that he wanted to see how was doing after a month or so. He said that it could be fixed when and if I get a Tummy Tuck. He said that it basically has to do with if I can stand the discomfort - he said there is a chance it will become "less symptomatic" whatever that means. I am not in terrible pain but it I do feel it constantly particularly after running or sitting at my desk for a long time. He thought that I probably always had it and that I feel it now because there is less fat to hold things in place (gross huh). Yes a hernia is a horrible sounding thing but I did not get the impression he thought it was very serious at this point. I am waiting to talk to my primary care physician to see what he has to say about all of this. NOT wanting another surgery this year at all! Keep me updated on your situation - send me a private message if you like.

K

Elisabethsew · February 21, 2008

The danger of having a hernia is that it could strangulate. The pain becomes severe and immediate surgery is necessary. Hernia repairs are almost always done via a laproscope approach so if you're having pain, you might want to consult a general surgeon and have it repaired.