I had my incisional hernia opeartion, 3 weeks ago. It occuried from an appendix operation I had 4 years ago and had been waiting 2 years for the hernia operation.
The operation was done via keyhole surgery with 10 puncture wounds which inserted a mesh 20 x 25cm. I was in hospital 2 days.
Three weeks on and I am still in agony, cannot bend over, can only sleep on my back I am walking hunched over which is putting strain on my back, constant tiredness (maybe the cocodamol) and I am getting really fed up with the constant pain, was told I would be fine in 2-3 weeks.
Has anyone else suffered this constant pain and will it eventually pass.
I have just had this done following the same operation. I am wondering how you are now and hope yo are feeling better.
Hi Poppy,
It is strange reading my discussion thread as now 12 weeks have elapsed and I feel great. I was off work for 8 weeks and to be honest i couldnt wait to get back, was so fed up sitting about the house.
It was difficult, with the pain but it eases over time, just take it easy and dont exert yourself. I saw the consultant for a follow up about 7 weeks after the operation and he said keyhole is a major operation and takes time to heal.
I hope you recover soon but it will be worth it when you reach a full recovery.
Thank you for replying so quickly. This is the first time ever I have posted a message on the Net so am really grateful
Unfortiunately the surgeon had to make a large incision - not keyhole so I make take longer to heal, but still feel encouraged!
All the best
I had incisional hernia redone 1 week ago - 1st 4 years ago.with open surgery 2nd time keyhole. Told to expect considerable discomfort at first especially on turning torso left or right. Sleeping (well) sitting up. Taking easy walking exercise each day - gradually extending. Up to 3/4 mile now. Quite extensive bruising below lowest incision point and bruising starting to come out around edge of mesh area. Surgeon had to dissect considerable scar tissue from previous ops and told me to expect this.
Follow up visit to outpatients a week tomorrow.
Thought it might help to know of others going through similar experience.
Hi Ironside.
Seems you have had it more severe than my operation. I did not experience any bruising after my surgery but hoping you are 'on the mend.'
I noticed I was more painful at the lowest incision point - every time I moved it felt like the mesh was pulling on tissue and I felt as if the mesh was going to break but again it will hopefully ease.
Its been 13 months and I feel great, I take it easy when trying to lift heavy objects etc.. but other than that I have had no problems.
Good Luck.
Hi. First time here. I have developed an incisional hernia 4 months after bowel cancer surgery. Dr says just keep an eye on it, but being a worrier, I am concerned about strangulation. It is 11 CM X 11 CM. Maybe too large for strangulation? Any similar experiences out there?
John01315 I have undergone similar surgery to you, may I ask what the extent of your original surgical
wound and in what area do you have the hernia visible? Does it show and disappear? What is frequency of the hernia showing? How much pain?
Pedro T. It was a right Hemicolectomy last November. Very sudden, the only symptoms were discomfort and a bloated feeling, along with cramps etc and no appetite. I was on antibiotics for an infection but that didn't change anything. A CT scan showed the problem and I ended up in theatre 3 hours after the scan, as an emergency. Some perforation, so I was lucky. No spreading, lymph nodes ok and no bag. Bloods have been good so far. CEA tests. To answer your question, the scar goes from just under my sternum to below my navel. About a month ago, I noticed a small bulge between my navel and the top of the scar. The swelling is bigger now. No pain, just annoying really. It goes when I lie down which is a good sign I think. When I cough etc it is very obvious. I am thinking of wearing some sort of support. There was an infection lower down on the scar below my navel but that has cleared up now.
Hope you are recovering well!
Just an update. The incisional hernia is quite a bulge now but I have been given a corset which allows me to be almost normal as far as everyday activities go. But no heavy lifting etc. I don't wear it at night. The surgeon said it would need repairing but I have no idea when that will be. Soon I hope.
Hi !! Just had incisional hernia operation last week with mesh. Still very painful, can't twist or turn without feeling like the sutures are coming out. When will the pain end ?
John when you can feel the hernia bulge do you push it back into the abdomen or leave it trapped.
Had incisional hernia surgery 2 weeks ago. Still alot of pain, especially on one side. Feels like my insides are pulling and the sutures feel very tight. Hurts to get and outof bed , when will this feel better ?
Hi. I keep it supported with an elastic corset band which I bought from a magazine. It seems to help. At night it goes in if I am on my back, but I am very aware of it if I turn on my side. Maybe I should wear it all the time? Nobody at my Dr surgery has given any helpful advice.
Hi. I had mesh repair for hernia following bowel resection which became infected. I was in agony straight away and severely bruised inside. A few hours after nurse removed clips the wound burst open flooding the bathroom with bood. Rushed to A& E. The wound was squeezed and packed for the next 13 weeks then as it healed and stopped discharging I had an infection for 4 weeks. I'm still in a deal of pain and seeing surgoen 2/4/15 hoping he will have some answers. I hope no one else has to endure the experience I've had. Hope your pain has settled. Good luck Tony
Hi,
I had incisional hernia surgery almost 2 weeks ago. The pain has subsided a bit it is painful when I walk. They gave me a corset to wear but it just bothers me when I sleep. I did use an ice pack for the pain and took pain meds. I can only sleep on my back for rite now. The pain will eventually go away. I hope this helps you.
Yes, the pain should disappear. I'm now 16 months since surgery. No problems, but I still wear a corset during the day. I'm left with a pot belly, but I'm told that it is fat. Huh! I certainly didn't lose my appetite, so maybe they're right.
Yes, I also have a pot belly too. But my appetite is back to normal, not sure if that's a good thing or not. 
I blame the hernia and surgery for mine! The original surgery was for bowel cancer, but that was 28 months ago. My hernia surgeon and other experts say that it is fat, but I WAS told that there would be a bulge, so.... No belly button either, but I don't need one. Best wishes. 🌞
Hi I had my incisional hernia by keyhole surgery one week ago and I have terrible bruising all around my back and waist. The pain is isolated to the lowest incision but all the incisions seem to be lumpy and very painful.
will the pain recede? Where can I get some form of strapping to give a little support or do I need to discuss with my GP first?
Thanks any suggestions welcome. I have been using cold compress.