Incisional Hernia Repair - Should I or Shouldn't I

Digestive health
1

Hi Folks,

End of November 2015 I had an emeregncy operation to deal with a twisted bowel (small intestine). Feel absolutely great now; no indigestion, no vomitting, no pain.

However I have developed two incisional hernias - probably did too much to soon. One is to the left of the operational wound and is about 1.5 - 2.0 inches long (just feeling it with my finger) and my abdominal contents poke through most of the time except when lying down. It's a smal bulge, it would fit in my cupped hand (some of it will be my spare tyre!) and it is easily pushed back in. The other one is to the right of the wound and much smaller. I don't think it forms a bulge but after eating it is often, not always, sore. It goes after a while.

I have consulted my GP and he says that hernias of this type are not normally repaired and if they are then they are likely to reoccur. He has told me that I should not lift anything heavy (what does heavy mean?).

I have been referred to the surgeon that did the original operation for his advice, so I'll have to wait and see what he says.

 I like gardening, I am a church bellringer, I'm active, I like doing DIY stuff. I can't/don't want to go through the rest of my life not lifting anything that seems vaguely heavy.

I have 2 inch wide "Pirate's belt" that I have never worn before but now I strap this on if I think I will be putting any strain on the area and it seems to help. I am thinking of getting a wieght lifter's belt which may do the job better - this pirate's belt has rather a large buckle!

So, my questions to anyone who would like to chip in are;

Should I push for a repair to the hernias?

Does the NHS just not do hernia repairs unless it's life threatening or are they just saving money?

Reading the experiences of some of you guys, will I get more problems if I do have the hernias repaired?

Should I go privately? How much would that cost?

Any comments will be gratefully received.

Regards,

Phil.

2

Hello Phil I am sure that you will get different responses from different people on here, but I got an incisional hernia after bowel surgery following a bowel perforation, so I had a bowel resectioning.  Just to fill you in on my history my hernia repair op, was my 5th abdominal operation, so my abdomen has taken a pounding over the years, I received congilicting advice about whether or not to get mine repaired, however nearly 2 years ago I had abdominoplasty to repair my abdomen and a hernia mesh repair on the NHS I would say play the waiting game at this stage, if it is not causing you any problems, I still cannot lift heavy things, reach into high cupboards, bending backwards is impossible (I am a ballet teacher), and the mesh restrict ny movement so that I cannot cycle or run and at times it is painful, but as I said this may be due to all of my previous surgery.

If you do have it repaired try to find a surgeon who does not use mesh, the NHS is currently undertaking a study into mesh repairs for POP and SUI mainly in women, as many women have been damaged by mesh, this kind of repair has been withdrawn in Scotland and New Zealand.  On the other hand mesh repairs do work for about 78% of those who have them.  A lot to think about I found a brilliant surgeon but did not think to look at the impact of mesh on the human body.  Hope this helps a tad 

3

Hello phil17356.  I read your story and with my experience, I recomend surgery.  Everytime I had a meal,  my hernia would do the same as yours.  It not only looked bad, it caused much pain, caused acid reflux and just plain bad.  My surgery was the best thing I have ever done as far as my health is concerned.  It outpatient, completed in about 3 hours, including recovery and I felt like a new person.  I had this condition for about 7 years and was misdiagnosed.  It's up to you.  If it does not bother you, leave it alone, but remember, it will only get worst, not better.   Just remember, this is a desease, meaning the body is not at ease, meaning something is not right, meaning something is wrong.     Perhaps surgery might be a good thing now rather than later.                     Bonita1429

4

Hi Shirley,

Thanks for your post. It has helped more than a tad!

You do seem to have gone through a trying period. I know that it can take some time before the body repairs itself or completes the attempted repairs done by man. Hopefully you will become pain free in time. I am told that is the origin of the term "patient" in that we need to be patient while the body heals and that the best solutions are when the body is encouraged to heal itself.

With regard to my own situation; I am waiting for the appointment to see the surgeon who performed my bowel re-section to see what he suggests.

However I am in the process of finding and buying a house with my partner and moving in together and have already packed and stacked many heavy boxes (ok, yes, I probably should have been more careful about doing that and might well have done too much too soon!) which means that I'm probably going to need to either ask friends to help us or hire a man/woman to help. So, no, I don't want to go through the rest of my life not being as active as I'd like or being dependant on others to carry the shopping etc. I realise that at this time I have no choice, I'll have to get help, there is not enough time to get a hernia repair and to recover from that fully before moving. Hey, ho, such is life.

5

Hi Bonita,

Thank you for your post. It's good to hear that your experience is a positive one, long may it continue.

From my perspective I tend to meet things head on, so I will probably go for a hernia repair on the NHS unless the surgeon gives me a compelling reason not to and even then I will seek other opinions. As I said above, I can't go through life not lifting heavy objects when there is a need - I know, I will need to be cautious as there's a weakness and I need to allow more than adequate time for healing. If I can't get it done on the NHS then I'll go privately. This is not going to beat me!

 

6

Hi Bonita,

Thank you for your post. It's good to hear that your experience is a positive one, long may it continue.

From my perspective I tend to meet things head on, so I will probably go for a hernia repair on the NHS unless the surgeon gives me a compelling reason not to and even then I will seek other opinions. As I said above, I can't go through life not lifting heavy objects when there is a need - I know, I will need to be cautious as there's a weakness and I need to allow more than adequate time for healing. If I can't get it done on the NHS then I'll go privately. This is not going to beat me!

 

7

Hi Phil Thank you for your kind remarks, just to say that current medical thinking is that if you still have pain from your hernia surgery 9 weeks after the surgery, there is a 9 out of ten chance that you will continue to have pain.  There are surgeons who specialise in mesh removal both in this country and the US, both for pain and other reasons of course.  I would not say to you not to have the surgery as it clearly works well for some people.  However, I would suggest you research your options really well there are surgeons who repair hernias with and without mesh, get the best advice you can before you go ahead, I rushed into it and didnt research everything fully.

Dont blame yourself for your hernia, incisional hernias are relativley common after laprotomy. the figures are out there, just cant remember what they are.  Surgeons have not yet perfected wound closure, but I am sure that they are working on it.  

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Hello phil,  I like your positive attitude.  That is first step toward healing.  Don't let this thing beat you.  Best to you and God bless you.

 

9

hi phil just seen this on a site which supports those suffering with problems following hernia mesh repair surgery.  Three methods of hernia repairs not requiring mesh; Burch, shouldice and desarde technique.  I know that their is a husband and wife team of surgeons in kent who offer the Shouldice method of hernia repair.  Mesh does not suit everyone but for some it is perfect.  Hard to know which category you will be in pre op.  I have problems with mesh, which have been live altering ie pain, and abdominal constriction, not life threatening but there are others with far worse problems.  I hope this information will help you to make a well informed choice about your next step.  .  .

10

I had a mesh repair 2 months ago done privately using open incision by a General Surgeon. I still have some burning pain and occasionally a low soreness. It has hardly improved over the last 6 weeks and I think it never will. I had no pain before the repair and the bulge was small. I think I would have been better to wait and do more research. I suspect I could have avoided mesh and perhaps my surgeon wasn't a real expert. My surgeon signed me off after 1 week so will never know about the pain problem unless I contact him. I suspect the mesh problems are understated and there isn't really any way back after the surgery. Do ask in-depth questions of any surgeon and if they appear gung-ho a bit like mine did then don't go ahead.

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Hello Dai 8 weeks is quite early I hope you make a full recovery given more time, I think you are right though more looking into it is a very wise move.

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Hi Phil,
I hope you’re well. I was hoping to check in on how you have got on? I am in a similar situation and looking to hear experiences of incisional hernia repairs.

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Me too! (This in reply to d45779) I hope you, Phil, will tell us how you got on.
Also, Phil, may I ask a question? You said originally: “my abdominal contents poke through most of the time except when lying down. It’s a small bulge, it would fit in my cupped hand […] and it is easily pushed back in”. Mine is a small bulge too, and only shows when I’m upright. However, though I’m told the hernia is reducible, when I’m lying on my back, I would have expected my finger to feel the gap of the unhealed incision, but in fact it feels like a bump, smaller than it is when I’m upright. Can you remember if yours was the same? I’m puzzled that it’s a little bump, and not the gap of the incision. I hope you can help. And I hope you were successful in finding a good surgeon for your repair.