Hernias

[Astr]

I have two hernias and am not sure whether or not to have surgery. Specialist said they could stay same size for ever or obviously get much worse. I am extremely worried about recent publicity on migrating mesh. Have any other ladies experienced pain after hernia op. I am 79 and really don't need any more health problems.

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Hi

I had what is called fundoplication which sorted my hernia and my herd. I always have to have a drink at the side of me to get food down as my muscles in oesophagus don't work, I have nearly choked a few times. Please take care Lynne

[bamboo89]

You don't say what type of hernias they are (n terms of where they are or whether they are small or large) nor what the risk is of strangulation of part of your intestines (if that's what might happen). Its all about balancing risk against benefit, so knowing the percentage risk of an acute, life threatening situation where emergency surgery becomes critical due to the hernia/s, set against the chances of that happening is about the only way to make this decision.

For the last two years, I have had what's known as an incisional abdominal hernia caused by major surgery - mine is very large indeed, and the risk of strangulation of the intestines is relatively small because they can easily move in and out of the huge gap. That means that the risks from having 10 inches of 3 inch wide mesh inserted to do a repair, as well as the risks from such a major surgery, are not worth it in terms of problems from that amount of mesh, both because of my age (69) along with other co-morbidities, and the fact I have a terminal cancer.

What did your consultant say in regard to risk of strangulation? How painful/difficult is it with the hernias as they are in terms of your daily life? Are you otherwise very well without sigificant health problems unrelated to the hernias? If the risk of strangulation is high, and /or you are very often in pain or uncomfortable, and you don't have other major health problems, you might consider the risk of the surgery with mesh worthwhile. On the other hand, if you are not always in discomfort or pain, you do have other health problems, and the risk of strangulation is low, then the comparative risk of problems from both the mesh and the surgery might mean its better not to bother with the surgery.

Miriam

[Astr in reply to bamboo89]

Thank you for the reply. Dr didn't say the risk I faced of strangulation just that they weren't that bad. I do have severe chest problems and continuous migraines so quite a lot to put up with too. I just thought it better to get them sorted now rather than in say, 10 years time. Perhaps better to wait and see what condition they are in in another 6/12 months. Dr said the op wouldn't be done before then anyway.

[bamboo89 in reply to Astr]

Well in that case, agree now so you're on the wait list, then you can just say no when the time comes if you want. I was told there was a 5% risk of intractable pain from the mesh, but that seems to be dependent on whether the mesh grows into nerve endings. I'm guessing, the more mesh there is (an awful lot in my case) the greater the risk of intractable pain, but I know two people who've had small hernia repairs with mesh with no problems afterwards; one female with a femoral hernia and a male with an inguinal one. I must say I admire your optimism in terms of your considering what might happen in ten years time when you're already 79; I must be more of a glass half full person, it wouldn't occur to me that I'd necessarily make 89 years old, even without having a terminal illness already😊

[Astr in reply to bamboo89]

Thanks for your reply. I have said "yes" and am doing just what you suggested Wait and see until I hear from hospital and then decide. I come from a long lived family so didn't think it odd, at the time, to say I could maybe wait 10 years. You have now given me something to think about. Hope you stay well. I too get auras but with headpain too so not good. Keep well.