Hernias

[Mammi]

Anyone had incisional hernia & how do they know it’s not another tumour.stomach really bulges out on one side of the scar & worries me but was there when I had my last ct so should I trust that it would have been spotted🤔ct showed Ned.

[Spirit22]

Hello I have a incisional hernia below belly button and bulges to one side . It was picked up when quite small when I had CT scan after finishing chemo last June , my scan showed Ned also . I don’t have any real problems with it , just uncomfortable at times and it has got considerably larger . I have been waiting for a appt with gastro surgeon for well over a year as wanted to see what my options were . I finally have a appt this Thursday , but they have just changed it too telephone appt because of COVID-19 🙄 not sure how that’s going to work then as he can’t physically examine me ! Suppose he might be able to look at my last scan which was 2 weeks ago 🤔 anyway we will see . Lesley x

[Mammi in reply to Spirit22]

Thankyou so much that’s very comforting! We sound in similar situation except I’m 66 so I think much older than you🤔Local nurse felt sure that it was a hernia but as doesn’t cause any problems she said the consultants would not want to open me up again as there are risks of awakening cancer cells & certainly my consultant didn’t seem interested at all. Let me know which way you decide to go.Dee x

[Spirit22 in reply to Mammi]

Dee we are the same age I will be 67 in March 😀 As you say think they are reluctant to open you up unless they can do it by keyhole surgery 🤔 but not sure that will be a option now ! Will see what he says on Thursday 😊 Lesley x

[Mammi in reply to Spirit22]

😄👍Keep in touch.DeeX

[27-359]

Yes I've got one. I have had it for a few years. I was told that it's best left well alone, if it's not causing problems. A repair could make future ops difficult, due to the mesh that is used.

Jenny

[ruthg55]

Hi, I also have incisional hernia - determined initially by oncologist feeling it (almost 2yrs ago), then recently ultrasound & CT scan as I've decided I want it repaired. It has grown a lot over that time and although not painful, it feels uncomfortable at times & I'm always pressing it! Mine is large bulge to left of scar just below belly button. I decided to get the opinion of two different surgeons (one general) and the other is a liver transplant surgeon who also specializes in hernia repair. They both agreed it should be repaired as it will only get bigger, hernias don't repair themselves unfortunately. Both recommend mesh as that has an 80% success rate compared with sutures which is only 10% successful. Mine has to be open surgery again which means reopening old scar - for a 3rd time - that runs from diaphragm to pubic bone. Not really looking forward to that but don't really have a lot of choice. I worry that the hernia could become strangulated if not fixed and that would mean emergency surgery. However, I've been told my hernia is quite large so the chances of that happening is less but still a possibility. Both surgeons also said it's not really a problem if future surgery is needed and the mesh has to be cut. Agree with others that the gyn.onc. team always just say if it's not really bothering you then just leave it as another surgery means the potential for another hernia. Seems a bit like a catch 22 situation. But I hope to travel (ah, remember that) again and I often go to out of the way places where medical facilities are not that great and I'd hate to have a strangulated hernia. So, I got a letter last week saying I'm on the surgery list which can happen any time in the next 3 months. I'm nearly 65yrs and live in Australia. Good luck with your chat and finding out your options. Ruth

[Ruebacelle]

Yes i had an incisional hernia plus 2 inguinals. They dont emphasjze how weak your muscle tissue is after surgery 30% develop incisionals also known as eventrations. A good surgeon will repair it tucking it in you have to wear a brace for 2 months and no heavy lifting. Hugs from france

[valeriel]

I have one too ! Mine appeared about 4 years after the operations and seems to have grown over the last two years, seemingly undoing all my hard work at Slimming World. Like most of us the advice seems to be to leave it alone and only do something if it is really needed. As I don’t wear my bikini any more, I think I can live with that. It is just a bit annoying having this bump, particularly when I sit down. I do worry sometimes if it is hiding anything but rely on an annual CA125 to raise any concerns. Stay safe everyone!

[Barlow1951]

I also had a large central incisional hernia which developed 7 months after surgery and was diagnosed by my oncologist at my next check up, so at least I knew that it wasn’t another tumour. It grew rapidly until I looked about 7 months pregnant by the time I had it repaired in March 2018. Following that repair, which seemed successful at the time, I had a lovely flat stomach for about 3 months, then I noticed it was looking bigger again. I saw my surgeon for an extra checkup and he assured me that everything was fine. Two years later I wear support pants to make the bulge less noticeable, but I have a sensation of being squashed most of the time, especially in bed at night and first thing in the morning.

Do hope you will get appropriate advice and support in dealing with your hernia.

All the best, Barbara

[Luci22 in reply to Barlow1951]

Hi Barbara,

I've shown up late to this post but have been searching here for hernia information. My mom has this issue with a large hernia and we aren't sure what to do. Hers continues to grow larger. After reading your post, are you saying that the hernia surgery wasn't worth it since it sounds like it returned ? How is it now?

Thanks for any tips.

Luci

[Barlow1951 in reply to Luci22]

Hi Luci, I do think the hernia surgery was worth doing and it seems that the continuing bulge is probably due to my abdominal muscles being weakened by 2 major surgeries in the same place. I have recently started to do strengthening exercises and I do believe that I am beginning to see some progress.

[ruthg55 in reply to Barlow1951]

Hi Barbara, bit late in seeing this. Can I ask if your repair was sutured, staples or mesh? Thank you!

[Barlow1951 in reply to ruthg55]

Hi Ruth, my hernia repair was with mesh and when I was concerned that the hernia had recurred, my surgeon assured me that the mesh was still in place.However, when I saw my oncologist in October, she suggested that my abdominal muscles were weak after 2 major surgeries, so I have recently started to do some exercises to help strengthen them and I do believe that the bulge has slightly reduced!

Just realised that’s a long answer to your question.

[ruthg55 in reply to Barlow1951]

many thanks, good to hear exercises helping

[Luci22]

Hi all, I just found this post..

My mom also has a large hernia. It developed soon after her surgery and continues to grow. She's tried the belt but they no longer do anything.

She has also gained about 13 lbs (so, about 1 stone?) in about one year. I don't know that is related - anyone know?

So, what might be the verdict on dealing with large hernias? Surgery or leave it? Also, one of the replies here mentions that another surgery can awaken the cancer (??) Is that true?

Sorry for my multi--question post. I feel a bit overwhelmed

Luci

(Canada)