Hernia Surgery

[Saintgermain]

Have been putting off incisional hernia surgery a result from my hysterectomy but it’s gotten larger over the past few months a little scared but I feel now have to make the decision has anyone gone thru this appreciate your help

[Lilymay9]

Hello there I don’t think I have ever commented on here. Well I had ovarian clear cell 2 years ago . Stage 2b. Had debulking and 6 chemo. I’ve been Ned since then 🙏🤞however had developed incisional hernia. Yesterday I actually had surgery for it! Apparently I had a biggish hernia in midriff area and a smaller one by belly button. I have stayed in hospital 1 night and and am sore, to be expected. But I thought if I didn’t have done then maybe down the line more complicated? Also I love swimming and hernia was bothering me so that was another factor for me. I would say get all the information you can from doctors etc and then make a decision. If you want to ask anything else please contact me.Love Marg xxx

[rosebine in reply to Lilymay9]

My consultant has said that they wont do anything about my hernia unless it gives me problems. I am of the opinion a stitch in time saves 9 (literally) so Im goi ng to pursue the matter

[Lilymay9 in reply to rosebine]

Hi there yes I saw the surgeon last September and then contacted his secretary in January & was put on priority list and given this week. So I would advise to try this.Love Marg x

[Saintgermain in reply to rosebine]

I agree with you earlier is better than later I’ve been told if you wait they tend to get larger grow and scar tissue forms which makes it more complex

[Saintgermain in reply to Lilymay9]

Hi MargeSo happy to hear you’ve been NED for 2 years power of Prayer! I planned my hernia surgery in a couple weeks got a second opinion. How are you feeling? Did they give you good pain killers in the hospital? Were you able to have robotic surgery? I agree sooner than later like yourself it’s starting to bother me also want to get back into exercise and not worry about it interfering Thanks a bunch

[Ge0rg1na]

My tumours were from the lymph nodes so different from your situation but I am someone who accepts what the medics suggest perhaps too readily, I'm afraid.Good luck making your decision and there after.

[Saintgermain in reply to Ge0rg1na]

It is very frightening you can get different Surgeons opinions which makes it even harder I’ve made the decision if you have a good Doctor I would trust them was hoping I could wait awhile but it started growing

[ruthg55]

Hi there, yes I had my incisional hernia repaired (open surgery with mesh insert) one year ago. Only one night in hospital and I chose to have spinal anaesthetic which meant I was semi awake. Mine had grown quite large over a period of 3yrs. I got the opinions of two surgeons and both told me it would only get bigger, so that helped me make my decision. I was scared too, but turned out it was okay. All the best!

[rosebine in reply to ruthg55]

There has been a lot of negative info on mesh used for vaginal repair, so I wonder if this is why medics dont want to use it with the other associated risks.

Are you expected to live your life with a hernia not lifting anything etc, as when you are recovering from debulking. In my case It would be extremely difficult as I live alone and have no one to call on to do the lifting often involved in everyday life.

[ruthg55 in reply to rosebine]

I spoke to both surgeons about problems associated with mesh as this was a concern for me. I believe this was primarily with groin/pelvic hernias (for men & women) and could have been the mesh used. There are several different types of mesh and also how it is inserted (sublay, inlay, overlay) and not all surgeons use the same technique. I would ask surgeon what type of mesh it is, how it will inserted/attached and what the pros/cons are of their technique.

[Saintgermain in reply to ruthg55]

Hi RuthThank you so much. Like yourself I got 2 opinions same thing they would just keep on getting larger your a trooper semi-awake 1 night stay I feel much better now.

[ruthg55 in reply to Saintgermain]

Not sure about being a trooper, I just react very badly to general anaesthetic with severe vomiting (I normally dry retch so much, I was worried I'd undo the mesh) so anaesthetist suggested alternative - only numb legs for a couple of hours after and only had slight nausea. I'm sure all will go well with you. All the best! Ruth

[Itha]

Hi, I am in the same position as you. My hernia appeared not too long after surgery. Knowing what I know now, I would have been a lot more careful and made use of a belt to protect the incision. My hernia is very large (13-14 cm vertically and the opening is widening horizontally quite significantly the last 4 weeks). Debulking was in Feb 2021. As I was on Avastin till Dec 2021, and had 2 accidents with my bike (broken ankle and then broken clavicula) I could not have it repaired yet. But, I have set an appointment with a recommended specialist surgeon (in South Africa, Cape Town, doctorsurgeon.co.za) for 22 March, and I am hoping he can assist me.

The hernia is getting more uncomfortable now and it impacts my ability to do exercise like weight training and cycling. After all the treatment I am keen to get my strength back...

I will keep you posted on what my surgeon has to say and perhaps we can compare notes.

I have so many things planned for this year, 10 day bike trip to Namibia (off road), going to UK and France to cycle and ride my bike...I need to be right for these things

(Diagnosed Oct 2019, stage 4B, Peritoneal, BRCA1+. 3 x chemo, debulking (including lymph node removal in groin), 3 x chemo, 16 x Avastin, ongoing Lynparza (since July 2020).

So far I am doing really well and my CA 125 is hovering between 4.5-4.8 the last 3-4 months. Rest of blood work also looking good.

[Saintgermain in reply to Itha]

Like yourself it seemed to pop up and grew quite a lot in the last month. I agree should of used the belt a lot more but they never told me that. You had quite the 2021 then your bike accident hoping 2022 is your year! Glad you made the appointment I say get it done and get back to the things you love my surgery is in 2 weeks I got 2 opinions opted for the second surgeon he’s going to start out robotically and switch to open if he has to I really want to try Pilates not a good idea with the hernia. What amazing trips you have planned i so long to see Europe one day I’m in Chicago please let me know how your appointment goes you are an inspirational warrior! Great news with the steady CA125!(Debulked, 3/21, 3C low grade Endometriod, Carbo/Taxol 6 treatments completed 10/21, CA125 4200 diagnoses, last 3 draws 8,6,7)

[rosebine]

I can see the arguments about non intervention using mesh, as it would be difficult if another op was needed subsequently,also possibility of infection etc. Personally I would take the risk as the bigger it gets the more upsetting it would be for me having my insides sort of outside as it were!

[Saintgermain in reply to rosebine]

I waited to get the surgical opinions and schedule until all bloodwork was back to normal range which it is I was having no symptoms until they started growing I agree the CT showed small parts were looped around the bowel and constipation onward and upward I’m with you they tend to get more complicated as they get larger just knock me out and give me good drugs ha!