Noti long after debunking had an incisional hernia also known as an eventration. The surgeon repaired it with mesh. The first time I sneezed hard it popped out so then he tucked it in and took tiny stitches and that was 4 years ago and still it lies flat and never a problem.
However I blame the initial surgical team for not cautioning me about hernias. 30% of hysterectomy patients regardless of cancer get hernias as the muscle tissue has been compromised. I learned that abdominal braces should be worn for 6 months and control panties ever after learned the hard way.
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I wasnt told about the likelihood of a hernia, but had read it on here ! Never advised to wear a brace/support either. My hernia has appeared 10 months after surgery ! This forum is brilliant for i nformation as there doesnt seem to be a lot of joined up thinking round the various Hospital Trusts.
Crazy they should give you the brace in the hospital mine showed up at 6 months they found it on my CT Scan after my last chemo I didn’t know that I even had them small but in 4 months time can feel them about the size of a tennis ball but is starting to cause constipation. I wore the brace but on and off just because it felt better who would of known surgery in 3 weeks I guess if they keep on increasing in size makes it a little harder my suggestion is to get a couple different surgical opinions if the first one doesn’t seem right I went with the second one he opted to try robotic surgery initially the first one wanted to re open the 7” hysterectomy incision I opted for less invasive if possible first ugh!
Thank you so much I’ve read that based on research and the number of hernia’s from abdominal surgeries their actually trying to educate Gyno Onc’s & Gyno’s to incorporate some damage control and educate Patients about the possibility of hernia’s I’m so glad your doing well after 4 years I have my repair surgery in a few weeks. Very good point about the abdominal braces I never got one from the hospital they never even mentioned it I bought one on Amazon because it felt so much better around the house.
I agree that patients should be told about the likelihood of hernias - mine came as a complete (and unwelcome!!) surprise. Also, the bigger, the better, as the hernia is less likely to strangulate.I’ve decided against surgery (after several expensive-to-the- NHS referrals), but find a pair of £5 control pants from Primark hold things in and make me feel more comfortable.
They typically show up 3-6 months after abdominal surgery at present it feels like a tennis ball next to the incision by the belly button at 6 months it showed up on CT scan didn’t know it was even there but has grown in the last month no pain per say but scan showed it looped around bowel and constipation which is getting worse
Thank you for that information, I too have a hernia and until now thought I was on my own !!!!!I had no idea it was so common after surgery. At the time I actually thought my cancer was coming back due to the area increasing in size. Wow, lack of information and ignorance on my part. 🤦♀️🤦♀️ Xx
I’m glad I started this post I figured there were gals out there that are dealing with this no lack of ignorance on your part I didn’t have a clue I wouldn’t of ever known if isn’t for the post chemo scan I think it’s ignorance in some cases the surgeon should bring up the possibility and you should get an abdominal binder before you leave the hospital which from other posts helps I totally get why one would think it’s a cancer reoccurrence I would be thinking that about now if I didn’t know that it did grow quite a bit in a month I was worried about undergoing another surgery but a lot of other survivors have been thru it this site and support is awesome
Totally agree. I also joined the unwelcome incisional hernia club not long after my surgery without any knowledge or info that it is so common. The hernia was small and I was told we will treat when it gets larger. Big mistake. Had mesh keyhole surgery which was several times more painful and much worse than going through the hysterectomy and chemo. I then developed seroma (fluid filled pockets) which had to be drained and post surgery I still looked like I had a huge hernia. It took over a year for the pain and discomfort to go but the hernia is still noticeable 6 years on. I also thought I was alone and no one mentioned abdominal bands, supports or likelihood of hernias post surgery. I still have to wear abdominal supports now to support core muscles. Having hernia surgery was the worst thing ever. There should be much better education and support (literally) for hysterectomy patients. Thanks for this post
I love it the unwelcome incisional hernia club who would of thought ugh! I am so sorry you had to go through such a painful journey. You re-affirmed my decision to push ahead with the surgery while it’s smaller I didn’t feel it a month ago not noticeable now it’s the size of a tennis ball the surgeon said it gets more complicated as it gets larger Like yourself my radical hysterectomy was not bad at all I’m praying for good drugs
I had a strangulated which I diagnosed went to ER and they fixed it. The incisional and other hernia were normal but protruded so I had them fixed. Now all tucked in and safe from idle coughs or sneezes altho I hold my belly...
Hi. I had robotic surgery in the US so didn’t have to deal with this but I had had three major abdominal surgeries in the past. What I find interesting is that a recent study concluded there is no difference in outcomes from open incision vs robotic (5-6 small incisions and one in the vagina) but robotic is more expensive so they should stick with open incisions. It did not factor in the patient’s experience of recovery time, hernias etc. I think patients should be aware of this.
Hi I’m in the US very interesting regarding robotic vs open so sad it comes down to the almighty insurance dollar. How did your robotic surgery go? I scheduled my hernia surgery in a few weeks thank God I have good insurance I got 2 opinions the first Surgeon wanted open second robotic choose the second onward and upward!
It went really well. I stayed one night in hospital and was very sore for maybe a week then began to get better every day. The surgeon did say that they can’t do robotic under all circumstances. My tumor was about 10 cm plus lots of small implants.
I think we should be warned too. I had hernia repair surgery in June nearly 3 years after the original surgery with mesh and still have groin pain when I walk. The whole scar was reopened and is now numb. Wearing tightish jeans does help but weight gain hasn’t helped.
Oh my gosh what you’ve been thru never thought areas of my tummy would change so much after the debulking hysterectomy I’m bloated in places I never was before but a binder or pants with tummy support feels good all this is scary ugh!
Hi ladies,I developed a hernia 18 months post op, secondary to having a bad cough. I learned that as many develop hernias in the second year post op as in the first year! The incision is never as strong as the original tissue. So don’t let your guard down. Still haven’t had it fixed. My onc says leave it if I can. I’m 4 1/2 yr since diagnosis of o.c. now. Best wishes to you all.
Thank you for that. I’m in the States, have met with 2 surgeons. Both want to place large mesh, they say the failure rate is too high without it. But one would do overlay technique, so mesh not in with abdominal organs.
Like yourself in the States 2 surgeons both mesh overlay one suggested open one robotic I am insisting on an updated CT scan since it has grown since the October scan 2 weeks away from surgery onward and upward ugh!
Oh my goodness, thank you ladies, so glad I popped on here tonight. I developed a lump the size of a tennis ball just before Christmas, 6 months after my debulking operation. I didn't have a clue what it could be, I had not been told about hernia's or been told to wear a brace after the op. I had to go to hospital for an infection and the emergency Dr just said 'Oh yes a hernia', when he felt it no explanation. I then saw my Oncologist after Christmas, she examined me and said yes its just a hernia. I have only had telephone appointments with her since and one due next week. There has been no mention of repair to it, she is putting me forward for more chemo as my CA125 has increased from 90 to 245, could this be the reason? I have been so scared the cancer had developed even more and the lump or as I now know it to be, hernia, is the size of a small baby! It hurts now and again and I find it difficult to put socks and shoes on. Generally uncomfortable and I have resorted to maternity trousers it is sooo awful and embarrassing. I don't like going out.
I thought I was the only one. there are loads of questions I have to ask Dr next week. Unfortunately my oncology nurse after introducing herself to me when I was first diagnosed, then being extremely rude, by saying I am too gung ho about my condition and she was waiting for me to have a meltdown about my condition, seems to have disappeared into the ether!
But thank you all, I now know I am not the only one and it seems quite common. I will try to find a brace to support my tummy and I can prepare for my next consultant appointment.
Hi Lotsofhobbies,Quite the journey ugh! Mine showed up on a CT scan I didn’t know I even had one I thought I could skate for a while but like yourself has grown to tennis ball size within a month they can tend to grow quickly and I am having mild burning pain I’m not looking forward to surgery but it will just keep on growing. I know certain things like inflammation can throw the CA125 off. There is nothing wrong with being too Gung Ho that attitude carried me thru chemo but unlike a lot of fortunate ladies on here i didn’t experience the same kind of warm fuzzy Onc nurses I went to a very good university center they were okay more robotic not very personal so sorry you had to experience that the braces work but I was never informed either. Hugs from Chicago
Wow thanks for information, l have a hernia on the right hand side on my stomach, they told me unless l was in pain they wouldn't touch it. But lm very conscious of it , it not a good look belly sticking out is it. But its been like this for well over 12 months. Wish l could get it sorted you sound like you've had a good surgeon. Thanks its really made me 🤔 think lm sure it could be put right. Love SheilaFxxx
Hi Shelia,I’ll let you know how the surgery goes ugh! Mine got larger and i feel a very slight burning pain was hoping it would remain small and not rear it’s head but like yourself it is I am having an updated CT scan done so we’re on the same page.
Good luck, hoping if my scan see this hernia they said l had a lot of scar tissue to get through so they'd be very reluctant unless it was an emergency . Keep me informed. Xxx
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