Hi everyone, I had Ovarian cancer surgery Aug 2019 which included the bowel being scraped, the tumour had attached itself to the bowel, followed by 6 rounds of chemo. Easter 2019 had a bowel blockage, it cleared with fasting and intravenous fluids. Another blockage caused by adhesions wrapping round the bowel Dec 2019 , emergency ileostomy op and stoma fitted. (Electrolyte imbalance all the time I had a stoma, so infusions 3 times a week). Reversed Aug 2021, but a number of infections afterwards, leaving the operation site very vulnerable which then developed into an incisional hernia. I am now due to have the hernia repaired, my 4th operation in the same abdominal site and am quite concerned about pain and recovery, due to previous op, the stoma reversal, having been a great challenge with pain and recovery. (And my surgeon saying yes it will be challenging). Am not able to have keyhole surgery as they have to work around the adhesions). Has anyone else had a similar experience please? Would love to hear how you coped physically and mentally? I have a huge fear of the upcoming operation and the consequent pain levels. Thanks everyone.
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Thank you for your post. I'm sure our members will be along to reply to you with all their kindness and experience as always. I just wanted to encourage you to discuss your worries with your team and ask them about the pain control that will be available for you after surgery. I hope they will be able to reassure you, and it's fine to discuss with them again for further reassurance if needed.
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Thankyou Anna, l don't think l will see the surgical team before the op on 10 Nov, but believe l will have a pre op assessment so will raise the pain issue then. Thankyou
You’ve had quite the journey I had an incisional hernia but was able to have keyhole surgery I got a second opinion the first surgeon was going to do it open from what I remember it was a 4-5 day hospital stay some Gyno/Onc’s are present during the hernia repair for a second look maybe other Sisters on this sight have experience with this. The one thing I found invaluable was a good abdominal binder that I got from Amazon I slept with it for awhile the one the hospital gave me was pretty cheap fell apart after a couple washes.
so sorry you are having such a hard time. I am not sure what type of surgeon does hernia repairs but I had a wonderful gastro surgeon who did a keyhole operation to remove half my stomach last October, working with my wonderful gyno surgeon in a 10 hour op last October. Gastro surgeon Dr Nimo Abbassi at Royal Surrrey county Hospital, Guildford. All done on NHS.
You really do need second opinion. My UCLH surgeon could not do the op by keyhole so I switched to Royal Surrey just for op. Love and strength to you. Emma x
Oh Emma, you've been through such a hard time. Wish l'd asked for advice earlier, too late for second opinions as op planned for 10 Nov, Would've preferred keyhole & you found a great surgeon too. Thankyou for the advice, much aporeciated. Hope you doing well now? Warm best wishes & thankyou.
Hi, sending you very best wishes for your surgery. For balance, keyhole surgery isn't necessarily the best option and given your previous surgeries it wouldn't be straightforward or without risk. Confidence in your surgeon (whether they plan on open or laparoscopic surgery) is really important.
Speak to your anaesthetist about the problems you've had with pain control. If you haven't had PCA (patient controlled analgesia) speak to them about this. Most UK hospitals have a pain control team or nurse; if you are in pain after the op then ask to speak to them. Make sure you have pain medication regularly; dont wait until any pain gets bad.
Paracetamol is underrated. Keep taking it when you get home and take top up medication as needed. Again, don't wait until pain gets bad before you take it. Try to keep moving; pain is often worse if you try to sit as still as possible. I agree with Saintgermain that a binder is a good idea and helps with discomfort.
Apologies if you already know all of this! You've done so well to get through everything that's been thrown at you so far. You'll get through this too!
Thankyou banasmoothie, all your advice so useful. Yes l will raise the pain issue at my pre op assessment. Unfortunately 2 of the team who come round post op l found quite challenging, think they didn't believe me when l said pain was v hard, it's the same team this time. Was told 'best when you go home, forget about the pain & get on with your tasks'. l couldn't even stand at that point. The pain team were all about getting the patient off morphine, no more. This is St Thomas's in London. Thankyou, am v grateful for the advice & support, helps greatly. My warm best wishes. x
Hi, hope this helps ease some of your worry (I was petrified, needlessly as it turns out). I also had hernia repair last Feb 2021 via open surgery as I had had 2 previous large abdominal surgeries (cut from breastbone to public bone twice in 3yrs). Surgeon said it was best to do open as there would be adhesions from previous surgeries so he wouldn't risk doing keyhole. I'm terrified of pain, but I opted for lumbar anaesthetic (coz general anaes. makes me really throw-up so lumbar was suggested). I was semi-awake for the initial cutting open. It all went really well and the hernia repair surgery was a walk in the park compared to previous ones. I was allowed to go home next day and only took paracetamol. You have been through a lot, but I'm sure you'll find this a lot easier. Wishing you all the best. xx
Thankyou so much ruthg55, your post is really encouraging. Pleased to hear your surgery went so well, especially following 2 other big surgeries. You've given me hope that the hernia surgery won't be as bad as l fear. Thankyou, & do hope you are well now. My best wishes.
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