Small hernia

[Frinks]

I have Stage 3 low grade ovarian cancer and had debulking surgery 18 months ago. I got over the surgery very quickly and have been very lucky with no recurrence so far.

Yesterday I saw my Oncologist who said she had found a small hernia but I should carry on as normal but avoid heavy lifting.

I’m very active doing Pilates twice a week, busy in the garden and filling watering cans for our greenhouse. What should I now avoid?

I can't see any small bulge in my abdomen and at the time did not think of any questions to ask her.

I don’t even know where it is!

Please has anyone else experience of a small hernia and how it has developed or affected them?

I’m so grateful for the support this sight provides.

[Lyndy]

Hi Frinks, that’s annoying when you are so active. I would ask the oncologist for clarification. Does she know about Pilates etc? It would be good to know if anything is specifically banned.

They often assume we do nothing at all between appointments! xx

[Frinks in reply to Lyndy]

Thanks for your reply Lyndy.

I will contact the Specialist nurse with a list of questions.

[suzannebirch]

Hi. i had a small incisional hernia after that surgery that developed into a massive one as time went by - normal living and exercise etc. i had to have a abdominal reconstruction in the end - glad i did even though it was a massive op. incisional hernias get bigger very easily - not sure what type of hernia you have?

[chocolatemilk44 in reply to suzannebirch]

Interested in your story. I see surgeon this week for massive hernia. How long was recoup? Mine is called vental hernia. How long were you in hospital.

[Frinks in reply to suzannebirch]

Thanks for replying susannebirch . I have lots of questions to ask. The good thing is it’s a hernia and not cancer.

[Rhonddalady]

Hi Frinks, I would ring your oncologist 's secretary and ask for the radiologist to give you details of what type of hernia you have and where it is, also ask for a written report ifyou ask for a phone consultation it's a lot quicker. You will need then too be referred to a gastroenterologiist by your GP- the oncologist isn't the expert you need for this. For the other queries re hernia repair etc, many years ago I had an inguinal hernia on my right side, had keyhole surgery and sent home same day. About 6 to 8 weeks for repair mesh to settle so no heavy lifting or stretching . Fast forward to last summer while in remission scan showed inguinal hernia on my left side , no problems until just before Christmas it popped out causing extreme pain and a visit to A&E. Sent home because it receded back in. Referred to gastro clinic. I had A&E visit again 6 weeks ago this time much worse.. emergency surgery 4 days in hospital and a much slower recovery than previous hernia. Apparently planned surgery for hernia is much safer than emergency surgery and which is more intrusive. So I would advise you to not ignore it , if your repair is planned its much easier to recover and much safer for you. Apologies for the long text , Jan xx

[Frinks in reply to Rhonddalady]

Thank you Rhonddalady.

[meaty]

Hello I have 2 hernias .. from the surgery .. presently they are not doing anything about them . I can feel mine .. hope you get on OK. I an disabled anyway so can't do a lot . xx

[marmay88o]

so sorry to hear about your hernia. I experienced the same and I try not to carry anything heavy.

[Frinks in reply to marmay88o]

Thank you for getting back.It has been helpful seeing everyone's replies and looking back at people's experiences in the past.

I had no idea it was such a common problem. I might have taken more care about carrying compost bags down the garden if I'd known!!

It's interesting seeing the different ways of dealing with a hernia and the outcomes.

Leaving it be seems very common.

Well, cross my fingers and carry on. It's not a recurrence of cancer so I'm very lucky.

Best wishes everyone.

[StilCrazy]

Hi Frinks. I have a huge hernia, the whole length of my debulking surgery broke open. The best way to feel it is standing up. When you lie on your back your abdominal contents fall back towards your spine and the hernia is just a hole in the muscle layer and harder to feel. If you stand up and tense your abdominal wall and relax it rhythmically while feeling along the scar line on the skin surface but pushing deep into the muscle layer where there is a parallel scar line, you should feel a bump or irregularity that inflates and deflates as you tense and relax your tummy muscles.

A small hernia can be risky if a piece of abdominal content gets caught in it and strangulated. However, it is sore when it pinches so you have time to push it back in or get help!! Unfortunately hernias can expand over years, but my surgeon encouraged me to keep my tummy muscles strong even though it makes the paunch of abdominal contents jutting through the muscle even more prominent.

[Lizchips]

I ended up with 5 hernia's had them all repaired about a year after last chemo. That was 2015. Hopefully it helps 💜 Liz

[Krimi77]

Hi, I'm in the same situation, 18 months after dubulking surgery, We've discovered I have two hernias (after a CT). I do have sume bulging on my tummy but for a long time the nurses said it must be scar tissue. I'm not in any discomfort though, just unslightly . My oncologist said they won't do anyhting about it for now, unless I'm in pain. I'm 47. He advised to avoid heavy lifting, to wear protective garment, some kind of tummy wrap when I exercise, but nothing more. I'll avoid core exercises (when doing pilates). Maybe ask your Pilates instructor to give you modifications.