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Hernia repair

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Posted 6/30/2016 4:45 PM (GMT -7)
Hi all. Just got home from the hospital. Had a nasty blockage with hrs of throwing up bile. They did a CT scan and discovered the intestine has pushed its way past the mesh repair they did 6 moths ago. I'm so discouraged. I have an appt w the surgeon in July. Have no idea what the plan is but I don't want it repaired again if it's just going to keep coming back. Still having problems w my bladder from the first surgery. :(
Posted 6/30/2016 5:15 PM (GMT -7)
I'm so sorry. A hernia is my biggest fear with my ostomy. Mostly because it seems there is no good solution for repair and at some point it always comes back. As you unfortunately just found out! I hope the surgeon has some options for you. Was sewing the muscle back together an option before? It seems that may have a little better success rate however it seems like not as many surgeons do that, I'm note sure the reason why.
Posted 6/30/2016 6:05 PM (GMT -7)
They used mesh which is supposed to be better than just stitching it. The problem with a hernia repair is they can't sew it completely because the intestine has to go thru there to make the stoma so there will always be a weakness in that spot.
Posted 6/30/2016 6:06 PM (GMT -7)
I am sorry to hear it. I hope you're able to get it repaired once and for all.
Posted 6/30/2016 8:17 PM (GMT -7)
Oh my gosh! So sorry you are dealing with this! Do you know what caused the hernia in the first place? I sometimes lift our 22 month old grandson and he's a bruiser! Over 30 lbs. My daughter is always telling me "Don't do that mom!!!"
Posted 7/1/2016 8:33 AM (GMT -7)
Christine, I reason we are prone to hernias is because when they form a stoma they have to go thru your abdominal wall to bring it to the outside of your body. This means you now have a weakness in the muscle where they bring it through. It's similar to having a small tear in your abdominal wall and this will always be a weak spot prone to letting things that normally are held in place by your muscle work their way through. You can help protect it by being careful about repeated lifting and wearing something like supportive underwear to give more strength and support to the area. As long as a person has a stoma they will always be at risk for developing a hernia. I didn't know any of this after my original surgery. Wish Dr's would school people up on this before they let them go on their merry way. Makes me wonder why they don't. Are they trying to drum up future business? Lol. Just kidding.... unfortunately there are plenty of sick people in the world without the need for that.
Posted 7/1/2016 5:14 PM (GMT -7)
I was never told that either!!!! Maybe they just think it is common sense? Well, it wasn't for me..guess I have no common sense..lol. One thing for sure...I am done lifting the bruiser!!!
Posted 7/1/2016 6:18 PM (GMT -7)
I was told both times for my loop and then my end that hernias were possible and not to lift over 10 pounds. At my follow up when I asked my surgeon for more detail he said 20-30% of ostomates will get a hernia. I've heard others say it is closer to 50%. He said the 2 biggest risk factors are smoking and being overweight. After those factors it is part making smart decisions when lifting and just luck. He said some people are just more prone and there is nothing the patient or Dr could do to prevent them.
Posted 7/5/2016 4:51 PM (GMT -7)
So sorry. I had emergency surgery a bit over a year ago for a hernia that was causing an intense blockage. My stoma was moved to the other side -- is this an option for you? It was hard getting used to the new stoma, which is very different than the old one -- shorter and it took me a long time to figure out a good pouching system. However, I have not had one blockage w/this new one, and now I regularly get five days between changes.

I think I still have a hernia where my old stoma was, and I've been back and forth on whether to get it checked out again ... .really not in the mood for another surgery, I get that. My surgeon saw it a while ago and said to come back if it got bigger or I was worried, that there was no need to do a CT if there's no plan to treat. I guess it might be easier to fix as there's no stoma on that side anymore.

As for risk factors, I don't smoke and am not overweight (well, a few pounds heavier than I'd like to be). My surgeon says I didn't do anything wrong, it's just bad luck.... I am a whole lot more careful about lifting than I was before, though.... think I had a false sense of security for not having the risk factors.

In any case, moving your stoma might be an option, although clearly not a great one. Hang in.
Posted 7/6/2016 12:47 AM (GMT -7)
Hi Blueglass Hmm.....had not thought of moving it. I have a follow up appt with the surgeon will see what he is thinking. Seems one of the interns in the hospital said something about just keeping an eye on it unless it becomes more problematic. I know I'm eating really little meals as a precaution. I don't like eating all thru the day like that but I guess I will adapt lol.
Posted 7/6/2016 1:05 PM (GMT -7)
I think moving it is kind of a last resort option -- only so much belly real estate (not clear what would happen if I needed it moved again)... but it might be helpful to know if that could help, just in case.

Amazing what you can get used regarding habits.....

When I was having lots of obstructions I got a juicer and that was nice ...

Hopefully you've got an effect from surgery that will get better on its own....
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