hi all,

Hi Patti,

Yes.... Spinbiscuit *Glen.... will be able to share quite a bit with you on hernias.... He's had 2 along with his prostate surgery... I'll leave the rest for him to share. 

Glad you joined us.... knowing others have traveled before you will help to ease your mind in a lot of ways. Not that it's going to be easy.... just knowing takes some of the fear away.

Take care and keep us posted on your hubby's condition .... okay!!!
Lee & Buddy

---

mama bluebird - Lee & Buddy… 53 on surgery day

RRP April 3, 2006   PSA 4.6 Gleason  3+3=6  T2a   Confined to Prostate

June 29th PSA Less than 0.1 Non-detectable

Thanks Bluebird,

Hi PR,

Yes I had hernias (2) left and right inguenals one after the other following the DaVinci procedure on 2/23/06. Since my hernia surgeries I have heard of others as well, although I have not been able to talk to anyone else that has gone through this. As far as I know there was no evidence of a pre-existing condition. The hernias appeared rather quickly, and became so painful I could barely walk. I feel as though I was at least partly responsible because shortly after my DaVinci procedure (2 months or so) I was lifting and moving a heavy micro wave oven out to my car causing strain on the abdominal wall. The surgeon that performed my hernia operations mentioned that he could not do a lap procedure as I had expected. I'm wondering if there is a weakening of the abdominal wall due to the lap procedures. 4 years prior to the PCa surgery I had an apendectamy which was also a lap procedure.

Please let me know what the circumstances of you husband's hernia were, and a note here; I had just recovered from the 1st hernia operation, and was at the surgeon's office for a post-op exam. I mentioned half jokingly that there was now a bulge on my right lower abdomen, and to his surprise (as well as mine) I'd developed a right inguenal hernia within 10 days! The second surgery was a more difficult recovery in terms of discomfort and healing time.

Now that I have undergone 3 surgeries in less than 6 months; I have become a bit more cautious, and will not lift anything that weighs more than 15 pounds. Rumor is that repairing damage to a prior hernia surgery is no picnic, and I have no desire to independently varify that.

As far as I know there is no way to predict when a hernia might occur, or who may be at risk of a hernia do to lap procedures. Your husband is the only other person I will have a chance to question about this issue. Tell him good luck, and not to lift anything heavy or to strain himself for awhile. By the way if he needs coaching after surgery; getting out of the car or bed let me know I'm a pro at it now (unfortunately).

Glen

Post Edited (spinbiscuit) : 10/31/2006 9:28:43 PM (GMT-7)

Glen,
thanks for letting me know what you have been through. Hubby didn't have any trouble before with hernias. I feel he did too much too soon after the divinci . He was installing huge windows in his Dad' house just 3 week after his surgery. Very heavy Nothing showed then but it is my thinking it wasn't a good thing to be doing.
Then hmmm about a few months ago he was doing that exercise wheel. You know the one you on your knees and wheel out in front of you. That sure works the stomach big time. It was a week or so after doing that he said his belly hurt . Then a few weeks after belly hurting he felt the buldge. We had his 3 month appointment to his Urlogist and asked him about it. He said it could be a hernia but not sure and he said he felt Ron would have been fine to do exercises. He said it should shrink in a few weeks. Well thought lets ask another Dr. he said he felt it was like scar tissue and would go away in few months.
Well about week and half later this is much bigger I can't believe how big it has gotten. So went to his dr, and he said it is an insicional vertcical Hernia. That now he needs to see surgon.
That he will be doing next Thur. Thank God he says he has no pain with this that is a big plus. So that is where we are at right now. When it rains it pours at times. He just found out yesterday he needs to have his knee operated on now too torn something can't remember what it is called.
We are just starting to get back on top of the bills from his surgery for the prostate now this.
Oh well God knows best so have to hang on to that.
Again Glen thanks and will keep you posted. I'll tell him you are willing to give him coaching on getting up and out of bed. I think tho it still might be fresh in his mind from the cancer surgery. Not fun at all

Patti

Hi Patti & Ron,

Now that you know there is a weakening in the abdominal wall you might want to ask your general surgeon what specific activities and exercises to stay away from. You certainly don't want to go through what I did. It has been almost 3 months since my 2nd hernia surgery, and I still get some soreness when I'm not being careful. A friend had his hernia surgery 10 years ago, and said the soreness could go on for awhile.

I hope Ron's knee surgery is not too serious. I've had a bum knee for 30+ years, but I've been to scared to have them fool with it. Of course back then it was an open procedure, and not a scope like today which is much less invasive. I wish you good luck, and a speedy recovery.

Glen

Glen,
Hi, Ron's knee surgey will not be too bad. It is an in and out thing so that is good. Not sure how long e will be out of work with it.
What scares me about his hernia is his uncles have had a real bad time with hernias. They had to have so many surgerys it isn't funny. The belly was cover fully in mesh and that didn't work. This happened to 3 of his uncles. Praying that wasn't passed down to hubby. To me his seams to be getting bigger and bigger makes me worried how fast it grew.
He did great with his Divinci surgery hope this will be the same. In one week he quit the pads but he still not having any erections with meds or on his own. He doesn't seam to want to take the meds much to try and no desire. Talked to his Ur DR. on this and said his testosterone might be down. So they are going to check this the first of the year. Will have to see how that all turns out too.
Thanks
Patti

Hi Patti,

If there is going to be a wait before his hernia surgery you might consult the surgeon to see if he recommends Ron wear a truss in order to stop the hernia from getting any larger. I certainly hope Ron doesn't take after his uncles either.

Glen

He would like to wait till after holidays to have surgery but no idea what the Dr. will say. I will tell him about a truss. Never heard of it before but will tell him. LOL
Thanks I hope he doesn't too willnot be fun if he does that is for sure.
Patti