What are people's experience with incisional hernias? I went swimming Thursday (I swim 2-3 times/week) and have had that familiar hernia pain but around my stoma site. I have had both left and right inguinal hernia repair so I am familiar with the pain. Symptoms: pain around the area; slight bulge? It's hard to tell at the stoma site; a feeling like running cramps (similar to what the inguinal hernias used to feel like)

So - my questions are:
1. Does it sound like a hernia to you? I realize there is plenty of scar tissue, but I have never had this particular type of pain before (TD was last Oct)
2. Are there any increased risks with incisional hernias vs. other types?
3. How soon to do something about it? I know that hardness of the area and pain are signs to go to the ER - but if not those symptoms, do I just tolerate it until I can deal with it?
4. Is the procedure typically different than inguinal repair? Do they use mesh? I saw that some people said they had a hospital stay with an incisional repair. Is this typical or is it usually outpatient?

Thanks!

Hi

I had an incisonal hernia in 2001, 'Ballooned' out, Dr B/Mt Sinai used mesh, (be careful as to what mesh Surgeon uses, the mesh of choice has changed-turns out I had improper mesh, I had infections with mesh cutting me inside, coming loose and mesh was removed in 2005 by a superior NJ surgeon.

It only gets worse if you delay-I had no pain, just a ballooning of skin, tried a wide elastic belt, etc. Better to get it done quick and minimize surgery and hospital stay
Good luck
Eric

I delayed my incisional hernia repair for a year after it was first noticed. My surgeon indicated that there was no urgent need to repair it as long as there was no pain or associated symptoms. But, since you do have pain, it sounds like something to deal with sooner rather than later, but not an emergency.

The risks are pretty much the same as with the inguinal. Mesh use depends on the site and size.

Jan

Thanks for the advice.

I had a hernia near my stoma. Showed it to my surgeon who said it wasn't serious and to wait for repair only if it got worse.

I think the surgeon got the wrong idea about the hernia because he saw it only after I had been completely "rinsed out" by the ET nurse. It bulged more when my pouch was full, but, though I told him that, he didn't see it himself.

When, a couple of years later, I had to have my gall bladder removed, the surgeon took that opportunity to repair the hernia.

After that double surgery, my surgeon said it was good that it had been repaired because "it was a standard three finger hernia and could have caused" me to lose my pouch. He was surprised that it had been so big.

I have a k-pouch, so my pouch may be closer to the incision line/hernia. I just wanted to point out that the dr might be able to better determine what to do if he saw it when your pouch is full.

My Dr told me if you can deal with it no hurry. I just went to an end Illeo after the pouch didnt work and he decided to fix 2 of them i had (never knew it) ... and some adhesions. The only differece that came out of it was since my right side was a mess he moved the end Illeo to th left - no biggie Good luck