I have one but my docs don’t want to touch it …. They’re worried that it’ll cause more scar tissue.

Apparently I popped a stitch from an old hernia and I have a slight tear again. This occurred early after my takedown as I was straining and pushing like crazy for the first 3 months.

current general surgeon is telling me to not to do anything about it this point.

although he said he won’t go near the pouch, he does not want to create any more scar tissue in the pelvic area.

so for  now, I am careful with  what I lift as to not aggravate it any further.

Where do yo think the hernia came from? The gym or weightlifting??? I have heard of people getting hernias from that unfortunately.

I also have a hernia - but my surgeon is recommending that I have it repaired - it is quite large and sticks out of my stomach so that it looks like I am slightly pregnant.  My surgery is schedule for 3/23.  Has anyone had hernia surgery and came thought it with no problems??

Hazel

@Former Member posted:

Where do yo think the hernia came from? The gym or weightlifting??? I have heard of people getting hernias from that unfortunately.

Neither. I can lift weights all day and it doesn't affect it. It's only when I cough that the hernia sticks out.

I got a hernia in my stomach 4 yrs after takedown.  It really started to grow in the 2nd yr.  It took over my stomach and was big.  My surgeon agreed it was from the initial surgery and needed to be repaired.  It was a big deal.  I had to have reconstruction of the abdominal wall and mesh to correct.  He said my organs would have been affected if I didn't have it done.  The outcome still is good except that after the 6-8 hr surgery they sent me home in 2days.  I ended back in er with a obstruction.  The whole experience was painful just as much but not quite as bad as the 3 surgeries to have J Pouch.  In the end I am glad I did it all and endured it all.  I would not want to go through anymore surgery.  I am doing well and so thankful for now.  One day at a time.   

I had a hernia and my surgeon repaired it the same day I received my wonderful, easy peasy jpouch……have not had another.  I am happy with my life but agree.. no more surgeries for me…

@Jaydog posted:

Neither. I can lift weights all day and it doesn't affect it. It's only when I cough that the hernia sticks out.

Okay I strongly believe the hernia originated from weightlifting because that is what I heard from other people that weightlifted, they got hernias and bowel twists.

I know you love the gym but in the future, it might be safer to wear a hernia belt when working out.

@Former Member posted:

Okay I strongly believe the hernia originated from weightlifting because that is what I heard from other people that weightlifted, they got hernias and bowel twists.

I know you love the gym but in the future, it might be safer to wear a hernia belt when working out.

It didn't though. It happened about a year ago. I was pushing too hard in the bathroom and that's when it happened. I remember the exact moment believe it or not.

I'm actually still lifting weights every day with no issues. I went for a 3 mile run yesterday with no issues. It's just coughing, pushing in the bathroom, or yelling that gets me.

I think we have two different types of hernias going on here.

Some people who have open abdominal surgery are prone to them. I know of several folks with colostomy’s and ileostomy’s who developed hernias at their takedown sites.

the other hernia which I had and have again is the inguinal hernia. Because it occurs in the lower groin area, some surgeons, including mine, are leery of additional surgeries in the pelvis due to the prior jpouch surgery.

@Jaydog posted:

It didn't though. It happened about a year ago. I was pushing too hard in the bathroom and that's when it happened. I remember the exact moment believe it or not.

I'm actually still lifting weights every day with no issues. I went for a 3 mile run yesterday with no issues. It's just coughing, pushing in the bathroom, or yelling that gets me.

Oh damn!!! that sounds painful!!! I cannot imagine how traumatic that must have been for you to remember the exact moment, I am sorry that happened to you. I hope it gets fixed soon.

I am glad you are happy in the gym. I just dance for exercise to be extra cautious.

That’s the same hernia I have - inguinal hernia and it’s from pushing too hard.  I had surgery in 2021 for scar tissue obstruction (1st time since 1995 J-pouch) surgeon said that was “unusual” to go for so long without any sort of surgery for scar tissue.  I developed the hernia in the last 6 months - I am having it fixed because of the size of it (as I said, I look pregnant!). I’m wondering now, if would wearing a hernia belt would help...I’m still straining and pushing!

I appreciate the comments - thanks for your time!

Hazel

i had an incisional hernia at my ilieostomy site a few months after take down from my pouch redo.. I had to wait several months but hernia doc did whats called an onlay repair with mesh as the defect is closed just below the skin and mesh is layed over top. that was 6 years ago and so far so good. But had my gallbladder removed 2 years ago and now have another small hernia that popped up at that incisional site. I will only get it repaired if it starts to get larger which i hope it does not.

Hazel,

If you are still straining and pushing , this will be an issue post surgery, since you will be told not to do that and it will be dangerous and very painful if u do.

I remember when I had a colon, I had to take stool softeners for a month to avoid that.

so I think you will need to get the pouch emptying issue solved, since you could have issues otherwise.

@New577 posted:

Hazel,

If you are still straining and pushing , this will be an issue post surgery, since you will be told not to do that and it will be dangerous and very painful if u do.

I remember when I had a colon, I had to take stool softeners for a month to avoid that.

so I think you will need to get the pouch emptying issue solved, since you could have issues otherwise.

Yes my issue with emptying was solved a long time ago. It's just that I got my hernia before I had my pouch figured out.

I had my K pouch (abdominal continent ileostomy) done in 1979.

My first hernia was somewhere around 2008. Then I started to get them constantly. It could be from abdominal muscles thinning out due to age.

The first fix was open surgery/internal, sutured. Next, they tried the outside-in approach. Neither worked...I finally needed to have my pouch moved and the whole thing redone (bad few years).

I made at least 7 or 8 new ones over the next 5 yrs and got them all fixed through laparoscopy. My surgeon is great, he is a specialist. They were all mesh repairs and all held beautifully (my abdomen must look like a patchwork quilt inside!).

I was kept for 48-72 hours in hospital only because he didn't want me to make any efforts for 3 days and stay flat to heal (ileostomy issues).

Pain was acceptable, post-op was fine and no issues since (he did the first one around 2010).

Personally, it is the only way I would have mine fixed. But again, that is personal and you need an experienced surgeon to do them right...it doesn't matter whether they come from picking up a  50lb bag of potatoes or bending to tie your shoelaces or coughing while pushing...a hernia is a hernia...sometimes they need fixing and sometimes not...yet. I prefer to fix them when they are small enough not to cause complications. I've seen the damage that they can cause when they get too big (before I found that surgeon, no one would touch me!)

I noticed that as I get older (yes, it happens to the best of us!) they are more frequent and that surgery is more difficult with age...so I prefer small fixes to open surgery. (less anesthesia, less scar tissue, less time in O.R or convalescing) but again...it's personal.

Sharon

Thank you for your story.  It’s not imperative that I get this surgery done now.  But my thinking is do I want to wait until I’m 70 or in an emergency state or have it when I’m younger and the recuperation is not as hard.  I will need to re train myself not to push.

Thank you for all your stories!

Hazel

Hi, when I had my colostomy operation, 4 days after the surgery I herniated through all the work and had to go to emergency surgery.  They “patched” the hernia but never truly fixed it.   Then with the colostomy, I had the take down surgeries in stages (3) and after the 2nd surgery, I was having bouts of throwing up as if there were blockages, but it would happen even when I did not eat so I thought it was the hernia.  After my take down, all was well and I had been doing really well and  I thought I was “done”, but the hernia came back and I knew with the swelling in my stomach.   Dec, 2022, I got an official hernia operation with full mesh.  I thought I was complete finally.   In the last two months the throwing up started again.   For the hernia, I am really glad I got the surgery, but does anyone else experience these bouts of throwing up ..like there is a blockage with a JPouch??   Thanks for any input.

I did have bouts,of throwing up even before hernia operation.  I had a few bouts since my hernia operation in 2018.  My GI dr said it was a obstruction & I should have went to er.

I worked it out myself.  In the past 2 yrs I'm good.   I believe everything is calmed down now.  I hate throwing up because it would last a whole day & night.  I pray u stay stable & this will pass.

There are many types of blockages that can cause vomiting, Hazel.

Firstly, it can be a food obstruction due to eating something very hard to digest, fibrous or thick things like potato skins. Secondly, it is because there can be swelling or narrowing of the intestine somewhere further down (those can be caused by adhesions (scar tissue that winds itself around the intestine), some kind of a thickening of a spot on the intestine so that it is no longer stretchy and won't allow bulky things through or a twist.

Sometimes it is a combination of a lot of those things.

I had scar tissue glue a loop of intestine to the abdominal wall. I could feel it whenever I ate. Some things like mashed potatoes would block up the loop and I would throw up for hours or days.  I only went to ER 3xs with blockages then realized that I could help them along on my own by moving, walking and bouncing up and down on my toes...I even bought one of those big Pilates balls that I sit on and bounce gently. It does help.

I have a cutoff time...27 hours. That is how long I will go before heading for ER. After that, I know that it can become dangerous, I dehydrate, can no longer take my meds (dangerous) and that I cannot help myself but need a doctor. I do not fool around with stuff like that.

My only real rule is that when I feel the blockage coming along, I stop eating. At some point, if I cannot even take a pill or sip water, that is my sign of a full blockage.  I feel like I am in labor...Waves of cramps that have me screaming in pain.

If I can ride it out for a day, I do. But past 27 hours, I know that I am dehydrated, dizzy and weak. That is when I head straight for ER.

Different people live it differently and have different personal rules. Mine is that I do not take a chance with my guts.

I had surgery twice on the loop. They 'liberated it' but the adhesions come back in about 2-3 yrs. Nothing that they can do about it.

The only advice that I can give is to get to know your body and what it needs then do it.

Sharon

Thank you both so much.  It is so great to know I am not alone.  Mine have taken 6 hours to finish but can I ask, what did the hospital do that would be different than just going through it?  The reason I am asking is that I thought it was the hernia but it seems that it could be many things and that in itself is really scary to think.  You never know when it will hit!!!   Did the hospital do tests to know exactly what to avoid the next time??   Just really curious of best way to avoid in future because this sucks!!!!

Jenncp,

I only go to the hospital if the blockage or occlusion is so severe that I require I.V. fluids or a Naso/gastric tube to help allow the blockage to clear.

Yes, it is very scary...I never know if or when it will hit...but fortunately, with the hernia surgeries (around 8 of them so far) they burn the adhesions and liberate the loop of bowel...it gives me a few years of peace and tranquility...

I've had contrast studies, to try to pinpoint the exact location of the spot...not always successful.

After all of these years, I just know when it is time...especially if I have been having repeat partial blockages and then start having full-blown ones...then I know that I need to call my surgeon.

P.S. he does them all through laparoscopy.

Sharon

Thank you so much.  I am going to call and let them know it is happening again.   Thank you so much!!!  

@Janiep posted:

I have one but my docs don’t want to touch it …. They’re worried that it’ll cause more scar tissue.

i had a small one where they closed my iliostomy and my surgeon at the hernia clinic did an onlay procedure. basically sew up the defect and mesh over the top and tacked in. So very little going deep into the tissue as i was worried it could maybe cause issues with pouch. I had gallbladder out a few years ago and now have another small one at that site. Going to see same doc to see what he states

that is great you are talking with doctors about it!   I always feel that we have so much going on medically that anything that can be taken care of to prevent future issues is worth it.  Good luck and see how they feel.

@Jaydog posted:

It didn't though. It happened about a year ago. I was pushing too hard in the bathroom and that's when it happened. I remember the exact moment believe it or not.

I'm actually still lifting weights every day with no issues. I went for a 3 mile run yesterday with no issues. It's just coughing, pushing in the bathroom, or yelling that gets me.

my guess is weightlifting was weakening the area over time from all the pressure and finally gave way from pushing.. I got a small one at my iliostomy site a few months after takedown carrying a case of beer for a long walk.. had it fixed

@Pouchomarx posted:

my guess is weightlifting was weakening the area over time from all the pressure and finally gave way from pushing.. I got a small one at my iliostomy site a few months after takedown carrying a case of beer for a long walk.. had it fixed

I truly don't think it has anything to do with lifting. I was in the gym this morning doing pretty heavy squats with no issues at all.

It's only when I cough or push when using the bathroom that it pops out.

At any rate I'm scheduled for surgery in May 3.