About Hernia at Stoma Site - Has anyone just lived with it?

I had a small one a few months after my takedown, general surgeon had me wait a few more months and then he repaired with mesh. This was about 3 years ago

I would not recommend keeping it, sometimes things get worse overtime. I am not sure how old you are but get it taken care of now so you can peace of mind when you get older.  You definitely do not want more problems like blockages or something worse. 

Had an inguinal hernia about 7 or 8 years ago.  Concerned about my system 'shutting down' or a possible ileus under general anesthesia, we opted for a MAC procedure.  It is lighter sedation than general.  The thought was it would help avoid any shutdowns / ileus.  Can't say it was The Reason but I didn't have any issues!

@Michael posted:

Had an inguinal hernia about 7 or 8 years ago.  Concerned about my system 'shutting down' or a possible ileus under general anesthesia, we opted for a MAC procedure.  It is lighter sedation than general.  The thought was it would help avoid any shutdowns / ileus.  Can't say it was The Reason but I didn't have any issues!

where do you think the inguinal hernia came from??? Some kind of exercising, like weight lifting or something extensive???

My hernia caused my stoma to stretch so bad it was difficult in getting an appliance to stay on. I also had a mid line hernia. She fixed both too. The midline hernia had come back so she had to contend with that mesh plus she worked hours on my adhesions. 

4 days after surgery I went via ambulance to the hospital with a post op ileus. I can't imagine 3 weeks with it. I was in for that 3 days. Super dooper pain! They say child birth pain is a 10. I've had 2 children and the ileus pain was a 12! 

I see why you don't want more surgery. My dad had a hernia that came back and they didn't operate on it. He was elderly so his age might have had something to do with that. I was imaging it strangling the ileostomy with mine. That would be nasty.

There are different kinds of hernias and different situations. I’d expect the risks of complications (from leaving them alone) may vary a lot. It might be worth asking the surgeon if there’s any data to suggest the likelihood of trouble in this particular case. An ileus is no fun, but they do go away on their own, and they are much less trouble than a strangulated hernia. FWIW I had a 10-day ileus, so I really do know how miserable they are.

I was the queen of peri-stoma hernias about 10yrs ago. I started with a small one around my stoma that grew quickly (I have a k pouch so that was a major problem with continence)...my k pouch surgeon tried outside fix, inside fix, open, moved my stoma...twice..., rebuilt it, moved the pouch...it was endless.

I just kept re-herniating. No explanations. 

I found a specialist in laparoscopic surgery here. He does mesh repairs. He did a key-hole procedure using the mesh like an umbrella all around my stoma (like a pleated skirt).

Did a few other hernia fixes over the years...I probably look like a patchwork quilt inside by now. 

The surgeries are short and sweet. Usually an hour. None of the post-op complications that I had with open surgery. No ileus. 

In my case, mine stretched and spread very quickly. But that is my body. 

Other people can live long and happy lives without things getting out of hand. Listen to Scott. Talk with a surgeon and ask for all of the information possible. 

Sharon

P.S.

If possible you might want to get a second opinion. 

@Scott, I felt like I was dying and don't think mine would have gone away on it's own. I've had obstructions before and made it thru. With the post op ileus they sucked stuff out of a tube from my stomach thru my nose for several days. You are a better man than I am if you suffered thru that on your own

@TE Marie posted:

P.S.

If possible you might want to get a second opinion. 

 

@Scott, I felt like I was dying and don't think mine would have gone away on it's own. I've had obstructions before and made it thru. With the post op ileus they sucked stuff out of a tube from my stomach thru my nose for several days. You are a better man than I am if you suffered thru that on your own

Marie, your ileus did go away on its own. Nothing the health care team did corrected the ileus. Of course the back-pressure needs to be managed if it gets severe, so the NG tube can be an unpleasant accompaniment to an ileus, but I wasn't suggesting ignoring the ileus. I was suggesting that the temporary problem of an ileus may be less worrisome than the potential complications of an untreated hernia.

@NYC Googler posted:

I haven't posted in years which means I'm a pretty happy poucher. I do have, and have had for over 12 years this hernia at my stoma site. It's never bothered me, never been painful. Here's the problem. After both surgeries I had paralytic ileus, instead of taking a few days to wake up my system took over 3 weeks. It was not fun, it was touch and go, I never want to experience it again. I saw a surgeon about another hernia and he explained he was doctor bound to suggest I fixed the stoma hernia too. He understood my reluctance but felt he had to explain the potential dangers of ignoring the stoma hernia. So those of you who have a stoma hernia what have you done or not done about it? Has anyone had a serious problem, strangulation, because of ignoring it? Thanks.

Also herniad can lead to blockages. Blockages can lead to death. So definitely get it taken care of ASAP