I posted this before but I was not getting any feedback so I will try again. I had my 90% of my colon removed in Sept, 1993. J-Pouch created in Jan, 1994, Total take down where it was all reversed in April, 1994 so I no longer wear a bag. That resulted in complication as I was in hospital with a grade 14 staff infection so was in hospital 24 days. Then in Feb, 1999, I had a major bowel obstruction that resulted in having 32 inches of small bowel was gangrene and was removed and that should have killed me. In the summer of 2006, I had another bowel obstruction but that only required me 5 days in hospital on complete bowel rest, no food and nothing to drink.
In April, 2009 I had a partial nephrectomy to remove 15% of my right kidney and had 3 tumors, 1 malignant and 2 benign. Later that summer, I had an inguinal hernia of my left side, the size of about a grapefruit. In 2010, I had an Inguinal Hernia surgery on my right side.
Currently, I had my 2nd bout with being a Lovenox because of an unprovoked blood clot in my lungs. So I have to give myself injections each morning for life.
I have known about the Incisional Hernia since 2009. Its gotten bigger. I want to have a surgeon take care of this but my only fear is the last thing I need is to add more scar tissue and adhesions which increases the risk of having another bowel obstruction. I was treated at Memorial Sloan Kettering in NYC for the other two inguinal hernias I had. But the doctor does not do non-invasive surgery like Robotics or a Laparoscopy. Either way, I will have to wear a mesh unless there is another way.
I live in New Jersey but I do not know if any surgeon would do this type of surgery that is not as invasive as this.
When I move my bowels all the time, I must bend over in order to push the gas out. Is there any other suggestions I can bring to the doctor when I see her on March 12th? I mean can they remove some of the existing adhesions and scar tissue?
Question 1: Because I lost so much of my small bowel from all my surgeries, I normally have 10 to 12 bowel movements in a 24 hour period. That is a good day. Sometimes I go more than that. Last year I had to purchase discreet seat (toilet seat covers). I started using them on January 1st. By the middle of December, I went through a 1,000 sheets, and that is what I just use at home. It does not count going to the bathroom at work or anyplace else. I am on Lomotil and take 2 tablets 2 x a day. Sometimes I must take more than that. How wonderful would it be if I could sleep thru the night without using the bathroom? Any suggestions please so I don't go so much would be helpful.
Question 2: The second question relates to my Incisional Hernia that I want to have removed but fear of an obstruction scares me. Can a surgeon remove some of the existing scar tissue and adhesions? Does anyone know if this can be using Robotics, Laparoscopy or any other noninvasive surgery.
I appreciate any help you can give me.
Thank you.