Hi, just wanted some advice on Hernia surgery. I got a abdominal hernia about 6 mos. after my last surgery connecting the J pouch 2013. They say it is common. It hasn't given me a problem until the last few mos. A cat scan revealed a large superior midline ventral hernia which contains a portion of the stomach. My GI dr is sending me to a surgeon. I am concerned. Don't want another surgery. An thoughts?
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Nobody wants another surgery. Nobody wants a hernia, either. Just find out about different surgical approaches, and ask plenty of questions, so the surgery you are likely heading for goes as well as possible for you.
They put mesh in to hold mine back from the chest area all the way down to below navel. I had to have my gallbladder removed after that . When the surgeon saw me.. he said he never wanted to see the inside of my belly again. It is because that mesh adheres to everything. So this would also be something to ask about. Just incase you need future surgeries.
So I seen my surgeon today. He said more than I wanted to hear. Since takedown I have struggled with this JPouch. The pouch itself is great it's that small piece that connects to the rectum that is causing havoc. Nothing has help. He said that when I have hernia repair which would be the more complex fix not just a quick fix he would reconstruct the pouch to bring it down and then he cleans the end up and reconnects. This means I would have the bag for 3 months it would be a 6 mo recovery, 3 mos for hernia. I mentioned the Kpouch we he did not think that was a option for me.
I just don't know if can go through all that again. Plus he said if the reconstruction wouldn't work I would have a permanent bag. I am kinda in shock because I only have this 5 yrs and yes it has been a hard 5 yrs. He said that the hernia brought to him this option while I am opened he wouldn't want to do if this wasn't the case.
I'm suppose to think on it and get other opinions, but for sure I need the hernia repair.
TF, where are you from? My husband had a rather large hernia repaired a few months ago. The surgeon he used is in NY and has operated on all three of us! I would go for another opinion. If you live in the NY area, I can suggest someone.
Dianne
If you are giving thought to a K pouch or BCIR, you should have a consultation with a surgeon who does them.
It sounds like he’s proposing pouch advancement surgery, removing the rectal cuff that’s giving you trouble. This is generally hand-sewn, which is a very delicate procedure. This can be quite successful but should only be done by surgeons with plenty of experience at it. Combining it with the hernia repair is likely to be fairly straightforward, and does save you a surgery (*if* you choose to do both). Questions for him: How experienced is he at pouch advancement surgery? Is he planning a hand-sewn anastomosis (connection)? If so, how many has he done?
Echoing Bill V, I wonder why he said you weren’t a candidate for a K-pouch. He may just not have experience with it.
Thanks for your response. I am from Pa and my surgeon is from Philadelphia. My surgeon isn't the problem he is very good and he did my Jpouch surgeries. He just brought up this thought to think about because of going in and repairing the hernia. He said that if my quality of life is not good I should consider the reconstruction to move pouch down or go back to the bag.
Jeff's mom, wow ur son has been through much, God Bless you. This is not easy. I am 62 so older I get the harder it is on me. This choice won't be easy for me. Not sure if I should give up on the J pouch.