Question....Has anyone had to have hernia surgery?

I haven't seen my surgeon (Dr. Huse) yet about this, but my PCP and the nurse at Clarian Bariatric both are pretty sure that I have a hernia.  Dr. Huse checks this whenever I see him because I had some problems a week after surgery and they knew that there was a possibility of me getting one.   I assume I will need surgery for this.  It is pretty big in my upper stomach.  Can you tell me alittle bit about the surgery.......length of stay in the hospital, is the pain as bad as the open RNY, and anything else you can think of that would be helpful? I would appreciate any input.    Thanks, Candy

Candy, Really..it all depends on what type of hernia (internal/external), and the extent of the herniated wall that is going to determine the answers to all your questions.  I had 3 internal hernia's back in Sept. 2005. Dr. Gupta was able to repair them laprascopically and it was as an out-patient with no hospital stay at all. I think I was off of work for ~5-6 weeks and the pain was pretty close to what I had with my lap RNY..so not very much at all when I consider all the other stuff I've had done since then. On March 3rd, I had a huge external hernia repaired. It was large enough for me to look like I was about 8 months pregnant and it covered the entire right side of my stomach...well, at times, the intestines would also travel to the left side and down low to be on top of my bladder. This was a totally different beast. Based on pain, etc., my best guess is that the opening in the abdominal wall was ~12" x 4" or so. After putting the intestines back where they belonged (in a way so that they can't/won't be able to have the blood blocked off from them again), the two sides of the wall was pulled together as much as they could be and then mesh was sewn into place on each side of the wall to close up that gap. As scar tissue grows over this mesh, my abdominal wall will gain strength. The surgery was on Monday, I was released on Thursday...and pain was not in control until 8 days later. I am still on pain meds and if I sleep through a dosage time, I regret it. Dr. Gupta went in  where they had went in to save the intestines last October..which was an open wound. It was finally closed up and the scarring removed by my plastic surgeon, Dr. Bergman, at the same time. This portion of the surgery, I don't think is causing any or at least not much, of the pain I've been having. This has been the most painful post-op I've had to date and that's comparing it to 11 other surgeries. Of course, when the intestines lost their blood supply...which was what started this thing....it was the most painful thing I have ever gone through and I hope I never have to experience anything like that again. Dr. Gupta had told me that the usual hospital stay for a hernia repair is one night. The extent of mine was quite abit more intense than 'norm'. So you may not experience the pain I've had nor need to stay the length of time I did. Don't expect to go through this pain-free though. When you start talking about having to repair openings in your abdominal wall (which is what your hernia is), it's going to hurt. My only advise really is that if the pain meds they put you on doesn't cut it, let them know. Oh..I was also sent home with 1 drainage tube. I have gauze over the incision line (for mine, it is about 12-14"  long..from breastbone to pubic area and a 2nd one about 4" long along the pubic line), and am wearing a binder. I have alot of swelling from the surgery and gained 15 pounds instantly. Both of these should be gone within 2-6 weeks. Hope this helps..without scaring the crap out of you...lol. Sherri

Hi Sherry! Your reply was a help, but hopefully not as bad as your last one.  Mine is at the top part of my stomach and goes a little lower on the left side.  I don't have any pain so far so one of the nurses at Clarian Bariatric thought it'd be okay to wait until I see Dr. Huse on Mar. 26th unless I start having pain.  It will probably have to be done open because by having a revision my RNY was open.  I've only got about 20-30 lbs. to get to my goal weight.  I hate the thought of gaining weight again even if it is from swelling.....lol.  My weight right now is 160 lbs. and I want to get to somewhere between 130-140 lbs.  I haven't decided the exact weight, but I think I'll  pretty well know when I get there.  I know I don't want to weigh less than 130.  I'm around 5'2" short...lol..  My PCP and Ruthanne both think I'll be at my goal weight in June when I see them.....or real close.  That's good to hear.  I wasn't as heavy this time as the last time I had the VBG, so didn't have quite as much to lose.  I'd put on about 40 lbs. and sometimes it was up to 47 lbs.  I do feel really blessed to have had this surgery even with the problems I've had post-surgery.  My diabetes is gone, my cholesterol is way below 200 and it's great!!!  I just had my A1C test and cholesterol test from my PCP the other day.  She is very pleased as I am! Thanks for your input.  Talk to ya later Sherri.  Hope you're feeling better soon!  It's people like you that have been through so much that help the rest of us that are just going through stuff. Candy

i had henria surgery for a ventra hernia and i was in and out the same day and felt fine the next

Dr. Huse wants me to stay overnight because I had some problems with my RNY.  He said that if I was eating and feeling really good I could probably go home that night.  I don't care if I can't go home til the next day as long as I'm doing okay. I'm glad to hear that you did so well with your surgery.  I've heard so many different stories and some were definitely horror stories.....LOL.  My hernia is a pretty good sized one, but I hope I can feel as good as you did.  Mine also is a ventra hernia. Thanks for the positive news, Christopher! Candy