may need hernia repair again...

hi, its been a while since I have been here but my life has been pretty hectic to saw the least. first off my 19 year old son is in Iraq!!!!!!  He is on a base and does guard duty there BUT of course I am worried that someone can get onto the base and well you know! then my daughter graduated high school... this is great!  she is going to college in the Fall and iwll live there.  there will be no more kids left at home and just me and hubby and the pets will be here. I worked my but off getting the house ready for all the people who came from different states to see my daughter graduate.  I finally got my anemia under control and I was so happy to clean house and really put the house the way I wanted it BUT some where along the way I have re opened both hernia's. one is just under the rib cage and was really big and I had to have it fixed twice already, the first time I developed a MRSA infection in the mesh and all the mesh had to be removed. then some months later i was in a lot of pain in that area and my surgeon found that the whole area was full of scar tissue and he went in there and removed all that. I had a hernia fixed in the lower belly a while back too, this hernia was behind my belly button and was really really huge and when the surgeon went to repair it, he had to take my belly button. well every thing was looking good and I was feeling prettty good. I even gained about 5 or so pounds at my husbands request.  he said i was looking way too thin and that when I smiled he could see all the tendons in my neck plus he could see a medical tube that was theaded frum under my scalp and across my chest. SO. it took me a while but I gained some weight and I must admit, quiet a few people have said I look more healthy now... BUT about two weeks ago I thought I had gained even more weight but when I weighed myself, it was the same.  but my upper belly was looking bloated and my lower belly was also.  I thought maybe I had ate too much cake.... yes cake, it was from the graduation party and i felt fine. anyway, yesterday I was laying in bed on my back and I could see the indent of my upper and lower belly and when I felt those areas I could tell the hernia's were back...I am going to see my surgeon in a few weeks to make sure there is not any other problems but I do NOT plan on having him fix the hernia's this time.  I feel I need to go see a specialist but I really have no idea what type of surgeon to see.  I will also talk to my family doctor and see if he has anyone he would refer me too. so i am now feeling kind of low,  I am soooooooooo sick of surgery.... I have a genitic problem called neurofibromatosis that causes tumors to grow anywhere. most mine have been on my spine and I have had over 25 surgeries in the last 20 years..... anyone have problems with re occuring hernia's??  my surgeon did say that the hernia under the ribs was a hard one to fix and it may come back. but I was hoping it never would. sorry i have gone on and on. I have found so much help and support here and that is what I am looking for now. Thanks Donna 277/155 5'8

Dear Donna, I have only had two hernias to deal with.  I just wanted to let you know that you are in my prayers.  That I'm sure your Dr. will fix these I don't think the one under the rib is worse nessesarly.  I had mine under the rib, that was the first, then the 2nd was an incarcerated hernia, which was huge.  Thinking of you and feeling like you need a big hug right now!  Lots of Love, Karen

Hi Donna, Im just comming from having my herina repaired, and i can understand where you are comming from. I have alot of scar tissue this time around and still working them out.. they are not removing mine have to go to pt to be tought how to work them out. Your son and your daughter are in our hearts.  My daughter is graduting next year.. they grow up so fast. I would get ahold of the surgron that did your herina's in the first place.  And yes i understand being tried of hospital and doctors ... i know i am you take care  Dawn