Question:
I just went for my 1 year check up and was told I have an internal hernia .
Can anyone tell me how long it takes to recover from having this repaired? Thanks, Carol — CAROL M. (posted on March 21, 2005)
March 21, 2005
I've had two hernial repairs -- they weren't too bad. The went back in
through 3 of the origional 4 scars, and my bellybutton. The recovery was
much easier than the original surgery because I could eat! Maybe a week
were it was hard, and then another week of being tired, and then it was
pretty much back to normal.
— Deirdre M.
March 21, 2005
I personally felt the hernia surgery was worse than the open RNY..Took me
much longer to recover, in fact a few months before I felt back to normal
but I am 55 and my age could be a factor..Best of luck to you.
— Kathy S.
March 22, 2005
Hi. An "internal" hernia could mean a hiatal hernia, which is
when the stomach protrudes through the diaphragm partially. It is
associated with acid reflux. An incisional hernia (also called a ventral
hernia) is a separation of your surgery incision that allows intestines or
fat to poke through. Both may need surgery, especially if you are having
problems.
— DrL
March 24, 2005
I am 15 months post-op and was having severe pain when I ate...they did
exploratory surgery and docs suspicion was right...hernia. He said that
when you lose a lot of weight it tends to pull on the intestine where they
attached it and part of it protrudes through the hole strangling the
intestine. My surgery was similar to the lap rny I had but only took a
week to recover...they did remove my gallbladder too...the hernia was on
the left, gall bladder was on the right. 5 small incisions just like my
lap rny. Not too bad for recovery and he said it is remotely possible that
it will happen again...happens often in wls patients due to the sudden
loss.
— boonikki29
April 1, 2005
I was about 11 months post -op, when I had my internal hernia. I woke up 1
day with a funny stomach pain,(thought I ate something I shouldn't have).
As the day went on the pain got worse, wound up in the ER and having
emergency surgery. When we lose so much weight things inside are not as
tightly packed as before. My intestine had wrapped itself around and
adhesion that was from the bypass. Not something to fool around with, I was
lucky I got treatment early and I have good surgeons, they suspected it
right away and sent for CT scans and X-rays. IF not treated your intestine
can die. Recovery was easy, I had the repair laparascopically.
— goldroses
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