Not feeling great. Over the past year I have adusted what, how often, and what quantities I eat, and am taking metamucil and/or miralax every day, which is generally working.  I have lost a few pounds that I should have, anyway. The parastomal hernia is tender; the PA in Digestive Health doesn’t think a hernia belt would do much good. She advises holding onto my abdomen when I cough.

I am surprised at how many and how extensive tests and preparations are for hiatal hernia surgery.

Has anyone had to have these two surgeries?

Any idea of how long recovery is ? Hopefully it's getting done via keyhole barring any complications, 

Have a concert in the middle of August so hopefully I'll be ready for that 😷

I have eight (8!) small incisions in my poor belly - I look like a sieve. My surgeon apologized, but explained that because I had requested biological mesh, which is much thicker than synthetic, it can’t be tacked in the usual way. It’s too thick for the tacks that are typically used. So she had to suture the mesh to the muscle in 8 different spots. Most of the incisions (“it’s only a flesh wound “) feel okay now. Most of the discomfort is directly beneath the ostomy, where she would have sutured the opening to a much smaller size, and then sutured the mesh, as I mentioned.  I was able to walk around the hospital hallway the next day, but I can’t say it was fun. I’m much better now. Although my belly is swollen and tender, the hard lump that was my hernia is gone. And for that, I am very grateful. 

I am wearing a hernia support belt, a binder, really, that I ordered from Vanilla Blush in Glasgow, and I absolutely love it. There is no hole for the ostomy, so it might not be right for everyone, but right now, I really appreciate the snug and secure feeling it gives my belly. There’s nothing like abdominal surgery to make you worry that your innards are going to spill out onto the floor - I know it won’t happen, but it’s hard to shake that feeling. The support belt just gives me that extra feeling of security. It’s adjustable,(Velcro) so I can decide how tight I want it. 

Laurie

told to get as fit as possible and before surgery to take Nutricia Pre Op drink , never heard of this before ,

Anyway if I do go through with the surgery , hopefully it will be successful and my life will improve even more , 

as usual thanks for reading . 

First I would thank all of you, you were the place I would run for when I was having a breakdown because of my ileostomy.

Today I came to present my problem in the right place and I know that I will find good answers as usual. 
I had an ileostomy reversal more than one year ago and all is good now in a matter of health, but in the matter of beauty things look out of control a little bit 😹. 

When I had my reversal surgery they surprisingly closed all the place where my stoma was and I knew it may cause infection because I’ve seen many people on YouTube talk about their closure and their doctors left a spot open in their stoma place, but mine was fully closed. After a few days mine got infected 😫 and they had to reopen it and cleaned it and then they left it open to close it self and what a surprise it did close itself. 

Now after a more than one year as I said I'm all good but I don’t feel confident at all with this hole in my abdomen :( , it looks very ugly and I can't look at it I feel angry and depressed. I'm asking if you know any tips that will make it better or a surgery to fix it it would be great for me and my confidant. 

Thank you all!!

Curious about outcomes and how active you can be after. 

Thanks!