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Hernia Surgery

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LLNorth
(@llholiday)
Joined: 7 years ago
Posts: 603
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I have a very large hiatal hernia and a large and getting larger parastomal hernia and will be having surgery on each, the hiatal sometime this fall and the parastomal a few months after that recovery. The parastomal is bothering me more, but both surgeons recommend fixing the hiatal first, as a previous parastomal surgery can make things more complicated and difficult. As it is, the number of abdomal surgeries I have had isn’t going to make their job any easier.

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?


Colostomy 4/30/18.
I love the smell of coffee in the morning. It smells like .... victory.


   
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VeganOstomy
(@veganostomy)
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Joined: 12 years ago
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Oof, I'm sorry to hear about that ☹️ I know that several members have had at least one of those, but I'm not sure if any have done both. Hopefully, if they have, they'll chime in.

I'm glad that your medical team is doing the tests and extensive prep! Sounds like you'll be well cared for.

 
 
 

Just your friendly neighborhood ostomate.
~ Crohn's Disease ¦ Ileostomy ~


   
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Tigerlily
(@tigerlily)
Joined: 5 years ago
Posts: 521
 

As they say, it never rains, but it pours. I’m sorry that you’re dealing with all of this. I’ve never had a hiatal hernia, but I have had surgery for a parastoma hernia. Mine was a bit more complicated simply because I asked for biological mesh instead of synthetic mesh, but it was done by laparoscopy. So I spent the night in hospital, and home the next day. I know you’ve been told that a hernia belt won’t do any good, but would it feel supportive? It won’t fix the hernia, but would it be more comfortable?

 

Good luck as you prepare for these procedures. Surgery is never any fun, but I hope they’re both laparoscopic. 

Laurie


Just a semicolon


   
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Chelly
(@chelly)
Joined: 3 years ago
Posts: 856
 

I have a small hiatal hernia but they did not suggest to fix mine.

I did Have parastomal hernia repair with mesh and the surgery and recovery were not bad at all. It took care of that problem. No more feeling of weight pulling on me anymore and stomach flat again. 

 



   
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 LK
(@dlkfiretruck)
Joined: 8 years ago
Posts: 1666
 

Hi... I'm so sorry to hear if these Hernias! Not fun at all especially needing surgery.  I had an Umbilical hernia eons ago & once that was fixed it helped with a lot of tummy muscle issues. 

Now, I'm pretty sure I have a Hiatal Hernia but there's so much scar tissue I'm not sure they'd operate. I've adjusted my eating of food types, fluids and even position I eat in to adjust to its discomforts... ha, discomforts! On top of the symptoms,  I get these wild burps that I call inside out burps bcuz it sounds like I'm sucking air in when I burp, and they can be long.  Its usually very sudden and makes a sort of loud growly sound. The burps hurt too.  I eat very slowly & i have to lay on a slant to eat or I can't eat much food to satisfy and the heartburn and pain when & after swallowing feel like there's bruising when I swallow. 

Do you know when your surgery is? Id be interested to hear your symptoms of the Hiatal hernia.  I'm sorry I never replied to now.  It's  been busy and I was needed for my Moms dementia care before you posted this but I did read it.  I HOPE the surgeries take care of these issues for you & that no more crop up! Stay strong and intentional. 


Linda


   
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Tigerlily
(@tigerlily)
Joined: 5 years ago
Posts: 521
 

It looks like I will be having another hernia repair in the near future. A CT scan just confirmed it. A had a repair about 3 years ago, with biological mesh, because of concerns I had about synthetic mesh. My surgeon wants to send me to a hernia specialist, which I appreciate. I’m not sure how long that will take, especially since I will be away for awhile. I’m not thrilled about having another surgery, but I know it needs to be done, and I’m grateful that it should be done laparoscopically. Sigh.

 

Laurie


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Chelly
(@chelly)
Joined: 3 years ago
Posts: 856
 

@tigerlily so sorry to hear you have to go through another surgery. It will be worth it once done and all healed up though. 

 



   
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VeganOstomy
(@veganostomy)
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Joined: 12 years ago
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@tigerlily Argh! I'm sorry to hear the news, Laurie.

Did the repair "fail", or has a new hernia formed?


Just your friendly neighborhood ostomate.
~ Crohn's Disease ¦ Ileostomy ~


   
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Tigerlily
(@tigerlily)
Joined: 5 years ago
Posts: 521
 

@veganostomy It appears that the original repair failed. I was told that biological mesh will eventually be incorporated into my body, so maybe it isn’t strong enough to last. It will be an interesting discussion with the hernia specialist. I was hoping to go to the Shouldice Clinic for my previous repair, but when I looked into what procedures they do, unfortunately parastomal hernia isn’t on the list. They have such a good success rate, but now I wonder if that’s because they don’t do procedures that are more likely to fail. I don’t actually know, to be fair. I will likely opt for synthetic mesh this time; we’ll see what the surgeon recommends and why. Maybe she has just learned a brand new technique that is foolproof. Here’s hoping.🤞Anyway, I don’t expect it will happen before summer, which is fine because I will need to get my garden whipped into shape first.

 

Laurie


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VeganOstomy
(@veganostomy)
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Joined: 12 years ago
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@tigerlily I wish you all the best. I'm glad that you'll be working with the best of the best, and it's entirely possible that they'll be able to fix any type of hernia, including yours!


Just your friendly neighborhood ostomate.
~ Crohn's Disease ¦ Ileostomy ~


   
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Chelly
(@chelly)
Joined: 3 years ago
Posts: 856
 

 Prior to my recent stoma relocation, about 4 years ago,  I had the sugar baker method and used propalyne mesh which is synthetic. Beware though with propalyne has it high incident for adhesions. There are many types of mesh though. Coated/ uncoated etc...

 I was also told my mesh would eventually go into the body. The sugar baker method supports the area underneath the stoma  

It worked amazingly well. My tummy area was tight. I just had this stoma relocation though and they had to doctor up what they cut into and my  new stoma area is not supported right now so in the near future I may have to go back in for another mesh surgery. 

Most important thing after mesh hernia surgery is to not think your fixed for good and lifting heavier than 25 pounds forever my doc told me. 

I uploaded a Pic here so you can see the difference in the keyhole method and the sugar baker method.Sugar baker  #B is on the right. Will give you more questions to ask surgeon. 

 



   
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