TranquilMind Posted August 19, 2012 Share Posted August 19, 2012 I now know a lot about this subject, having done a bunch of research, but I'd like to hear personal stories. Apparently, hernias are common after abdominal surgeries of any kind, like appendectomies. There are various repair methods. A few places sew them up, but some patch them with mesh and staples. The latter method sounds a little less safe to me. Any stories out there? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
curlylocks Posted August 19, 2012 Share Posted August 19, 2012 (edited) I now know a lot about this subject, having done a bunch of research, but I'd like to hear personal stories. Apparently, hernias are common after abdominal surgeries of any kind, like appendectomies. There are various repair methods. A few places sew them up, but some patch them with mesh and staples. The latter method sounds a little less safe to me. Any stories out there? I had a hernia repair done about 13 years ago...I was 20 weeks pregnant with my third child. (I had never had any abdominal surgery previous to the repair...) I have mesh and staples...I have had no complications. I was on "light duty" for about 4 weeks. I could lift nothing heavier than a gallon of milk. I couldn't sweep, vacuum, lift the toddler, etc. I recently heard that many of the mesh repair failures are due to surgeons using the wrong type of mesh. Edited August 19, 2012 by curlylocks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TranquilMind Posted August 19, 2012 Author Share Posted August 19, 2012 I had a hernia repair done about 13 years ago...I was 20 weeks pregnant with my third child. (I had never had any abdominal surgery previous to the repair...) I have mesh and staples...I have had no complications. I was on "light duty" for about 4 weeks. I could lift nothing heavier than a gallon of milk. I couldn't sweep, vacuum, lift the toddler, etc. I recently heard that many of the mesh repair failures are due to surgeons using the wrong type of mesh. Hi Amy, Thanks for responding with your story! I have a question about the mesh. It seems to me that if they don't sew the sides together but merely patch the "hole", then the belly will not go back the way it was pre-hernia. Did that happen? It seems that if you just cover a hole, instead of bring the muscles back into alignment, it will stay larger? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
curlylocks Posted August 19, 2012 Share Posted August 19, 2012 Hi Amy, Thanks for responding with your story! I have a question about the mesh. It seems to me that if they don't sew the sides together but merely patch the "hole", then the belly will not go back the way it was pre-hernia. Did that happen? It seems that if you just cover a hole, instead of bring the muscles back into alignment, it will stay larger? Hmmm....my surgeon knew my belly would continue to grow (and have added stress on the muscles) as I was only 20 weeks pregnant. So, he made the patch larger than the actual hole -- he went to the left and right and up and down. My belly is bigger and not the same shape as it was pre-pregnancy, but it is hard to tell how much of that is because I've had 3 babies, 4 miscarriages and I'm overweight. :tongue_smilie: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TranquilMind Posted August 22, 2012 Author Share Posted August 22, 2012 Hmmm....my surgeon knew my belly would continue to grow (and have added stress on the muscles) as I was only 20 weeks pregnant. So, he made the patch larger than the actual hole -- he went to the left and right and up and down. My belly is bigger and not the same shape as it was pre-pregnancy, but it is hard to tell how much of that is because I've had 3 babies, 4 miscarriages and I'm overweight. :tongue_smilie: Is ANYONE's belly the same size and shape as pre-pregnancy. Yes, there are those women who are figments of our imaginations...:tongue_smilie: I'm sorry about your losses. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cera Posted August 22, 2012 Share Posted August 22, 2012 I had a mesh repair and it caused a lot of problems. I wound up having a second surgery to have the mesh removed and the damage it caused repaired (and there are still issues). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
snowbeltmom Posted August 22, 2012 Share Posted August 22, 2012 Dh had a hernia repaired about 18 years ago. They used mesh as well, and he still sometimes complains of pain/discomfort in the area, and he has a high tolerance for pain. My youngest son had a hernia repaired when he was 2 yrs. old. He has never complained of any discomfort. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Momof3littles Posted August 22, 2012 Share Posted August 22, 2012 There have definitely been issues related to surgical mesh, both in hernia surgeries and in surgeries done for things like prolapse. I know of 3 people IRL who have had issues with mesh used in hernia repairs, fwiw. Lots of good info here. I sent this to a family member who was dealing with mesh-related issues post hernia repair. There are things to consider with respect to type of surgery, who you choose as a surgeon (specialist who does a lot of hernia repairs vs. a general surgeon), etc. http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052970203833004577249344022834000.html http://blogs.wsj.com/health/2012/02/28/informed-patient-reducing-the-risks-of-hernia-surgery/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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