I had my peristomal hernia repaired nearly 4 weeks ago. The procedure was robotic, and mesh was used for the repair. I am sore. It surprises me that I have so much discomfort in my lower abdomen and around the surgical site 4 weeks after my surgery. I am 62, have a belly, and am 30 lbs overweight. I have felt lucky I could eat again! Have others had discomfort like this?
BlazeHuber
Feb 09, 2025 2:46 am
Beachboy
Feb 09, 2025 3:14 am
Gonna take a while to recover. Especially with mesh placement. Take it easy. Especially coughing and sneezing. Real easy to develop an incisional hernia.
MeetAnOstoMate is a remarkable community of 41,412 members.
“I found real people, real humor, and answers I couldn’t get anywhere else.”
“The support here impressed my husband’s medical team - they plan to recommend it.”
“This community saved me when I thought I was a freak. Now I’m thriving.”
“Thank god for this site - I finally knew what to ask my surgeon.”
Posted by: drfields24
Hello everyone!!!
It has been almost a year since joining this site. I just wanted to share. I know a lot of people get concerned about meeting someone on here. I'm not a lifer membership and I had someone initiate to take me out. I've been divorced since 2009. He lives in Chicago. I ignored the first time thinking he was joking. I live in Milwaukee. So a month later he sent me a message through this site saying he wanted to meet me. That was in April this year. I must say it was the best thing that could happen to me. We talk almost every day. We have so much in common. He comes up all the time to spend the day or weekend together. It really does make a difference when someone has an ostomy like you. Such understanding and we always have something to talk about. I want to share because sometimes people think it's hard to meet someone or they say this site doesn't work. I'm a testimony that this site does work. We are talking marriage this time next year. I will keep you posted.
Gracie Bella
Feb 09, 2025 4:47 am
Because I had 33 surgical procedures that involved making a large incision in the abdomen to get to my bowels, I ended up with a small hernia above, but they kept making it in the same place. (Apparently, I am quite complicated 🙄).
A rather big mesh was put under it, as the hernia went from small to really large, and it took me approximately 6 months for everything to heal properly. A small part just kept refusing to heal, and it took a long time for skin to grow completely over the scar site.
But everyone is different. We all heal differently.
I suffer from a lot of acute as well as chronic pain, which is not much fun - but at least I am alive.
Take care of yourself. No heavy lifting. If you need to sneeze or cough, support your abdomen so that it doesn't hurt as much, and so that you don't develop any other hernias.
Be kind to yourself.
Advertisement
Hollister
Using ostomy accessories to create a personalized pouching system can help you prevent leaks and protect your skin.
Learn about the physical and emotional benefits of using ostomy accessories.
Learn about the physical and emotional benefits of using ostomy accessories.
Maried
Feb 09, 2025 3:44 pm
It's been a while since I had the same surgery, but I remember it was 8 weeks before I returned to work. 4 weeks, your body is still repairing itself. Eat well, rest, and get some walking or some type of movement in.
Jayne
Feb 09, 2025 7:10 pm
BH
You do not say what kind of hernia - and more importantly, the method and extent of repair - all of which - along with what may be happening is relevant to your situation.
The general advice is to monitor your own actions and be kind to yourself - especially allowing your surgeon's work to heal/settle - but also to feed back any pertinent complications that may be happening so that the surgical team may monitor and help if there are elements that may need further attention whilst they may be addressed as an adjunct to the surgery that has been undertaken - otherwise, a period of settlement and further monitoring may be required before a reintervention may be scheduled.
Either way - feed back directly to your surgical team what you are experiencing.
BW
~ ~ ~ ~ jayne ~ ~ ~ ~
Getting Support in the Ostomy Community with LeeAnne Hayden | Hollister
