Hi I'm new at this computer. I'm 67 and not very computer literate. I have a hernia on my left side at my ostomy and one on my right side. The doctor won't operate until I lose at least 35 pounds unless I have a problem. They were both operated on in 2014. It was laproscopic surgery. They lined most of my abdomen with mesh and sometimes I think I can see the mesh under my skin.I'm worried about how big the hernia at my stoma will get and how they will remove the first mesh? I'm very frustrated over this whole thing.
cdm
Sep 23, 2016 4:06 pm
mild_mannered_super_hero
Sep 24, 2016 1:38 am
hernia repairs are quite often not permanent repairs, you cannot make your abdomen stronger by cutting it. i suggest you lose the weight if possible. i had a hernia repair 2 years ago and the surgeon told me to watch my weight and change my life style {no more heavy lifting}. the only person who can change the situation is you, make the commitment to lose the weight, get it repaired and be very caeful about anything that might stress those abdominal muscles. you can do it !!!
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Posted by: iMacG5
About seven years ago, just about every aspect of my life was ostomy related. From the moment I was told an ostomy might be needed until some months down the road I existed as a person afflicted with a colostomy. I feared someone other than my immediate family might find out I had a bag. Ugh! What could be worse? Suppose it filled real fast when I was out with no place to hide and take care of myself. God forbid should it leak in church! Suppose I roll over on it in bed. I was a lesser creature, destined to a life of emotional anguish and physical routines different from most of the rest of the world. I felt like a freak. Then I found folks like you guys here, read your stuff, really “listened” to what you had to say and I began looking at things differently. We know perception is everything and I began to understand how good things were relative to what they could’ve been. So many folks had it so much worse than I did. That didn’t make my discomfort go away but it exposed how fortunate I was to be dealing with my stuff and not their’s. I felt a little guilt, maybe selfishness but quickly forgave myself by understanding I just wasn’t smart enough to fix my feelings. Then, I wonder what smarts have to do with feelings. My perception was warped so my perspective toward my existence was warped.
I learned over the last few years with the help of lots of folks right here at MAO that I could be better at living just by accepting some facts. It is what it is and so what? It’s not the worst thing to happen to a person.
I think everything is, in some way, related to everything else. I just put the ostomy thing in the back seat and drive forward.
Respectfully,
Mike
Primeboy
Sep 24, 2016 4:01 am
Hi CDM. You got great advice from MMSH. My brother had a very bad experience with hernia repair, mostly because his surgeon was sloppy and negligent. Following the surgery for a routine (non-stoma related) hernia, his whole groin areas swelled and turned deep purple. His scrotum became the size of a large grapefruit and he needed to some contraption to support it. Apparently too many unnecessary "nicks" occured. If he could do it over, he would much rather live with the hernia than go through the current nightmare.
Not to wander too afar off your topic, CDM, I would add that when one doctor screws up, don't expect the other doctors in the same region of the state to jump in and help correct the situation. If there's ever an old boy's network, it's observed most acutely when the doctors who are sought for a second opinion on a botched surgery turn their backs on the patient and run.
If you find a surgeon you have implicit trust in, you are very fortunate and should feel comfortable with his or her plan of care. If it's not there, find someone else fast. Good luck!
PB
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