This topic is about managing a peristomal hernia and dealing with weekly appliance leaks. A person who has had a colostomy for nearly 14 years developed a hernia near their stoma a few years ago, and it has recently grown larger. Although they are not experiencing pain or issues with output, they suspect the hernia is causing their appliance to leak about once a week. They are waiting for a colorectal surgery appointment and are looking for advice from others who have experience with peristomal hernias.

Here are some helpful insights and advice shared by others:

1. If you need hernia repair, consider combining it with any other planned abdominal surgeries. This can be more efficient and may help preserve more of the intestine. For example, one person is waiting to have their hernia repaired during an upcoming ileostomy reversal.

2. To help reduce leaks, try using convexity products. Many people recommend using convex wafers and convex barrier rings, which can improve the seal of the pouch, especially if you have a hernia or a recessed stoma.

3. If the hernia is not causing pain, obstruction, or significant functional problems, a conservative approach might be best. Several people mentioned that surgeons often suggest leaving the hernia alone to avoid the risks associated with additional surgery.

4. If complications arise, mesh repair might be an option. One person shared their experience of having failed stitch repairs and eventually undergoing open mesh surgery, which was successful two years later.

5. To prevent hernia recurrence, be cautious with lifting. After mesh repair, one person was advised not to lift more than 20 pounds. Ignoring this advice led to the development of a new small hernia.

6. Keep an eye out for signs of obstruction. For one person, experiencing a partial bowel obstruction was the deciding factor to move from a "watch and wait" approach to opting for surgical repair.