mulitple or recurring hernias?

has anyone experienced more than one hernia? i've already had an incisional hernia repair following tah/bso, and now think i have another hernia in the same area! i'm concerned that there's now an abdominal weakness in this area resulting in these hernias. thanks in advance for your feedback.

I haven't had a hernia...but many women on this forum have. Hopefully, someone will be by to offer there personal experience. A Lot of women have success with a mesh repair...Good luck with your hernia!

What does your doctor say about it?

thanks for your thoughts, k9. i've not yet gone to the doctor; i have an appointment coming up soon. my concern at this point is that this would be my second hernia! i've already had one incisional hernia repair surgery. i'm not certain that it's a hernia again, but i'm suspecting it based upon my symptoms.

Soooo sorry to hear about this! I have every bit of confidence in you that you will get to the heart of this matter! I know, it's a lot more effort time, energy, and "forced" relaxation, but I am sure you will discover a way to find relief, and then move on to the next catwoman adventure! You have been so resourceful to many gals here. I am sure someone will come along who can offer you some sound advice, or at least be able to compare notes!

I am still trying to figure out if I have a hernia, from about 6 months after surgery. Hard to tell on me because I am so overweight. I have been told yes and no, and even by the same doctor! I have been told that if I do that mine is not causing me any harm. I do know that some are more harmful than others. Get it checked to make sure it is not the sort that could strangulate your bowels or any other part of the circulatory system. My current gyn onc says whatever is going on with me is purely cosmetic... even though it continues to get bigger.

So gal, book that appt! Good luck to you with this! Hope all else is going fine!

-Terri

I am on my 4 th hernia. Mine are umbilical. I have had surgery 3 times to repair them and am waiting to do the fourth. It really isn't causing any issues as of yet. This last one is only 1 cm but has caused a lipoma. I have had various ( 6 i think) surgeries that have gone through my navel and have weakened the wall. I am playing wait and see. I have seen the surgeon but found that my upcoming surgery to replace my implants is more important at this time. I can't do both without a major wait in between the surgeries due to my chances of infection. My advice to you is get it checked out, see what issues it is causing and go from there. I was told everytime they go in to repair a hernia, the chance of it coming back is high. The last one, mesh was used. This new one is just to the right of the mesh. For me it is a no win situation. Good Luck!

I had my TAH/BSO for ovarian and uterine cancer on in November 2004. I was cut from about 2 inches above my belly button, around it and down to my pelvic bone. 10 months later in September 2005 I had a hernia repair (no mesh) for an incinsional umbilical hernia. 11 months after that in August 2006 I had another incinsional umbilical hernia repair (with mesh). So far so good. My gyn/onc did the first repair and used it as an opportunity to take a quick look around. The second one my gyn/onc referred me to a hernia specialist who he said he went to. As others have said once the abdominal walls have been cut vertically there is a lot of tension on the musacles. Good Luck

thank you to everyone who responded! my incision was horizontal, but i've read that hernias are not uncommon after abdominal surgeries, and i'm guessing some of us may be more prone to them depending upon our individual anatomies and our surgeries. and, this isn't cosmetic....in fact, there's nothing to 'see'. do some hernias show? i haven't experienced that. i've got an appointment set up, and i'm going to start with my internist and go from there. i'll definitely be going to see her because the pain is quite persistent, particularly when i use my abdominal muscles. oh, and my hernia surgery used a mesh as well....i think that's considered the 'best' way to repair them and prevent them from reoccuring. so, that first surgery spot should be nice and solid!

well...an update....it's official...i have another hernia. my internist was able to quickly determine that that what it was, and showed me how to feel the lump (need to be standing!). so, now i have to see the surgeon. i'm bummed. it was one thing to think it was a hernia, and another to know that that's what it is. i'm going back to the same surgeon who repaired the first hernia. the internist doesn't see this as an emergency....so that's a good thing. i didn't want a surgery this year. and it will be the 4th time my incision is opened...and it does not have velcro on it! plus, i won't be able to do my yoga afterwards for a while, and my job is very physical so it impacts that....and well, like i said, i'm bummed. i know it could be worse, but it still sucks! (thanks for listening to me vent!)

Of course you are bummed, catwoman000, especially as it sounds as if you have really been working on wellbeing both emotionally and physically. I'm not up on hernia issues. Do they arise because, for instance, of your "very physical" work, described in your last message?

I'm sorry. You are right -- it could be worse. So hang in there, and we'll watch for your updates on the boards!

hernias, such as mine, occur because of abdominal surgeries. it's not related to physical activity. they are called incisional hernias. this is another reason that people shouldn't jump to have a hysterectomy thinking it's a cure-all. many of us have had to have hysterectomies, but everyone should be well informed about the possible consequences.