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Blueglass? Others With Mesh for Hernia Repair?

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Posted 8/30/2015 3:11 AM (GMT 0)
Two weeks ago today, I had my 3rd hernia repair since November of last year.

My colo-rectal surgeon told me after hernia repair #2 in April that if I had any more issues, I would have to have my stoma re-located to the other side and he would have to use mesh.

So, I had the pleasure of another blockage and 2 weeks ago on a Saturday no less, I went down to the OR with the understanding that my stoma would be moved to the other side with mesh. I was not looking forward to losing my original stoma as she has been near perfect, with the exception of the hernia saga. I went 3 years and 3 months with only a few times where I experienced brief SBO's, which subsided on their own. Then, last November--BAM !!!

So, in pre-op my surgeon came over and leaned on the bed and said that a general surgeon was also there doing surgeries that morning and he was talking to him about my issues with hernia's over the last few months. He said that general surgeons actually do more hernia repair surgeries than colo-rectal surgeons and that he [general surgeon] has had a lot of luck with using biological mesh, specifically, pig skin mesh.

He said that my hernia was a small opening and it didn't take much to get blocked when even a little amount of intestine pokes through and I was at greater risk for strangulation. He thought the biological mesh was worth a shot before the extent of moving my stoma to the other side. I told him I trusted his judgement and to do whatever was necessary once he got in there.

So, my stoma was not moved and I now have a piece of pig skin mesh in there hoping it does the trick. When I had my staples out this past week, my surgeon seemed optimistic that this would take care of it.

Just wondering who may have had hernia repair with mesh and what kind of mesh was used. How long ago was it done and was it successful.

Blueglass, I know you recently had your stoma re-located and I thought you mentioned having mesh.
Posted 8/30/2015 2:37 PM (GMT 0)
I have had 4 parastomal hernia repairs. The first one was a nightmare and I was allergic to the preservative the mesh was stored in. This was pig mesh. I ended up having 3 more surgeries and almost a month long hospital stay with that one.

The 2nd one mesh was placed and I did OK. Not sure what type of mesh, just know it wasn't the same kind that caused the allergic reaction.

The 3rd one when they went in, there was no sign of the mesh... Hmmmm. Idk what happened there, but I guess it must have disintegrated somehow. They placed more mesh. I was very unwell after this surgery and never fully recovered.

I had a full blockage from watermelon less than a month after the surgery that eventually cleared. I had pain and food would get caught where you could feel it literally with your fingers. Rock hard places. It felt like a metal chain link fence. The doctors blew me off until I started having blockage after blockage. Ct scan showed some mesentery fat being pulled into yet another parastomal hernia, but my doctor said he didn't think this would cause my pain I was complaining about.

Well, the stoma swelled and started turning purple and blue, so surgery was scheduled. This one was robotic and indeed the small intestines was being strangled, twisting and untwisting in that small space.

This last surgery was in May and mesh was once again placed and over the old mesh. The stoma was not moved because my doctor said that moving it was an absolute last resort as the hernia could reappear on that side.

I definitely feel better than I did after hernia repair #3. That was a year of hell.

How are you feeling now?

I hate these hernias. I wonder why some of us get them so easily and some don't. I am extremely careful lifting and wear a hernia belt most all day while working and doing chores.
Posted 8/30/2015 6:54 PM (GMT 0)
Boy, you sure have had a time with your hernia situation. And, I also wonder why some of us are more prone to them than others.

I am feeling great and hoping that I won't have any issues with this mesh. My doctor said I shouldn't need the hernia belt since surgery unless I wanted to wear it for comfort. Perhaps, I should revisit that and wear one just in case. I don't want any more issues.

How long was it before you knew you were allergic to the pig skin mesh preservative, and what were your symptoms?
Posted 8/31/2015 1:16 AM (GMT 0)
Oh you would already know. It was when I was in the hospital and I had a rapid heart beat, about 200 beats per minute and I was very sick and was taken back to surgery where it was noted that I was allergic to the preservative on the mesh by the whitish fluid surrounding the mesh. The doctor removed it and I had more issues with the bowel twisting and the hole being too tight around the stoma which accounted for the other 2 emergency surgeries.

You should do great and most do. I think I'm a fluke. Lol
Posted 8/31/2015 3:17 AM (GMT 0)
Oh my !!! I am sorry to hear about all that you have gone through. Makes my episodes pale in comparison.

I can also be a "fluke", at times. So, I don't get too comfortable and try to stay tuned-in to what is going on.

Fingers crossed that both of us are on an uphill swing and we won't have any more issues, at least for a long, long time :-)
Posted 9/1/2015 12:19 AM (GMT 0)
Sorry I'm chiming in so late.... when I get better, then I have so much work to make up, been crazy busy w/all that....

I really only had one surgery for my hernia.... well, I had one where they missed it, and weren't sure what was causing the blockages, but then the one in April was emergency surgery and my stoma was moved. She didn't use mesh at all. I've been concerned that I have a lump where my old stoma used to be, although I always had one behind the stoma (but it got bigger). My gi looked at it recently and he said it doesn't feel like a hernia, probably scar tissue....

Maybe this is denial, but it's not clear to me that people are "prone" to hernias.... just seems to me that once you have one it's hard to fix, because it can open up again. Not much comfort I know, but I have been told that I'm at no increased risk of hernia on the other side now that my stoma is moved (of course having an ileo is a big risk to start with....).

I have tried two different hernia belts and they've been really uncomfortable on my skin near my stoma ... not sure what to do about that... I'm fine w/the general feeling of the belt, but they press the wafer in and rub, and my skin ends up very irritated. So, I've been being careful about not lifting too much, and going to PT to learn which ways are OK to move and strengthen what I can strengthen (e.g. quad muscles and shoulders)....

Very much hope things will get better for you two. Definitely is hell to have obstructions all the time.
Posted 9/1/2015 12:28 AM (GMT 0)
Bluebglass, I just heard your message TODAY!!!! I thought you was a bill collectors and didn't even check the voice mail. I'm sooooo sorry. I can call you this weekend if you're not busy. I'm a bus driver and school is back and in full swing. We work full time here while school is on session.
Posted 9/1/2015 12:33 AM (GMT 0)
Answers, that's OK. Glad it wasn't that you were in the hospital or something.... so easy to miss messages these days. Sure, it'd be great to talk. I teach, so am just gearing up (we start Wed).... weekend sounds good.
Posted 9/1/2015 10:30 PM (GMT 0)
Wow, we went back to school August 10th. I'll call u this weekend. :)
Posted 9/1/2015 11:07 PM (GMT 0)
I am currently dealing with a parastomal hernia with small bowel loops through it. So far I have only dealt with partial blockages. I spoke with my surgeon recently and he prefers to wait a while and see how things go. I had a strangulated bowel with emergency surgery ten days after my proctocolectomy with end ileostomy. I really don't ever want to experience that again! I'm relieved to know that mesh may be used before they would move my stoma. My concern was that I would get a hernia on the other side. Then what??? I do have mesh from a ventral hernia repair. I have had it for 10 years and it has held perfectly. Thanks for sharing your experiences.
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