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ileostomy hernia

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Posted 3/3/2008 2:37 AM (GMT 0)
I have heard stories about people with ileostomys getting hernias around stoma area in the scar area.

Can anyone give me any information about hernias? What do we to cause them?

Iv'e heard that there are ostomy belt out there you can ware to help prevent hernias from happening.

Jan

 

Posted 3/3/2008 2:48 AM (GMT 0)
well this is only from what i've read, but hernias are not uncommon in those that have had open surgery (which i did not have, mine was laproscopic) and mostyl caused from heavy lifting, this is because the muscle around the stoma or the surgery site are weak, so heavy lifting can cause the muscle to strain and therefore develop a hernia. I hope someone else can come along with better answers
Posted 3/3/2008 5:29 AM (GMT 0)
I've never had a hernia in 32 years :) Just be aware that your tummy muscles are now compromised because they, literally, have a hole cut right through them. Just be sensible and don't lift anything too heavy, esp at first (having said that, I know a couple of weight lifters who are ostomates and have not had any problems). The average weight limit that's generally agreed for ostomates is between 30 - 50 pounds (after you've healed) but of course, this can vary.
Posted 3/15/2008 11:14 PM (GMT 0)
Unfortunately, I was told by my ET Nurse that it looks like I have the start of a hernia. I'm seeing my doctor on Monday to verify it. I ordered a NuHope Hernia Support belt from Sterling Medical. I'm really bummed. You can get stoma hernias just from moving furniture/boxes, etc. with using your legs. I've had my ileostomy for only 9 months.

Your best chance of avoiding a hernia is by having strong abdomen muscles, which I don't have real strong ones.
Posted 3/17/2008 3:41 PM (GMT 0)
My greatest fear has come to pass, too. I have a small hernia on the right side of my stoma. My doctor told me recently that he didn't want to operate- so I have ordered a NuHope Ostomy Belt. When I was measured last week, the WOC nurse told me that losing weight could cause a hernia. Who knows? I have had this ileostomy since August and my belly has continued to bulge.

Why oh why didn't I exercise more when I was whole?

I really have great hope that this belt will help my belly to look a bit smaller. When the belt arrives in a few days, I'll post to let ya'll know if it helps.
Jennie
Posted 3/18/2008 3:02 AM (GMT 0)
nene205, I would love to read your feedback about the NuHope Hernia belt. I ordered one too, so I'll let you know how it works out for me as well. I saw my doctor today who confirmed it looks like I have the start of a hernia. It's not just from not working out. There are so many types of hernias. Ours is because of the incision. It's only natural for the intestines to want to go through an opening and that's what the doctor did - cut through the muscle. I'm sure the belt with help. Good luck!
Posted 3/22/2008 12:16 AM (GMT 0)
Ash83, according to my doctor, small blockages and certain foods can "mound" stoma area. A hernia appears hard. Check out Nu-Hopes website, there are drawings/pictures on their worksheet that show what hernias can look like. I know the area gets hard and the side where your stoma is bulges more than the other side.

My ET Nurse pointed it out to me when I showed her what I've been dealing with. She said it looked like I could have a hernia. I'm trying to get an ostomy support hernia belt, but the one I ordered was too big so I'll have to get a custom made one.
Posted 3/24/2008 5:44 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Jan625

I'm going in on 16th April for my second hernia operation,never lifted anything since op both times,i have a colostomy on my left side but i think it will be re-sited or i may have a iliostomy.Mine is very painful i think it is becuase my mesh has moved.


Take Care
Posted 3/25/2008 3:55 PM (GMT 0)
I just read in Contemporary Surgery that parastomal hernias can occur in up to 50%  of all patients!!! They are more common with colostomies than ileostomies. (I work in a health clinic- this months issue of Contmeporary Surgery has a big article on "Strategies to Avoid 3 common problems in Colorectal Surgery"....One of my coworkers floated the mag my way) But I definitely plan to bring the article with me to my surgeon & be like "Uummm, let's talk hernia!"
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