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Possible incisional hernia--need advice

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Posted 5/16/2016 5:50 AM (GMT 0)
Howdy again. This afternoon I started having some abdominal pain. For the past 18 months, I've noticed little bulges in my abdomen. This pain is near one of these bulges, but it could just be due to irritation as it's also near my large belt buckle. It is hard to say if it is near where they did the Da Vinci (I can't remember where the holes are),.

Anyway, this may be nothing or it could be an incisional hernia or some other abdominal hernia (it is not an inguinal hernia; I had one repaired in 1988!).

Can such a hernia be repaired laparoscopically? It seems folks here who have had at least an inguinal hernia after a Da Vinci surgery had to have an open procedure.

So, feedback please on this situation.

Mel
Posted 5/16/2016 9:38 AM (GMT 0)
I had an abdominal hernia above my belly button. It was about half the size of a golf ball. Had open surgery a year before prostate surgery.


I lived with it for several years before surgery. I bumped it and it hurt like heck which is what sent me seeking treatment.

Although rare, abdominal hernias can get pinched off and will turn gangrene. Was told you'll have several days notice that things are getting worse.
Posted 5/16/2016 10:35 AM (GMT 0)
Compiler,
I had three inguinal hernia repairs (two open, one laparoscopic with mesh) followed by laparoscopic prostate removal .... and then the laparoscopic incisional hernia repair (at the navel incision with mesh). The inguinal hernia repairs did not pose any problems for the incisional laparoscopic repair. The inguinal repair with mesh did cause a problem with the laparoscopic prostate repair.... the doc had to find a way around the mesh.

There was no mistaking my incisional hernia. It looked like I had a ball hidden under the skin. It didn't hurt but as it grew you could see it under my shirt! The doctor said I could postpone surgery, but it would likely grow and could strangle the bowel, so I had it repaired. The incisional hernia repair was an easy recovery compared to the other surgeries.
Posted 5/16/2016 1:27 PM (GMT 0)
My feedback: "That's got to hurt, get it fixed."

more wisdom later.

Andrew
Posted 5/16/2016 2:21 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks. These are 4 little puff-outs, kind of oval shape, and not huge. It's been there awhile, as I said.

My belt buckle is tight against one of these and that's what started to hurt.

It lasted a few hours, but no pain since. I'll consult my medico, but it sounds like no rush.

Not sure what this is, really.

It is very soft; not like a golf ball (but as I said, 4 small spots).



Mel

Post Edited (compiler) : 5/16/2016 8:38:32 AM (GMT-6)

Posted 5/16/2016 8:27 PM (GMT 0)
They could simply be the four scars from the Da Vinci.

I haven't looked at my scars in a while. I have way too much gut hanging over...but will take a look this evening.
Posted 5/16/2016 8:44 PM (GMT 0)
Steve:

You should take a look right now.

Ignore those ladies covering up their kids' eyes!

Mel
Posted 5/16/2016 9:35 PM (GMT 0)
Mel,

There are usually five incision sites for DaVinci. The largest incision (and the most likely to spring a leak later) is just over your navel. That's where the prostate is pulled out after it is cut loose and bagged up. The other four sites are smaller laparoscopic punctures about 4 inches to the left and right of your navel. There is another pair of pokes about three inches below those two. Can't say I would expect any of them to get in the way of your belt buckle unless you have one of those rodeo-champion, dinner plate, pro-wrestler things going on.

You might read up on "Lipomas" (aka lumpy bits in middle aged flab). That's what it sounds like to me.
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