Hernia info please.

[KurriKurri]

I've got an appointment at the hospital Hernia Clinic next week. My GP has referred me having DX an incisional hernia.

What should I expect, Will I have some sort of scan? And is it likely that I will need surgery? (Hernia is about the size of an orange and sticks out of my abdomen, but can be pushed back in if that's any clue) All knowledge and advice gratefully received

I'm not an expert! But I have worked as a medical secretary in our local hospital, so all I know is pretty much what got dictated in operation notes or consultants' letters.

As I understand it, an incisional hernia means that the closure of the abdominal muscles from your previous surgery didn't work (which sometimes does happen for no particular reason). Closure of the gap is done as a surgical procedure and either involves stitching of the gap in the muscles, or stitching in some mesh as a support for your internal organs and then closing the gap over that.

Your appointment at the Hernia Clinic is likely to be just a repeat of the examination your GP did, to check the diagnosis.

Given the size of your hernia, I would (again) guess that surgery is likely to be the option. It isn't good for bits of you to be where they shouldn't because of the risk of cutting off the blood supply. Straightforward hernia repairs in healthy people is often done as a day case.

Thank you for answering huggly - that is really helpful, I had thought surgery probably likely, but pleased to hear you can be in and out quickly

You will be asked to lie down and cough. The consultant will cup the hernia as you do so to assess size. You will be asked about your pooing habits and any changes. Hernias the size of an orange less risky than smaller hernias as they do not become strangulated easily but still requires graft repair. A small incision will be made and a graft inserted, then stitched up. Obviously this will not happen next week.

Do not worry, it's very routine. Recovery is painful but only for a few days.

Thank you pope, is it a long time before you are able to do sports, swimming etc. again? - I'm normally fairly active and am hoping not out of action for too long.

My DS had a hernia repair when he was a baby. Very routine and he recovered quickly.

It's about ten days to normal activity but no exercise for four weeks at least. Expect to take a while for your abdominal muscle to build up again and feeling can take a while to come back too.

Many thanks all, very helpful