Feeling nervous and anxious about abdominal hernia operation

[Discoverysnakes]

Not really sure why I’m posting!

I had to have a myomectomy late last year - I’d haemorrhaged very badly, then there were concerns as to whether my fibroid was cancerous ( it wasn’t!) so I guess the operation seemed necessary. Oddly I wasn’t that nervous, other than the GA which I always feel jumpy about.

Unfortunately I’ve developed a large incisional hernia which I’ve been advised needs fixing - because of my previous c section and myomectomy will have to be open abdo surgery again. I’ve no idea why but I’m so anxious and nervous about it. I’m a single parent and keep questioning whether I should go for the op - perhaps it’s because the last experience is so recent also maybe because the reason I first went about my symptoms was largely vanity of the protruding stomach.

Any positive experiences of this type of surgery gratefully received!

Yes my dad had it last year at aged 87!

He had it as a day surgery case and seemed to recover very well. There was a risk due to his age about the general anaesthetic but they wanted to do it electively in case it caused an emergency surgery at some point which would have been much more difficult to manage. And he'd had a couple of trips to A&E when it had bothered him.

Obviously each case is individual and I don't know his full circumstances let alone yours; and all operations and ga but that's one good result!

all operations and ga have their risks*

That is a good result!

Unfortunately I have to stay in 3 nights because of previous abdominal surgeries. I do think part of it is my recent memory of the myomectomy and whilst it was bearable the first few days were pretty unpleasant. I’ve no idea of this will be the same/worse/better.

Hi @Discoverysnakes - I am in a similar boat as you. I have been told the same - open surgery with mesh for hernia and stay in for 3 days. Are you going to NHS or private for this? I would suggest you research the doctor and mesh options thoroughly. I believe you'll need the surgery before it becomes an emergency (no option of no surgery hence) and ensure that you give yourself time to heal - 3 months of being careful no matter what anyone says - this will ensure the hernia does not come back.

I've heard nothing but positive stories so you should be ok.

I'm doing this privately and seen 4 consultants for advice. Mine is tiny so I've been told to wait but will need surgery at some point. Dreading it!
And oh! I have a huge fibroid too.

Hi @JobChangeSoonPlease - I am going private. I do trust the surgeon - his practice actually specialises in doing hernia repair without mesh if at all possible, but having seen my CT scans he does believe I will need a small amount of mesh otherwise there is a high chance of it recurring. He talked a lot about the mesh - including doing the surgery a certain way as easier with mesh, how it wouldn’t be against organs and how that affects risk etc and would only use it with my consent. I’ve decided to go with if he thinks I need it once he is in to do it.

Mine isn’t too huge atm ( I also have a small umbilical one) but he recommends surgery now as the bigger it gets the more difficult it becomes ( particularly with my previous surgeries).

On the fibroid - having had mine removed has been generally really positive. Again if you go private do shop around for that too - a lot of surgeons wanted to do a full hysterectomy but for various reasons I decided on a myomectomy which I’m very happy I did ( not so happy about the hernia!)

Its tricky as I’m a single mum with no family help ( possibly why I got the hernia after the last op as no doubt did too much too soon!).

I was in a similar situation a couple of months ago. I had my second c section at the end of last year and developed a hernia as a result. I decided to go for the surgery but had similar last minute jitters about potential complications and started to wonder if it was really worth the risk. The hernia was painless and had shrunk quite a bit between initial consultation and surgery. I went for the surgery anyway and was lucky - it turned out the surgeon was able to fix it without mesh, I was out of hospital on the same day and I've had a straightforward recovery. It is a hard decision to make though - it feels like a bit of a vanity surgery but there are medical risks involved with not doing it too. Have you spoken with your surgeon about it to help weigh your options?

Thanks @MissHoney85 - yes I spoke with the surgeon. Mine is quite large and I think getting bigger. It itself is painless but the bowel
is protruding but a bigger problem is I broke my lower back when younger and the lack of core is making my back hurt even more. The surgeon was very clear with me it isn’t in any way cosmetic surgery.

Even so I do sort of feel it feels like a vanity surgery as well! As I have to admit I hate the huge sticky out stomach I now have.

I do have a friend who had hers repaired post c section and pregnancy - she also had a lot of skin removed. She says she has never regretted it even though she had a complicated recovery and pointed out it ain’t just vanity it also means you have no core strength.

@Discoverysnakes - apologies I haven't checked this thread for a while. Do you mind telling me who your surgeon is? I have been looking for a no mesh option but I've been told mine is tricky due to past surgeries and scar tissue making it a higher risk of recurrence.

Wish you good luck when you decide to proceed. It seems like you trust your surgeon which is most important.

@JobChangeSoonPlease - I have PMd you ( but think under a name change!)

@Discoverysnakes - thank you, I will check my inbox

Sorry, i know this is an old threadbut I have stumbled on this as someone urgently looking for advice re getting an incisional hernia operation done.Many fo the same concerns as above. OP @Discoverysnakes / others can anyone update or provide some more details?! thank you!

@desikated - my hernia is on hold as I've advised it's too small and not worth the risk. So I'm going to wait and see.

However I consulted with 5 surgeons and all of them recommended a mesh to prevent recurrence. What advice are you looking for?