Umbilical hernia repair recovery mesh

[Blodwyn831]

Hi everyone. I had an operation to repair an umbilical hernia last weds using mesh and am looking for some reassurance- there only seem to be horror stories out there and I'm feeling so panicked. Healing seemed to be going fine until yesterday 5 days post op I started getting some different severe sharp stabbing pains and they continue today. I'm now convinced I'm going to have mesh problems for life and feel like I shouldn't have had the op and feel so guilty for ruining things for my beautiful 22mo ds who I can no longer cuddle properly due to pain let alone pick up. I know it's early days but why the new pain rather than gradual improvement? Please tell me this is all part of the healing process. I'm catastrophising. Got a follow up apt with the surgeon next week but until then I'm going crazy. Has anyone had similar with a good outcome? 🙏

I’ve not had hernia surgery but I’m a surgical nurse on a colorectal ward. Often after a few days you get pain due to the body’s healing process, however if the pain is really severe I’d seek medical advice. If you are otherwise well it should rectify itself as you continue to heal. Serious complications manifest in a lot more than just pain (usually involve vomiting, fevers etc).

Thank you for your reply @Whatsthepoint1234 I've just called the consultant to get his advice so hopefully he'll get back to me today and I really hope you're right. I feel fine otherwise and the general area feels like it's improving but these sharp pains that feel like something is stabbing me inside are very disconcerting. They're unpredictable and making it hard to move about - harder than just after the op even! Hope I've not made a big mistake having the op rather than live with the hernia.

Good luck OP and for what it’s worth I’m sure the surgery was a good decision. I’ve seen enough strangulated hernias in my lifetime to know I’d choose a simple repair any day!

Hello, I had this surgery a little while ago as a result of pregnancy. I can remember the pains you're referring too, and I can reassure you that in my case they gradually went away. I was very tender in that area for quite a while, and very nervous of doing anything which would cause those sharp pains (e.g. moving suddenly, twisting, etc.) but over time, they greatly reduced, and I don't get them any more now. I'd say they'd completely gone by about 4 months post-op. Hope that helps :)

Oh, and also, I'd only seen the horror stories about mesh so was really worried before going for the surgery - but (touch wood), I don't notice anything different in the operation site any more.

Thank you @JPixie so good to hear that it's normal and recovery will hopefully happen 😊

No problem @Blodwyn831 - if you have any more questions about recovery then feel free to ask away :)

@Blodwyn831 hi I just wanted to reply to you as I had open surgery to repair a small umbilical hernia with mesh. Honestly it’s only the past week or two I’ve felt back to normal…. And I had this surgery under GA over two months ago. I was getting random pains after the surgery and it was VERY painful immediately after, I couldn’t walk properly for maybe 2-3 weeks. I couldn’t turn in bed for a good 6/7 weeks. I had daily pain and discomfort but now I’m absolutely great. No pain or discomfort. I’m exercising again after not being able to do anything. I was so so so apprehensive and against mesh because of horror stories but went with it. My bloating and swelling is much better, it took maybe 2 months to completely disappear.

i too went back to surgeon as I could feel a lump and probably still can but they said this is just my abdominal separation. I too have a major ab separation from pregnancy … how are you feeling now????

Thanks @Itsonlymehere really glad to hear you're feeling better now! I hope it's the same for me. I've got an appointment with my consultant next week to see what's going on as I've still got the pain at 6 weeks and unfortunately it feels very similar to the original hernia to be so I fear it's come back. Will see what he says. Do you have young kids? I've found it practically impossible to rest as much as I know I should. I regret not waiting until my son was older before having the op.

yup with young ones it is impossible to rest for two months in regret not doing this as I think I have another hernia as this lump doesn’t feel normal although it’s not causing pain.

please keep me updated and let me know what your consultant suggests…. I hope all is well though maybe it’s just the healing process as it is a really uncomfortable one! I didn’t realise..! Did you have open or keyhole??

also, I did have random pains and the pains and discomfort changed during the hole healing process….it’s still early days for you xx

@Itsonlymehere oh no! Is the lump in the same place or somewhere new? The surgeons and nhs website definitely underplay the recovery for this.

@Blodwyn831 its a different lump!!!!! They are saying it’s nothing but its something. It’s not normal!
couldn’t agree more…this surgery needs strict recovery for many months!!!! I was told 2 months but it was so much worse than they had informed me

Little update- I saw the consultant today. He said all seems OK - no new hernia and no failure of the mesh etc. He think the pain could be the mesh and sutures pulling where they are attached to the muscle. I've noticed lots of improvement over the past few days and seem to be able to do a bit more lifting without causing pain so hopefully healing is going in the right direction.

@Blodwyn831 thats great to hear. When I saw the surgeon again, they said the same. But I’m not convinced. Still want to see someone else. It does get progressively better over a course of time and suddenly after two months I really turned a corner. Which hospital are you under?

@Blodwyn831 hello there…I just wanted to make contact and see how your doing now? I had an ultrasound and there’s a defect …. :-(

Hi @Itsonlymehere . Really sorry to hear that. What is the defect? Hope it's not going to need another surgery. OK here. Still getting some niggles but I'm less worried about it since seeing the surgeon plus I saw a great Physiotherapist who has given me some strengthening exercises so I'm feeling hopeful about improving my core strength.