Hi everyone, this is my first post here.
i had emergency surgery a week ago as I went to hospital with excruciating pain caused by an incarcerated incisional hernia (lower abdomen). This had come about as I’d had a total hysterectomy (laparoscopic) done 11 months ago after a uterine cancer diagnosis. I had no idea I had a hernia developing - even though I’d sometimes have abdominal pains that would come and go everyone believed they were IBS pains as I;d had occasional episodes of IBS before my hysterectomy. But apparently my lowest keyhole port (which got infected at the time) had weakened my abdominal wall.
Thankfully they got me into theatre before my trapped bowel loops strangulated, they put the small bowel back, and repaired my abdominal wall with mesh. They actually discovered I had 2 hernias close together, even though only one was obvious on the CT scan (must have hidden the other one). It was open surgery so I have a surgical wound about 6 inches wide.
My question here is: has anyone had similar surgery and what was your recovery like? They have removed my dressing now, but the repair wound is still very sore and stings sometimes (I suppose it’s early days yet and much more healing needs to happen). I also had a wound drain, so that’s now been removed and there is a second, small incision wound from that. I’ve been told 6-8 weeks for recovery, and even afterwards I need to be sensible for some time! I most certainly will be, as I don’t want this to recur!
thank you for reading - I’m just anxious as it’s been so unfortunate after my cancer diagnosis last year and hysterectomy to have this happen now. Trying not to feel sorry for myself, and I do feel lucky that they managed to repair the hernia without having to remove any seriously damaged bowel.