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What Causes Pain Above The Belly Button After A Hernia Repair?

Posted on Thu, 29 May 2014

Question: I submitted a rather spotty question, but I left out that after the colorectal surgery, I had an infection that led to packing for 6 weeks then a hernia that was 8.cm causing repair using mesh. The location of the hernia repair (above the tummy button) causes stress because my bra pushes on it constantly and it feels like it has stress and I have pain underneath - relative pain - nothing like pain in abdomen, rectum. I have what I call a rock that pushes into my insides; my walk is awkward. Unfortunately, after the accident, I was told the pain would go away and then sent to hormone replacement. Nothing remarkable on the MRI regarding my spine, but so many attempts at treatment has me in awful pain and rather hesitant to even go to anyone in the medical profession because they won't listen - those surgeries were invasive. I also had an SI injection which sent my nerves on fire, but I can't get an explanation as to why. Can you offer any suggestions?

Answered by Dr. Sudhir Kumar (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
Medications would help you get better.

Detailed Answer:
Hi,

Thank you for posting your query.

I have noted your symptoms and the details of treatment received so far.

It is unfortunate that doctors have not been able to help with your pain (diagnosis or treatment), moreover, are not willing to listen to you.

Normal MRI of spine is a good news and it rules out all serious causes of pain.

The likely cause of pain could be neuropathic, due to pinched or injured nerves in the surgery.

Recovery may take several weeks. In the meanwhile, you would take medications such as pregabalin, gabapentin or duloxetine, which would relieve the neuropathic pain and make you feel better.

I hope my answer helps. Please get back if you have any follow up queries or if you require any additional information.

Wishing you good health,

Dr Sudhir Kumar MD (Internal Medicine), DM (Neurology) XXXXXXX Consultant Neurologist
Apollo Hospitals, Hyderabad, India
Click on this link to ask me a DIRECT QUERY: http://bit.ly/Dr-Sudhir-kumar
My BLOG: http://bestneurodoctor.blogspot.in

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Yogesh D

Follow up: Dr. Sudhir Kumar (44 hours later)

Afraid the accident was three years ago and I have been suffering since. The colorectal surgeon had no business doing the surgery; never before had I had gastro issues and now, the pain/blockage is extraordinary. Second and third opinion - mesh used in surgery to reconnect colon not ideal but removing it would be risky so I am isolated because the pain causes me to be uncontrollable.
I also have mesh in the anterior wall (bladder) and a repair of the anterior wall which butts up to the area the colorectal surgeon butchered me. There has to be an answer as to why I get backed up and why the pain is so horrendous.

Answered by Dr. Sudhir Kumar (13 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Pain is likely to be neuropathic.

Detailed Answer:
Thank you for getting back with more information.

In addition to the possibility of neuropathic pain due to injury, which I mentioned earlier; there is a possibility of colicky pain due to adhesions.

Adhesions can occur after colo-rectal and abdominal surgeries, which can result in abnormal contractions of the intestinal wall, leading to severe pain.

You can discuss this possibility with the surgeon too.

Best wishes,
Dr Sudhir Kumar MD DM (Neurology)

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Sudhir Kumar (9 minutes later)

A SURGEON WON'T TOUCH ME. Surgery I had was a mistake and a failure; removing adhesions/scar tissue causes more scar tissue.
Severe pain, to say the least. Can you explain why the defecating manography tube caused the same pain that I get when I move in a certain way - walking can start crippling pain internally. Have you heard of mesh being used to connect colon? I was told it isn't used, as a rule, in US.
Believe me when I say the nerves fire so intensely that I cannot control it until I am totally still, hence, inactivity is the only answer to avoid this, which is not a happy answer.

Answered by Dr. Sudhir Kumar (3 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Mesh is not used to connect colon.

Detailed Answer:
Thank you for getting back.

I can understand your discomfort on account of pain.

I agree with you that removal of adhesions/scar tissue (adhesiolysis) could result in more adhesions.

Also, mesh is not used to connect colon. As a junior doctor, I have used it in hernia repairs.

I hope that with pain management, you can get some relief.

Best wishes,
Dr Sudhir Kumar MD DM (Neurology)

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar