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On 4/19/20 I Had Emergency Surgery Which Saved My Life.
Question: on 4/19/20 I had emergency surgery which saved my life. My colon was not attached to anything when I was born and it has moved around finally creating a strangulation with part of the colon and intestines. It had turned gangrenous.
They had to perform exploratory surgery because nothing showed up on all the tests and they didn't know what they were dealing with. They removed part of my intestine and moved things back in place.
A hernia has developed on the lower part of my stomach. It is a cone shape and has spread on both sides. I have a little pain with it. My questions is do I need to have this removed immediately or can I wait while? They also want to put a mesh in which frightens me as I have heard about all of the problems with a mesh. With the scars from the surgery I already look like Frankenstein and I know this hernia could rupture or turn gangrenous but I'm really frightened with this surgeon. I mean, why did this happen? I had a lot of problems with this one healing . And now I have to go through it again?
Please tell me what to do.
They had to perform exploratory surgery because nothing showed up on all the tests and they didn't know what they were dealing with. They removed part of my intestine and moved things back in place.
A hernia has developed on the lower part of my stomach. It is a cone shape and has spread on both sides. I have a little pain with it. My questions is do I need to have this removed immediately or can I wait while? They also want to put a mesh in which frightens me as I have heard about all of the problems with a mesh. With the scars from the surgery I already look like Frankenstein and I know this hernia could rupture or turn gangrenous but I'm really frightened with this surgeon. I mean, why did this happen? I had a lot of problems with this one healing . And now I have to go through it again?
Please tell me what to do.
Brief Answer:
It is to the benefit of the patient to have the surgery for the hernia repair done when it starts to cause pain
Detailed Answer:
Hello and welcome to "Ask a Doctor" service,
I carefully read your query and understand your fears of having another surgery or having the mesh for the hernia repair.
On the other hand, whenever a hernia starts to be painful, this is an indication that the bowel is getting stuck in between the hernia walls and risks to get strangulated. This is why the doctor recommends you to have the surgery. I am sorry for the scars that are already on your tummy due to the previous surgery.
Unfortunately, surgery for hernia repair is necessary to prevent another episode of bowel gangrene. As for the need to use the mesh or not, there are specific indications for this and in certain cases, if the mesh is not used it may result in a recurrence of the hernia.
There are many patients that have used the mesh and do not have any problem with it. If the side effects are higher than the benefits of using the mesh, the doctor would not have recommended it.
To conclude:
- Probably the extensive surgery the first time may have contributed to the weakening of the abdominal wall and muscles and may have favored the hernia development. Hernias are also common with age due to the weakening of the abdominal muscles.
- Unfortunately, when an abdominal hernia starts to be painful, it is safer to do hernia repair surgery to prevent complications such as bowel necrosis and gangrene
- The mesh is highly recommended in some patients (depending on the size of the hernia and location) and helps prevent recurrences. It is also well tolerated by the majority of the patients
I hope this answers your query and is helpful to you. I remain at your disposal in case further medical assistance is needed.
I wish you quick recovery and good health,
Regards,
Dr. Antoneta Zotaj,
It is to the benefit of the patient to have the surgery for the hernia repair done when it starts to cause pain
Detailed Answer:
Hello and welcome to "Ask a Doctor" service,
I carefully read your query and understand your fears of having another surgery or having the mesh for the hernia repair.
On the other hand, whenever a hernia starts to be painful, this is an indication that the bowel is getting stuck in between the hernia walls and risks to get strangulated. This is why the doctor recommends you to have the surgery. I am sorry for the scars that are already on your tummy due to the previous surgery.
Unfortunately, surgery for hernia repair is necessary to prevent another episode of bowel gangrene. As for the need to use the mesh or not, there are specific indications for this and in certain cases, if the mesh is not used it may result in a recurrence of the hernia.
There are many patients that have used the mesh and do not have any problem with it. If the side effects are higher than the benefits of using the mesh, the doctor would not have recommended it.
To conclude:
- Probably the extensive surgery the first time may have contributed to the weakening of the abdominal wall and muscles and may have favored the hernia development. Hernias are also common with age due to the weakening of the abdominal muscles.
- Unfortunately, when an abdominal hernia starts to be painful, it is safer to do hernia repair surgery to prevent complications such as bowel necrosis and gangrene
- The mesh is highly recommended in some patients (depending on the size of the hernia and location) and helps prevent recurrences. It is also well tolerated by the majority of the patients
I hope this answers your query and is helpful to you. I remain at your disposal in case further medical assistance is needed.
I wish you quick recovery and good health,
Regards,
Dr. Antoneta Zotaj,
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Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Raju A.T
Answered by
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