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I have a hernia at the old ostomy site that was discovered during a recent c-section.  I have no pain or issues but my surgeon says I should get it repaired anyway.  He wants to use mesh for the repair and everything I am reading sounds like there are awful complications associated.  Has anyone had a hernia repair with mesh?  What has your experience/recovery/long term situation been?

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   Hi TANGO9, 

        My J-pouch surgery was a one-step one so I never had an ostomy or a take-down operation. However, I had an incisional hernia at the colectomy surgery site for more than 8 years. At first it was small and didn't bother me at all. Then it got vertically larger and bumpier. It also looked cosmetically worse in time. I still wouldn't mind it if it weren't my GI. He said it might cause complications in the future such as an intestinal twist or knot if not surgically fixed. So I had the operation last September with success. The surgeon said he used a high quality mesh. He did explain the various types of meshes before the operation but I can't remember the details at the moment, I am sorry

Mine was laparoscopically done. I was discharged two days later. The surgeon said I did not have any adhesions from the colectomy surgery I had 16 years ago so he didn't have any difficulty patching me up. I have had no problem in the operation site since the surgery and it looks better , although I now have two small additional scars resulting from the laparoscopic intervention.

The only thing I regret is that I wish I had stayed and rested at home longer. I started working 6 days after the surgery; I teach at university and the classes started a week after my operation. It was not the best time. Besides, I had to move my stuff (books, binders, PC etc.) to another office at the time, which was, I know, a big NO. One of my colleagues is a nurse here. She said I might get adhesions because of that in the future...and that scares me a lot. I am saying this because I hope you do not do the same mistake.

I hope this helps,

Stay well

I had hernia repair at my ileostomy site in November. It was an open repair with mesh. they used polypropylene and it was an onlay repair. it was the safest repair and on top of muscle so wont get into trouble with intestines. I was in hospital overnight and missed a week of work. I am 5 months since the surgery and only get slight minimal pulling in that area on occasion. no pain though.

it was very small, only popped out if I coughed hard, a little larger than a marble. I could have waited since it wasn't causing me any trouble, but hernias tend to get worse over time and I am on my second jpouch so didn't want to risk troubles from a hernia

Last edited by Pouchomarx

Hi Tango,

I have had quite a few mesh repairs for hernias...they did my first one as outside-in surgery but that didn't take...then the did open surgery...Still, no-go.

Finally, I had mesh repair...ended up having all sorts of mesh repairs including a really cute one around my stoma (they made a doughnut-shape out of the mesh and placed it around the stoma opening), plus more than I can count or remember...All on the right side of my abdomen up and down the incision line or next to my old stoma sites...

So far, so good...the oldest are about 7 yrs old, the most recent 3yrs...They were all done laparoscopically and I was kept between 2-4days post-op depending on how intense the surgery was...

I would recommend it as a good option...but ultimately, it is your decision.

Sharon

Anyone who had the mesh and feeling fine with it, was there a bit of an adjustment curve? I had L shaped mesh placed across my incisions almost 4 weeks ago for hernias and I do not have any pain unless I’m sitting. My stomach folds across my belly button (also had DR repair, she said it’s the skin kind of settling since the muscles are now in) and my stomach just feels so full- it’s hard to explain but very uncomfortable. Hoping it’s a normal part of recovery that will settle 😩

I've has quite a few mesh repairs for falling pouches and repeat hernias that could not be repaired any other way...most are absolutely pain-free..the pain I sometimes have is/was the muscle pulling in the opposite direction...so of like a strained ligament...it doesn't last.

Good luck, be patient and allow it time to heal.

Sharon

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