So I found out recently that I have a hernia. I was having some serious pain from around my pelvic pain towards my hip and lower back following my surgery. Initially, the pain was sharp and unbearable especially when I was not on pain meds. I went back to the surgeon and he felt it was a pinched nerve and so referred me.The doctor I went to who specialises in sports medicine, give me some pain meds and some stretches exercise including icing and told me within a week I would feel better. I did not. In fact, once I am off the meds, I could hardly stand. He referred me to a physiotherapist. While doing the ultrasound, ice etc, it felt good but I could not say I was getting better. I eventually went to see another doctor who sent for an x-ray, it was normal. I went on vacation after stocking up on some pain meds. After a while the pain improved, in that it moving from hurting to a irritating discomfort in my pelvic and back and it is like it needs deep tissue massage to get to the a certain spot to ease it. It becomes painful with exercise. I visited a doctor at home and in pressing my abdomen I screamed at an extreme pain in my left pelvic area. He said I had an inflamation and give me some meds. He is a naturopathic doctor so his medication is chinese herbs. Although I believe them, I know they tend to work slow and a lot to take (3 tablets 3 times per day, 4 tablets 2 times per day).
Well I returned to Jamaica and went for a check up with my surgeon. I needed to know about the inflamation, I had taken my last lupron shot and needed to know when to expect my period and just hear him says that I am progressing fine. He then let me know that given the fibroid had somewhat push my uterus downwards he had to do some pulling and I have a hernia, some fatty tissue that have pushed itself out. He says however that it will get better. I am therefore waiting on my period that he says to expect at the end of the month and once my body start working back as normal, the present discomfort should go away. I have therefore decide to share some information below on incisional hernia.
What Is an Incisional Hernia?
An incisional hernia happens when a weakness in the muscle of the abdomen allows the tissues of the abdomen to protrude through the muscle. The hernia appears as a bulge under the skin, and can be painful or tender to the touch. In the case of an incisional hernia, the weakness in the muscle is caused by the incision made in a prior abdominal surgery. An incisional hernia is typically small enough that only the peritoneum, or the lining of the abdominal cavity, pushes through. In severe cases, portions of organs may move through the hole in the muscle.
Who Is At Risk For an Incisional Hernia?
Incisional hernias are most likely to occur in obese and pregnant patients. A history of multiple abdominal surgeries may increase the risk of an incisional hernia. If a hernia develops in the abdomen and the patient has not had surgery, it is not an incisional hernia.
A patient who gains significant weight after an abdominal surgery, becomes pregnant or participates in activities that increase abdominal pressure like heavy lifting is most at risk for an incisional hernia. The incision is weakest, and most prone to a hernia, while it is still healing. While incisional hernias can develop or enlarge months or years after surgery, they are most likely to happen 3-6 months after surgery.
Diagnosing an Incisional Hernia
Incisional hernias happen after an abdominal surgery and may seem to appear and disappear, which is referred to as a "reducible" hernia. The hernia may not be noticeable unless the patient is involved in an activity that increases abdominal pressure, such as coughing, sneezing, pushing to have a bowel movement, or lifting a heavy object. The visibility of a hernia makes it easily diagnosable, often requiring no testing outside of a physical examination by a physician. The physician may request that you cough or bear down in order to see the hernia while it is "out".
Routine testing can be done to determine what area of the body is pushing through the muscle. If the hernia is large enough to allow more than the peritoneum to bulge through, testing may be required.
HERNIA TREATMENT
It is common to develop a hernia after abdominal or vaginal surgery. Hernias typically result from weakening of the abdominal wall following abdominal surgery. The resultant condition is called an “incisional hernia”, which can commonly occur after abdominal gynecologic surgery. Hernias in the vagina typically result from weakening of the levator complex muscles, which act as the supportive hammock of the pelvic organs. Once this hammock weakens, there is a tendency to develop hernias of the bladder (cystocele), vagina and or the uterus (utero-vaginal prolapse), rectum (rectocele), and finally the small bowel (enterocele). Abdominal hernias are repaired by implanting a sterile surgical mesh to strengthen the weakened abdominal wall. The surgical mesh is made of a strong, sterile, synthetic material which is compatible with the body. As a matter of fact, our bodies typically grow normal tissue into the mesh as time goes by, further strengthening the corrective surgery.
Vaginal hernias should be approached similar to abdominal hernias. A sterile surgical mesh may be utilized to strengthen the weakened tissues to give a long lasting durable repair. There are many different types of “mesh kits” on the market. Rest assure that Dr. Mirhashemi will individualize your treatment and apply the correct technique to your particular case.
