Can hernia’s be avoided?
I have read that a lot of people develope hernia’s after this type of
surgery, and that it seems to cause great complications in most of
the cases. Is there anything that a person can do do avoid this?
Any insight would be appreciated, Shelly
June 23rd, 2004 at 7:18 pm
Hi Shelly,
As the reining Hernia Qween, I’ve had 13 repairs, I
think I can answer your question. Some families have a
tendency towards connective tissue problems as mine
does…my brother has had several inguinal hernias
repaired and my mom had 4 abdominal hernia repairs.
But if you visit hernia.com you will quickly learn
that in any abdominal surgery, there is a 50%
possiblility of an incisionial hernia. You will also
learn that once it’s repaired surgically, there is a
50% possibility of a re-occurance of a hernia.
That said, postoperativly it is a good idea to not
lift any thing over 5 lbs for at least 8 weeks. Most
likely your doctors will tell you over 10 lbs. for 6
weeks but I would say from experience ( I have busted
through in the past as early and one month post op)to
be extra careful. Make sure your magnesium level
stays in good range because I have been told that
Magnesium helps strenthen connective tissue. In fact
taking all your vitamins and calcium is extremely
important as we all know.
I hope this has been of some help but I will say that
it’s a crap shoot as to whether anyone gets a hernia
or not.
June 25th, 2004 at 4:15 am
Shelly,
I don’t know alot about hernias, but I made a big boo-boo when after 4 weeks
(4 weeks after surgery) I got too industrious and started cleaning my closet
out, lifting heavy hangers of clothes and such and later that night I coughed
and heard a ‘rip’ i also felt it and it hurt something awful. My doctor said
there was a pretty good chance I would develop a hernia from this, but it was
too soon to tell. My advice would be to be very careful with lifting.
Someone wrote back and said they were told by their doc not to lift anything
heavier than 3 diet coke cans. Just try and be careful and really pamper
yourself!
Kelley