OVCA gone, now Incisional Hernia?

Question

I had TAH/BSO for Mucinous Adenocarcinoma Stage 1A on April 2 - I am 7 weeks post op and when I was released by the visiting nursing group (my incision came open when they removed the staples - so the visiting nurses were coming to evaluate the wound and dressings) anyway the RN who released me checked me over pretty good and I was asked if I had noticed the golf ball size lump above my belly button.  I hadn't noticed it, it doesn't stick out, but I had noticed that of I stand too long, lift something too heavy etc that it hurts, followed by a burning sensation. I thought it was all due to the surgery.  Guess not, she thinks I have an incisional hernia.  I see my surgeon Thursday for further evaluation.

Has anyone ever had this?  I thought after the hysterectomy, removal of the malignant tumor, I was well on the road to recovery.  What am I in for now?

Gail

iona1 · Answer

Since my mother was diagnosed with OVCA, she has also had a problem with her hernia. While she was having Chemo, the doctors did not want to do surgery unless it was absolutely necessary. In the beginning the pain was hard, but overtime she learned how to catch it before it became bad. As time passed, we saw the hernia getting bigger and really sticking out. In April, she had the debulking surgery along with a hysterectemy and they put mesh inside and she has been pain free ever since.

crecco · Answer

Try not to worry, it is my understanding that this is fairly common.
                   Chris

gma718 · Answer

I also had an abdominal hysterectomy last May 2007...A week after the surgery I had difficulty walking and standing straight up and I was getting sicker and sicker..so the Dr did a ct-scan which showed that I had ruptured my intestines from severe vomitting and through the staples I had a protruding area...I also had many other complications but they had to do an emergency surgery to repair it...I know the mesh Laney is talking about because I had that mesh under my original incision but from the constant nausea and dry heaves is what caused this to happen...but in your case they will most likely repair it as an outpatient surgery.....Good Luck and please keep us posted....Gia :)

Laney8463 · Answer

Hi Gail,
As a nurse in the recovery room, I see incisional hernias all the time. The hernia develops from a weakness in the wall of the muscle that was cut for your original surgery. Alot of times if it is bothersome or large enough, they will take you back to surgery, may place some mesh against the muscle to reinforce it and it can be day surgery. Most can do it laparoscopically, so less recovery time in the hospital. My husband developed 3 hernias along his incision lines after a liver transplant and the last thing he wanted to do was go back into the hospital for more surgery.
Good luck at the doctors tomorrow. I will pray for good news.
Take Care
Laney