[Wez27]

Thank you for the reply and your attention to detail. You are right to be a little confused. I am still processing everything after today.

To clarify. I had an umbilical hernia repaired a year and a half ago. This was done laparoscopically with dynamesh, I believe. Shortly after, I started experiencing intense abdominal pains, which turned out to be gallstones. 4.5 months ago I had a cholecystectomy (same surgeons), who opened up the same incision that was used for the hernia operation.

2 weeks ago I noticed a bulge slightly above this incision, which I was hoping was a seroma. But today the surgeon confirmed – via a physical exam – it was a hernia (he could feel the hole in my abdominal wall). This is a little above where the original hernia occurred, so I am assuming you are correct in judging it to be an incisional hernia. I am not sure whether the mesh has failed, or whether the new hernia has occurred just outside it. He suggested open surgery with a bigger mesh to cover the area, although I was a little disoriented from the unfortunate news.

May I ask? Do you suggest in my case that this would not be an optimal solution? Since I am in Europe and not in my home country, things are a little difficult for me to negotiate and I am unsure where to turn except the surgeons that operated on me previously.

• This reply was modified 2 months, 1 week ago by  Wez27.

[Wez27]

Thank you for replying. I saw my surgeon today who did a physical examination. Unfortunately, he confirmed it was a recurrent hernia, somewhat above the original site. He recommended open mesh surgery, using a larger mesh.

I am feeling very low right now, as I took a lot of care to not overdo it physically since my first repair. Obviously I have a genetic defect which makes me more susceptible to hernias. My worry now is how to prevent a further recurrence in the future since the chances of recurrence are higher each time (and as I said, I wasn’t straining myself beyond normal daily activities). I am male, 42, healthy BMI, non-smoker, no other health issues.

I won’t have the surgery immediately since the hernia is symptomless and I can’t take time off work. I plan to do it in May/June next year. I am worn out with surgery since this will be my fourth in 3 years.

[Wez27]

Thank you for replying. Had a consultation with my surgeon yesterday. The surgical site looks good; he believes I have got a case of gastritis as a result of the surgery. Have been prescribed PPIs and spasmolytics. Hope this is indeed the case and that my symptoms clear in two weeks…