Abdominal Wall Reconstruction- experiences?

[Settledownnow]

I am going to need an abdominal wall reconstruction and ventral hernia repair. The surgeon said I may have to be in the hospital a few days before surgery to inflate my belly to stretch the skin and give him more room to operate. According to him, I would be inflated like the Michelin Man. Has anyone had this done? Right now, my belly looks like a watermelon with the skin pulled tight. He is unsure about component separation and mesh versus other repair/reconstruction techniques until he sees my most current CT scan from today.

I'm really anxious about this surgery. I would appreciate hearing more about experiences. Did any need to go in for up to a week before to have the abdomen inflated to stretch the skin? What type of pre-op prep did you have? What did you do about vit/min pre-op? Protein while in the hospital? I'm told recovery will be 6-8 weeks. He said I will have a good deal of abdominal pressure post-op and will feel like I cannot breathe, prepare for acid reflux to increase, and for possible urinary incontinence until the abdomen loosens up (may take up to 1 year). Another risk is nicking a bowel while removing adhesions and if that happens he would close me up and give IV antibiotics for a few days while inpatient then going back in to operate again later in the week. Of course, developing an infection post-op would be another potential complication.

Freaking out...

 

[Larra]

I'm surprised you don't have extra skin from all the weight loss. is it that bad of a hernia?

 

[Settledownnow]

I'm surprised you don't have extra skin from all the weight loss. is it that bad of a hernia?

It is very large, and I do not really have much extra skin on my abdomen. Now, I could easily donate skin from my arms...

 

[Charris]

@Larra I don't have any loose skin either. I had abdominalplasty in 2001. my stomach has been super flat until the car accident and the huge hernia. at least 2x a week someone ask about my pregnancy. lol today a probationer asked about my BABY. lol

@Settledownnow how can he know recovery time if he has no idea about the procedure you need? I saw Dr. K last Monday. I haven't had a Ct or anything but he knows I need a component separation with mesh from feeling and seeing how big my baby is. lol He just told me that i will be in hospital a few days afterwards and I have to stay in California for 1 or 2 weeks. He even gave me a small piece piece of the mesh he is going to put in there to show to my children. he demonstrated with the papers that covers the exam table how he would fix my cousins tiny incisional hernia in comparison to my huge ventral hernia. no mesh or separation for her.

I'm going to have to ask him about all the stuff your Dr mentioned. I have some idea because of the hernia repair i had in 01. That dr DID not fix it appropriately them i think thats why it reopened. it was not done extensively like Dr K is going to do and it knocked me on my ass for 5 or 6 months. when The muscles contracted it was excruciating my husband wanted to take me to the hospital but I wouldn't go . i didnt get full feeling back for well after a year. I say that so that you know yes it's very very painful but worth it. 25 pounds was removed from my abdomen. I missed my hands warmer lol. I used to put my hands under my stomach 2 keep toasty...

let me know if you find out anything else. good luck lady!

 

[Settledownnow]

@Charris the surgeon I saw had my CT scan from January, examined me, and had a letter from Dr. K with diagnosis and surgery recommendations. He is just wanted a new CT for updated information. The recovery time of 6-8 weeks and some of the other risks were the same as discussed with Dr. K. Nothing new here except the blowing me up part a few days before surgery (if that is done). That is why I wondered if anyone else had that done.

 

[Charris]

@Charris the surgeon I saw had my CT scan from January, examined me, and had a letter from Dr. K with diagnosis and surgery recommendations. He is just wanted a new CT for updated information. The recovery time of 6-8 weeks and some of the other risks were the same as discussed with Dr. K. Nothing new here except the blowing me up part a few days before surgery (if that is done). That is why I wondered if anyone else had that done.

I think @DSRIGGS was supposed to have one with Dr. K. but I think went somewhere closer to home. I wonder if he heard of that.

 

[Munchkin]

That sounds awful!

 

[Jbandmmomma]

Got a photo of it? I'll try and upload mine here in a few minutes.

I had abdominal wall reconstruction in August, 2016. There was no pre-surgery skin inflation. Is the surgeon you met with a hernia or abdominal wall reconstruction specialist? If not, I would get to one of those. I went with a surgeon who specializes in hernia repair and trained in AWR. My ventral hernia was huge. I seriously looked like I had a perfect 10 month gestation fetus in there!

I was in the hospital for 4 days after the surgery. I needed this much time. The pain was the worst I've ever had, honestly. I had to wear a compression binder for 12 weeks. Religiously. He was very very serious about that. The compression keeps the mesh in close proximity to the tissues that need to adhere to it.

I am pretty open about all this stuff - ask questions and i'll try to answer if I can.

 

[Charris]

Got a photo of it? I'll try and upload mine here in a few minutes.

I had abdominal wall reconstruction in August, 2016. There was no pre-surgery skin inflation. Is the surgeon you met with a hernia or abdominal wall reconstruction specialist? If not, I would get to one of those. I went with a surgeon who specializes in hernia repair and trained in AWR. My ventral hernia was huge. I seriously looked like I had a perfect 10 month gestation fetus in there!

I was in the hospital for 4 days after the surgery. I needed this much time. The pain was the worst I've ever had, honestly. I had to wear a compression binder for 12 weeks. Religiously. He was very very serious about that. The compression keeps the mesh in close proximity to the tissues that need to adhere to it.

I am pretty open about all this stuff - ask questions and i'll try to answer if I can.

I had one in 2001 but I only looked 5 months pregnant then now I look like I'm almost due. the 1st surgery was painful he didn't do component separation so I can imagine how terrible this one is going to be. 1st surgery was supposed to be outpatient but I stayed 2 days. but we knew before hand I was staying he just did it that way for insurance purpose

 

[Settledownnow]

Got a photo of it? I'll try and upload mine here in a few minutes.

Is the surgeon you met with a hernia or abdominal wall reconstruction specialist? If not, I would get to one of those.

I am pretty open about all this stuff - ask questions and i'll try to answer if I can.

Yes, he specializes in complex hernia repair and AWR. How did you feel post-op? Did you have any of the complications mentioned (increased acid reflux, feeling like you can't breathe, urinary incontinence)? My stomach is the size of a basketball and by evening more like a watermelon. How long did it take until you felt normal and could do some of your normal activities?

 

[Jbandmmomma]

 

[Settledownnow]

Yes, that has my name all over it! Sorry, I cannot share photos of my baby!

 

[Jbandmmomma]

Yes, he specializes in complex hernia repair and AWR. How did you feel post-op? Did you have any of the complications mentioned (increased acid reflux, feeling like you can't breathe, urinary incontinence)? My stomach is the size of a basketball and by evening more like a watermelon. How long did it take until you felt normal and could do some of your normal activities?

I felt like hell for about two weeks. Seriously. When I woke up, it hurt to inhale. Moving was horrific. My advice? If they offer a pain pump, take it. You get better pain control and more total per hour than if you wait on nurse to administer doses. I was stubborn and didn't take one until day 2. Not smart.

I don't have any of the complications you list. I was back in the office 3 weeks post surgery. I am an "armchair scientist" and I work from home 3 days/week, but I was still back working 3 weeks out. I didn't feel completely normal for a while. You will have lifting restrictions. Follow them. I still feel twinges sometimes if I carry something the wrong way or lift wrong.

Is your hernia mostly above or below the navel?

 

[Charris]

I felt like hell for about two weeks. Seriously. When I woke up, it hurt to inhale. Moving was horrific. My advice? If they offer a pain pump, take it. You get better pain control and more total per hour than if you wait on nurse to administer doses. I was stubborn and didn't take one until day 2. Not smart.

I don't have any of the complications you list. I was back in the office 3 weeks post surgery. I am an "armchair scientist" and I work from home 3 days/week, but I was still back working 3 weeks out. I didn't feel completely normal for a while. You will have lifting restrictions. Follow them. I still feel twinges sometimes if I carry something the wrong way or lift wrong.

Is your hernia mostly above or below the navel?

armchair scientists? omg back after 3 weeks YOU'RE THE REAL MVP

 

[Settledownnow]

I felt like hell for about two weeks. Seriously. When I woke up, it hurt to inhale. Moving was horrific. My advice? If they offer a pain pump, take it. You get better pain control and more total per hour than if you wait on nurse to administer doses. I was stubborn and didn't take one until day 2. Not smart.

I don't have any of the complications you list. I was back in the office 3 weeks post surgery. I am an "armchair scientist" and I work from home 3 days/week, but I was still back working 3 weeks out. I didn't feel completely normal for a while. You will have lifting restrictions. Follow them. I still feel twinges sometimes if I carry something the wrong way or lift wrong.

Is your hernia mostly above or below the navel?

Oh, yes, I will take a pain pump. No one has to twist my arm. I work a good deal from home also. Good information -- thanks.