After Kidney Cancer

desnbub1
desnbub1 Member Posts: 7
in Kidney Cancer #1
I am new to this but want to say in advance God bless you all!
I am 35 years old and I had my left kidney removed June of 2010 from RCC. I had to have a open nephrectomy. My incision did not heal on the inside so I have a 14 inch hernia.. Has anyone else had these complications? I have seen 4 surgeons and they all have said they can not fix the problem. There is nothing there to mesh together. The other problems I am having are kidey infections and kidney stones. Since the removal of my left kidny I have had 3 kidney infections and kidney stones twice.. Has anyone else had these complications?

Comments

  • donna_lee
    donna_lee Member Posts: 1,045 Member
    #2
    Part of an answer
    I can't deal with your stones or infections, as that is more for a nephrologist or urologist to respond to.
    But repairing with mesh does work. My husband had an umbilical hernia repaired with mesh on the second try and it has held for years.

    My daughter had had to have both kids with C-sections, and the layers of muscle separated after healing. My daughter in law also had tearing with her C-sections and had a mini tummy lift and lipo suction because no amount of weight loss or exercise would lift the flap over her belly.
    When the surgeons say there is nothing to mesh together, I question it. The muscles are still there, but they have retracted or pulled back to one side like a broken rubber band. Beneath the skin, there are four layers of abdominal muscles going different directions -horizonally, vertically, and at diagonals. After an incision, each layer would be pulled back together and mended with mesh. There is pain, discomfort, swelling and no lifting or strenuous activity for the designated recovery. It would not be an easy surgery.
    You may need to find a different group of surgeons or check with a teaching hospital.

    Good luck on your search for answers, and I'm glad you got the kidney cancer out of there.
    Happy New Year!
    donna_lee
  • desnbub1
    desnbub1 Member Posts: 7
    #3
    donna_lee said:

    Part of an answer
    I can't deal with your stones or infections, as that is more for a nephrologist or urologist to respond to.
    But repairing with mesh does work. My husband had an umbilical hernia repaired with mesh on the second try and it has held for years.

    My daughter had had to have both kids with C-sections, and the layers of muscle separated after healing. My daughter in law also had tearing with her C-sections and had a mini tummy lift and lipo suction because no amount of weight loss or exercise would lift the flap over her belly.
    When the surgeons say there is nothing to mesh together, I question it. The muscles are still there, but they have retracted or pulled back to one side like a broken rubber band. Beneath the skin, there are four layers of abdominal muscles going different directions -horizonally, vertically, and at diagonals. After an incision, each layer would be pulled back together and mended with mesh. There is pain, discomfort, swelling and no lifting or strenuous activity for the designated recovery. It would not be an easy surgery.
    You may need to find a different group of surgeons or check with a teaching hospital.

    Good luck on your search for answers, and I'm glad you got the kidney cancer out of there.
    Happy New Year!
    donna_lee

    Fixing hernia
    I have seen 3 different surgeons, one specializing in that type of repair and so far they all have the same answer.. My incision was over just over 12 inches. none of the layers on the inside healed together. I have a huge bulge due to it. I don't completely understand all of it either. They had to remove my 12th rib? The last surgeon said it would have to be completly reconstructed and he wouldnt do it. They said the chances of it healing correctly are slim because I didn't heal properly the first time. . I just didnt know if any one else experienced issues like these. I really appreciate your help, and thank you for your congrats! Happy New Year to you and your family too!
    Des
  • desnbub1
    desnbub1 Member Posts: 7
    #4
    donna_lee said:

    Part of an answer
    I can't deal with your stones or infections, as that is more for a nephrologist or urologist to respond to.
    But repairing with mesh does work. My husband had an umbilical hernia repaired with mesh on the second try and it has held for years.

    My daughter had had to have both kids with C-sections, and the layers of muscle separated after healing. My daughter in law also had tearing with her C-sections and had a mini tummy lift and lipo suction because no amount of weight loss or exercise would lift the flap over her belly.
    When the surgeons say there is nothing to mesh together, I question it. The muscles are still there, but they have retracted or pulled back to one side like a broken rubber band. Beneath the skin, there are four layers of abdominal muscles going different directions -horizonally, vertically, and at diagonals. After an incision, each layer would be pulled back together and mended with mesh. There is pain, discomfort, swelling and no lifting or strenuous activity for the designated recovery. It would not be an easy surgery.
    You may need to find a different group of surgeons or check with a teaching hospital.

    Good luck on your search for answers, and I'm glad you got the kidney cancer out of there.
    Happy New Year!
    donna_lee

    Fixing hernia
    I have seen 3 different surgeons, one specializing in that type of repair and so far they all have the same answer.. My incision was over just over 12 inches. none of the layers on the inside healed together. I have a huge bulge due to it. I don't completely understand all of it either. They had to remove my 12th rib? The last surgeon said it would have to be completly reconstructed and he wouldnt do it. They said the chances of it healing correctly are slim because I didn't heal properly the first time. . I just didnt know if any one else experienced issues like these. I really appreciate your help, and thank you for your congrats! Happy New Year to you and your family too!
    Des
  • lbinmsp
    lbinmsp Member Posts: 266
    #5
    Hello
    and welcome. First, I cannot speak to the kidney infections or stone issue but I have had healing issues. Mine occurred many years ago - I had gallbladder removal - with an 8 inch incision (that's how they were done then). Within days of having the sutures removed, the entire incision opened up. SCARY! Back to the hospital, more surgery, but my body simply would not heal. It turned out that I was allergic to the suture materials used so after yet another surgery, the incision was left open to basically heal from the inside out. Took six months (and twice weekly visits to the doctor) but I did eventually heal. My incision wasn't and still isn't pretty.

    When I had radical/open nephrectomy I made sure my surgeon knew of my suture issues and this time I avoided healing issues.
  • desnbub1
    desnbub1 Member Posts: 7
    #6
    lbinmsp said:

    Hello
    and welcome. First, I cannot speak to the kidney infections or stone issue but I have had healing issues. Mine occurred many years ago - I had gallbladder removal - with an 8 inch incision (that's how they were done then). Within days of having the sutures removed, the entire incision opened up. SCARY! Back to the hospital, more surgery, but my body simply would not heal. It turned out that I was allergic to the suture materials used so after yet another surgery, the incision was left open to basically heal from the inside out. Took six months (and twice weekly visits to the doctor) but I did eventually heal. My incision wasn't and still isn't pretty.

    When I had radical/open nephrectomy I made sure my surgeon knew of my suture issues and this time I avoided healing issues.

    thank you
    Hello! Thank you for responding.. It is mind easing to talk to others that have been through what I have.. Ouch!! I dont think mine was that bad.. The outside layer healed fine with no problems but that is the only layer that did.. The Dr. said my abdominal cavity, the muscles or the nerves did not go back together. So my intestines and bowel are buldging on my left side.. It has been 18 months since my surgery and I still have alot of pain.. I have to wear a abdominal brace to hold things closer to where they belong and to stop the skin from stretching.. I take meds to regulate my bowels due to being binded.. I am a 35 year old woman who looks pregant on the side.. Not plesent.. All of this seems so exsausting on one hand and then you have to stop and thank the good lord for giving you another day.. I will ask my Dr. about the suture issue and see what he thinks..

    *If anyone have experienced stones and infection in their remaining kidney please let me know*

    Thanks again!

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