Hernia after Surgery

same thing here
I had surgery in early 2007. I have the same hernia but on the left side. It sticks out about 3 or 4 inchesand is about the size of a soccerball. It is causing me pain at the bottom of my ribs, it is accually pushing my ribs out. Very painful. Also I have diverticilitous, since the surgery I have sharp pains from the bottom of the hernia all the way across my lower abdoman.

Lisa7610 said:

Hard Swelling
I am a 46 year old female. I had only a small portion of my right kidney removed with a grapefruit size cancer in March of 2009. The healthy kidney that was left behind, for no reason, died within the same year. I have had the hard swelled bulge ever since the surgery. It's very noticeable even with loose clothing . . . I look pregnant on my right side only. My surgeon says that it is not a hernia--that it is caused by the muscle not growing back together. Deep inside my body where the kidney is (not the scare or muscle) is always tender and sore. I probably won't be good at checking back at this site, so anyone is welcome to write to me at my e-mail address: LisaRenee7810@gmail.com. I'm anxious to write with others who have this same problem as well as anyone who thinks they can feel their kidneys!! Although my doctor doesn't agree, I am sure that I have been feeling my right kidney while it was dying--and even now that it is dead . . . and now I have recently been feeling the same things in the left kidney =/

Hernias
I'm new to kidney cancer, but unfortunately, I'm not new to hernias. I got a hernia after my appendectomy, and I got a hernia after the repair of that first hernia. Hernias don't always happen after surgery, which is why they don't always put in the mesh. Weight, previous meds, straining all contribute to whether or not a hernia will develop. An abdominal hernia can be officially diagnosed by a ct scan. Surgical repair is the only way it can be fixed. I'm just beginning to read about laproscopic hernia repair, but mine was an open repair. As is usual with open abdominal surgery, the recovery is a long, hard, painful one. And, as with me, there's no guarantee the hernia won't come back. Mine also sticks out my side, making me look like I'm pregnant on the side. It's very firm, nice hollow sound when you thump on it, painful if I'm on my feet for too long. I'm putting off surgery as long as I can since it's such a hard one. If laproscopic repair is an option for you, that cuts recovery time significantly.

Jamie1.3cm said:

hernia surgery
Now my lovely urologist and my difficult colorectal surgeon are debating whether or not to try to do my nephrectomy and my hernia repair at the same time. On the one hand, one recovery, and let's be practical, one deductible. On the other hand, my c-r surgeon is very difficult to work with. And I'm not sure I want to make the whole process more stressful by combining the two surgeries. Any advice?

This has to be your decision
Jamie1.3cm,

As an RCC survivor I have tried to give support and comfort to those diagnosed with RCC and facing surgery. However unless someone has experienced the unique dilemma you are facing I believe that you and you alone must make this decision with your doctors and that it would be inapropriate for myself or others unless we faced a similar situation to give you advise. Best wishes on whatever decision YOU choose.

Icemantoo

sylvan75 said:

Hernia After Surgery
Have you spoken to your Dr. about this? I was told if it starts to be painful or gets harder to seek attention right away. Mine is about the same size as yours and if anything I get a numb feeling on my side. I am scheduled to have it taken care of on 1/10. They will open the wound and insert a piece of mesh to correct the problem.

Good Luck

Hernia After Surgery
Hi Sylvan,

I Had a right partial neph. on September of 2010. Still going through the healling process. I have also noticed a bulge on my right side. My surg. did not mention any solution to removing the bulge. I will need to go to my Primary Care Doctor and get his opinion.

Did you get the surgery you mentioned on 1/10/2011? If so, how did it go?
Any further info. on the need for operation to correct the bulge would be appreciated.

Johnnyb said:

Hernia they seem to be common after having kidney removed
I have to see a Surgeon again. My Kidney was removed in August of 2010 so far so good but now I have a Hernia were they made the incision to remove the kidney in the belly button area. Looks like a grape fruit sticking out. As anyone else had this happen.

Side Hernia

Yep, me too.  I wear a brace (binder) but not always. It really helps with the discomfort.

Jamie1.3cm said:

Hernias
I'm new to kidney cancer, but unfortunately, I'm not new to hernias. I got a hernia after my appendectomy, and I got a hernia after the repair of that first hernia. Hernias don't always happen after surgery, which is why they don't always put in the mesh. Weight, previous meds, straining all contribute to whether or not a hernia will develop. An abdominal hernia can be officially diagnosed by a ct scan. Surgical repair is the only way it can be fixed. I'm just beginning to read about laproscopic hernia repair, but mine was an open repair. As is usual with open abdominal surgery, the recovery is a long, hard, painful one. And, as with me, there's no guarantee the hernia won't come back. Mine also sticks out my side, making me look like I'm pregnant on the side. It's very firm, nice hollow sound when you thump on it, painful if I'm on my feet for too long. I'm putting off surgery as long as I can since it's such a hard one. If laproscopic repair is an option for you, that cuts recovery time significantly.

Side Hernia

I have the same thing. A fist size hernia on my left side that can be uncomfortable at times.  My doctor gave me a brace (a kind of corset) that helps a great deal.  If you do get one make sure you get fitted correctly as the braces or binders range from 4 inches to 10 inches wide.