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[Jewels]

Had Tummy Tuck in April '06 along with my 1st of 3 hernia repair surgeries. At the time of this surgery my Dr told me when it came time to cut out & move my belly button..it was 9" in my body from all the skin & hernia protruding out.. Dr told me he removed almost 13lbs of skin & tissue.. all I know is I felt like I'd been ran over by a very LARGE truck for the 1st week afterwards

[HopenToBeThin]

Thanks for the post.  Those before pics could be of me right now.  Gives me hope.  I am so dreading the pain and healing of this.

I am having such a time trying to find pants that are not too tight in the waist (because of the dang hernia) and at the same time are not so big in the butt and thighs that they look just as bad on me as the larger size I already had.  I HATE shopping!!!  I have never been a fan, but it is worse now than ever.

[Jewels]

i had twins 13yrs ago & pregnancy totally destroyed my abs, was 6ft around @ 7months pregnant..that's what started the hernia problems. Then when i had my WLS that's where my incision was so it made it even more weak.. had my last & 3rd & final repair Feb '09, 2 mesh patches & I told him use duct tape if needed LOL, Dr said he can't do anymore.. the muscle that the patches are sewn to have been worked on so much that it's like they pull apart.. so now the bulge is back again, alot of it is the scar tissue, the patches & of course the hernia. Guess I just gotta live with it, just get's very annoying when people make reference to when is my baby due because i have a perfectly tight round pooch @ the top of my belly..GRRR people I'm not pregnant!!

[Indykitty]

I don't have any kids, but now I wonder if I have a hernia because my stomach is shaped like that (only bigger), and like Paula I have trouble finding pants that fit right in all areas. 

At my wedding, I had a cousin ask me when the baby was due, too - so I SO feel it.  I said, "No, just fat... no babies..."  I have never had good luck exercising my middle. 

[Jewels]

Indy,
my dr always would have me lie on the examine table & lift my shoulders slightly & my feet & the same time.. the hernia would bulge in a cone like shape & he should me how you could feel the separation of the muscles & the middle would be squishy intestines.. mine was separated almost 6"so the big bulge you see in the pic was basically my guts, not like a groin hernia with the little protruding bulge. Here is a link that may help you figure yours out www.emedicinehealth.com/hernia/article_em.htm. I was told I had a very large umbilical hernia as a baby, not sure if that was a tip to the future..lol!. But the Dr basically told me from having such big pregnancy's my abs never fused  back together correctly then my bypass surgery I was cut open in that exact spot from my rib cage down to belly button. My WLS was originally scheduled for laparoscopic but soon as they got inside found tumor on my liver & opened me up.. 3hr surgery turned to 6hr surgery ending in 11 days in ICU

[Indykitty]

Wow Jewels.  You've had a time.  Thanks for the information.  I have a bunch of liver tumors called adenomas, but having surgery has at least made me eligible if I ever need a transplant - the cutoff was 38 for BMI.  I'm glad you are better now, even if they haven't closed it for good.  For one of my cousins, they put a mesh in his belly to hold his intestines in.  He's gained a lot of weight and it looks pretty bad.  I think they are going to have to replace it.  He had necrotic tissue that made a big hole. Amazing what can go wrong with us and us keep kicking, though, isn't it.  Hang in there.    

[HopenToBeThin]

My belly issues come from muliple surgeries.  I have had 2 C-sections and an open histo.  I had a complication with the histo and had a fissure develop at the top part of the incision.  This had to be packed for about 5 weeks to heal from the inside (totally gross process).  About a year afterwards I noticed the knot to the side of the incision about  the same place the fissure was.  It never really bothered me much before because it was cushioned by so much belly fat.  Now it sticks out and is annoying.  Thankfully, it has not been a health issue so far, but it will have to be repaired even if I do not get plastics done.  I have sadly come to the conclusion I will have to have them done to every be satisified with my stomach.  Still have to loose more and settle for about 6 months after the loss.  Hoping ins will cover.  Dr seems to think the hernia will help my cause.  I am thinking around summer or early fall of 2011.

[Indykitty]

Well, I'm calling my surgeon tomorrow because _ Warning TMI _ as I was going to the bathroom tonight trying to plant some flowers as we say... I put my hand to my stomach and felt something bulge out as I strained.  When I pushed on it, gently mind you, it made a squishy sound.  It is just to the upper right of the belly button area and now I'm a little freaked out.  LOL.  Don't mind being a freak, but don't care for being freaked, you know? I've had a history of trouble planting the flowers and too many episodes of strenuous coughing and abdominal bloating and so forth... geesh.  Jewels I'm glad you posted this or I would not have given this much thought.  See you ladies later. Oh, and my insurance is just a glorified health savings account.  I can't wait to find out how much just the testing is going to cost cause our deductible is $5000.  Fun, huh? 

[Jewels]

sounds like hernia for sure to me.. yes you better call your Dr..good luck & keep us posted

[Indykitty]

I see the surgeon next Tuesday. She's only in the office on Tuesdays. The nurse said this is easy to fix and common, but to go to ER if I get in pain.  Nothing like a contradiction!  Don't worry, but you may need to go to the ER.   

[YourWLBuddy]

I apologize but I didn't really want to reply to this thread but I do not know how to make a new thread,..  I wanted to show a pre and post TT to support Patrina.  I truly believe the WLS and wight loss are not the end of the journey. I think the third phase is the reconstructive phase., I started mine this summer with the TT because I got insurance coverage but do not have enough skin/breast material for coverage of the upper body.
debbie

[Maddie]

Debbie you had wonderful results, you look fantastic.

[T2Nashville]

Debbie - great result! One of the best I've seen! You should be very proud of this.

[YourWLBuddy]

Thanks so much for the positive words. I have to admit that I did have a minor complication in that I "sprung a leak" between the drains but it is healing nicely. Next to the RNY this is the best decision I've ever made. Best wishes on your journey!
Debbie

[jobster71]

Debbie , wow that picture gives me hope!


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