Hernia Forum - Epigastric hernia treatment

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Q: Epigastric hernia treatment

asked by: Pharaz on June 20th, 2008

New User

Hi everyone, I have recently been infromed that I have an epigastric hernia. I have a very active lifestyle, playing sports/going to the gym probably 5 times a week. The doctor told me that I was probably going to need surgery if I was going to keep this up. She referred me to a surgeon who told me that my hernia was very small and reducable. The surgeon told me that I should continue with my everyday life as normal, and come back if it started to hurt or got bigger.

Between the time that I found out that I had a hernia and went to the surgeon, I refrained from sports to be on the safe side. I was told to continue with my normal lifestyle just last week, and have since done 3 relatively intense runs to see how it feels. During the day I barely notice it, apart from being aware that it is there. After my runs, it bulged more significantly and was a little bit sore, but unless I was touching it, I did not even notice it. Also, the increased bulge would go away after a half hour or so, if I pushed it back down.

Even though I can run without any real limitation, I still feel like I am restricted in how I preform during my activites, since I do not want to make it worse. The doctors seem to think I can leave it for now, but if I am going to need surgery anyways ( which is what I have been lead to believe) wouldn't it make sense to do it while it is small and non-threatening?

If it wasn't for all the stuff that I have read on these forums, about complications and reoccurence, I would elect to have surgery right away and just take care of it.

I am wondering if anyone has been in a similar situation, and would like to share what they did.

Is surgery inevitable?

Has anyone on the forums actually had a hernia repaired at the Shouldice Hospital in Ontario? If so, how did it go?

Are the statistics that Shouldice Hospital lists on their website valid? (<1% reoccurence, 0.5% complication rate) I am a little sketchy, since it is a private hospital which may just be in it for the money.

Is there a mesh that has proven to be the most reliable?

What kind of scarring can I expect if I get surgery? I am a little tentative about the scarring, since my hernia is right above my belly button.

Any comments would be appreciated, thanks in advance.

Replies(4)

cm53

replied on July 16th, 2008

New User

epigastric hernia treatment

Hi Pharaz,
What responses or advice have you received?
I am visiting my GP here in the UK on Tues 22nd July and want to convince him that I need it sorting out. And, assuming I then get to see a specialist at the hospital. the treatment/surgery will be minor so that I too can continue with my active lifestyle, including attend the gym.
I look forward to hearing from you.
CM in the UK

Pharaz

replied on July 16th, 2008

New User

Well, after I went to the surgeon (whom told me that I did not need surgery), I proceeded to do lots and lots of research on hernias and decided that I wanted to opt for surgery. I don't feel comfortable waiting for it to get worse/become an emergency and I feel restricted when I play sports. Also, from what I have read, it doesn't repair itself- it just keeps getting worse.

I know what you mean with trying to convince the doctors that you need surgery. They seem to think that if it's not bad, it can be left alone (in my experiences). The way I figured it, surgery seems to be inevitable, especially for someone who is very active. What is the point of letting it get worse? It would suck if the doctor kept telling you it was alright and one day it became an emergency.

I didn't really have a problem trying to convince my surgeon to let me have the surgery, since I skipped the whole public health care thing. After reading through these forums I realized that there was a bunch of issues with the mesh repairs and I have decided to go to the Shouldice Hospital. Their posted success rate is very impressive (<1% reoccurence, 0.5% complication rate) and I will not have to risk complications that may or may not occur with the mesh.

If I was you, I would tell your doctor that you feel uncomfortable with the hernia the way it is. Tell him/her that you would like to get back to the way you were before the hernia. Let them know that you don't want to sit around and wait for an emergency, always being aware of its presence. It has become kind of a psycological thing with me, I am constantly making sure it has not gotten worse and reducing it (fortunately I don't have my hernia in my groinal region, ha).

Anyway, I hope that I was helpful in some way. Good luck.

jessabelle50

replied on March 8th, 2009

New User

Epigastric Hernia

I had my first operation at the age of 21 on an epigastric hernia in the UK and never got informed with what to do or what it was! the second time i went i got taught what i should and shouldn't do etc aswell as how to massage it back in! Mine was 4cm long, and had to have it operated on again! BUT that was August and about to see another surgeon about having the operation AGAIN!! third time!!! I am 27 and should NOT be going through this again! I avoided lifting and doing anything excessive to avoid it coming back! they told me, the first time i had the op, the surgeon had not put in the mesh and that is what i needed! they obviously failed to put this in the second time, as the reoccrence rate is 1%! My advice is MAKE SURE THEY USE THE MESH!!!

mine is very painful now and bigger than before!

tommykeal

replied on May 27th, 2009

New User

hey i have the same issue i have an epigastric hernia smaller then .5 cm and its "to small to operate on" my doctor says but i mean i can focus or push my self at all when i work out its like all i can think about is is this hurting me and being at the level of fitness i am (6 foot 150 pound 6% body fat) going from doing cardio for an hour every day and weight routiens every day to running a mile or two every day just isn't cutting it i need a solution asap im really really intrested in what you did man i know this is a little late on the reply but let me know how you handled this

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