Hernia
 

Has anyone ever had a hernia? How important is it to get checked out asap? Is it cause for an ER visit?

Depends,
There are a number of different types of hernias. The most common is an inguinal hernia, where the bowel pushes through the abdominal wall near the groin.

Can you push the hernia back in? If you can, do that and make an appointment with your primary care doctor in the next week or so.

What can be bad is if the intestine that pushes through and has it's blood supply cut off. Dead bowel inside your body is not good- you can get infections easily and quickly.

Bottom line: You probably don't need to go to the ER.

Call your doctor, you can even page them if you want. Being able to push the hernia back in is good- I know some patients who live with hernias for quite some time that way (months or years). Most people tend to get them repaired -- it's not a bad surgery. Remember, when picking a surgeon, make sure you get someone who does a lot of your kind of surgery. Practice makes perfect with motor skills.
-M
Keck School of Medicine, class of 2009

Phyllis, I know you recently had surgery, and hernias are definitely common after surgery. Both my parents have had hernias the past two years. My mother's was a result of a previous surgery when she had an ovary removed.

I would definitely get it checked out ASAP, but probably not ER worthy.

And definitely get a good surgeon. My mom's surgery to correct her hernia wasn't so great, and she thought she'd have to go back under. She's been cleared as okay within the past few weeks, but she still has pain (likely from the continued healing, even though this was done months ago). Her scar is kinda nasty, I do wish the surgeon would've done a better job b/c I know it really bothers her (appearance-wise). But then again, she had me by c-section and then the surgery to remove an ovary and THEN surgery to correct the hernia, so there was a lot of scar issue in that general area.

Hope everything works out for you!

You're just trying to embarrass her re: the whole FUPA/lipo thing by bringing up the surgery, which you could have done in a PM, instead of broadcasting it over the interweb.

Re: Hernia
 

I would go to the doctor tomorrow if I were you. Feel better, Phyllis.

Doesn't bother me.

Anyways, I'm not sure what it is but my paramedic friend said that's most likey what it is. I reallllly don't wana have surgery ever again so this pretty much sucks.

Ummmm... is this the best you've got? She openly talked about her surgery on GC. I didn't mention what kind of surgery she had, and it was relevant to the conversation.

Thanks for reminding me that John needs to add you to the list of people he's banning.

Re: Hernia
 

I had hernia surgery when I was 4. I was an outtie and became an innie. That's all I know or remember, but I echo everyone when I say get it checked out. Better to be safe than sorry.

Phyllis I don't think I can ever read your posts again without thinking about your hernia.

I am yucked out.

-Rudey
--It's ok, I only have 4 testicles.

My fellow M1 (XOMichelle) is right. There are lots of different kinds and there are things that can develop into complications and need to be checked out.

One thing is that you may not have to do the surgery right away. There was a recent study from the University of Nebraska Medical Center (where I'm going to med school) along with the Creighton Medical Center and a number of other hospitals across the country that was published in the Journal of the AMA about 2 or 3 months ago that said that there wasn't that much harm in taking a wait and see approach to hernias that weren't causing particular discomfort. The study was done on men, so it's hard to necessarily say that the same should be done for you, but given your recent surgery and obvious disdain for going under, it might be something to bring up with your doctor. Let him or her known that you aren't thrilled about the idea of more surgery.

I'm glad you read this, I was hoping to get your opinion.

Hey!!! What's going on! How's med school going? How's Nebraska?
I totally read that article you cited (er, looked at the charts and read the abstract). Good to see you on Greekchat.
yea M1's - It's crazy how much you learn and how much there is left to know, isn't it?

-M
ps- got a specialty scoped out yet?

Hey, I'll send you a PM later - might be next week. I have a test on Friday (endocrine physiology with a little reproductive histo thrown in...), but then it's spring break. I'm actually headed out to CA on Saturday to see a HS buddy of mine.