May 25, 2012
Topics A-Z Hernia Can I ignore lumbar hernias below my ribs?
Can I ignore lumbar hernias below my ribs? |
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Dear Ask The Doctor: I had gastric bypass surgery in 1994 resulting in a very long incision scar. I developed hernias along the scar so I had surgery that gave me another long incision next to old scar in order to put mesh in. That was a couple of years ago. This last February, I went into the hospital for a stragulated hernia that had attached intestine to mesh. The surgeon said he removed old netting, replaced it and sewed the stomach muscles that had been cut in the 1994 surgery back together so it wouldn't happen again. To do that, he cut the muscles at my sides. Now I am getting two bulges just below my ribs on both sides that are about 3 inches by 2 inches. I can't find much information about lumbar hernias. Can I ignore these hernias? More surgeries seem to result in more hernias. Dear William: A lumbar hernia can develop the same complications as any other abdominal wall hernia. These complications include strangulation, incarceration and bowel obstruction. As such, it is always best to have them surgical repaired. I understand your aprehension about undergoing furhter surgical procedures. You can speak with your surgeon about a device called an Abdominal Truss which is somtimes used to alleviate symptoms associated with a hernia in persons who are not fit to undergo surgical repair. |
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| Last Updated ( Tuesday, 14 September 2010 ) |
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