You or a loved one underwent abdominal surgery, and you’re worried about a protruding bulge that appears out of nowhere. If so, you may be dealing with an incisional hernia, a hernia that develops when abdominal tissue or a part of an internal organ protrudes through your abdominal wall. You may feel confused and frightened.
Fortunately, this expert-revised article on the incisional hernia symptoms will aim to shed light on this condition. You’ll learn about the common (and less known) incisional hernia symptoms, what a hernia surgery scar is, and what to expect after abdominal surgery. By the end of this article, you’ll find the answer to “what is an incisional hernia” and its most common symptoms.
Of course, consulting a healthcare specialist is crucial, especially if you notice a suspicious bulge that causes discomfort. We recommend checking out hernia surgeons in Palm Beach County. The patient reviews and testimonials say it all.
So what is an incisional hernia? What are the possible complications associated with this “bulge”? Find out below.
What is an Incisional Hernia?
To understand the incisional hernia symptoms and the possible complications associated with the “bulge,” it’s essential to understand this condition. After getting abdominal surgery, you may experience an “incisional hernia.” Typically, patients notice a bulge due to one (or more than one) abdominal muscle weakness. This condition occurs as a natural reaction to a surgical incision.
As a result, muscle weakness causes the opening of the layers in the muscle. These muscle layers protect and support the abdominal organs. Due to the weakness, the opening may cause abdominal organs or abdominal lining to protrude under your skin. Because of this, after abdominal surgery, patients tend to have a hernia. This hernia appears as a “bulge” underneath your skin, and due to its nature, it can be tender to the touch and excruciating.
What Causes Incisional Hernia Symptoms?
Now that you understand “what is an incisional hernia?”, let’s discuss the causes and risk factors.
Usually, the incisional hernia may develop due to unhealed muscles. Because of this, as you’re performing your everyday physical activities and moving your muscles, a gap can open up.
You may develop a hernia or a “bulge” when the incision is still in the healing phase. In most cases, patients develop a hernia surgery scar around three to six months following abdominal surgery. However, months and even years can pass in some cases after abdominal surgery.
With time, structures underneath can escape via the muscle gap. Eventually, they will begin to “poke through” this opening, and you’ll be able to feel it under your skin. Organ portions can move through this hole in more complex and rare cases.
The bulge can range from tiny to large, depending on the size of the incision and how well the muscles are healing. Moreover, the hernia size may vary depending on how long you have had it.
If you have had more than one abdominal surgery in the past, you may be at greater risk of incisional hernia symptoms. Malnutrition, immunosuppression, diabetes, gaining weight, anemia, and old age can also put you at risk of incisional hernia symptoms. Additionally, facts reveal that men are more likely to experience an incisional hernia than women.
Incisional Hernia Symptoms to Look Out For
After abdominal surgery, you may experience some of the following incisional hernia symptoms:
- Burning, gurgling, and aching sensations
- A bulge close to an older surgical incision
- Discomfort or sharp pain when lifting, straining, or performing physical activity (this pain improves when you rest)
Usually, incisional hernias appear along vertical surgical incisions. If you experience some or all of the mentioned incisional hernia symptoms, consult a healthcare professional immediately.
What’s a Strangulated Incisional Hernia?
After abdominal surgery, you may experience incisional hernia symptoms. In some cases, you can also face something referred to as “strangulated incisional hernia.”
An incarcerated hernia is a hernia that remains stuck in the “out” position. If this happens to you, you may need to reach out and get immediate medical help. The reason is that an incarcerated hernia can become a strangulated hernia, in which stool, food, and blood cannot flow through your intestines. In many cases, a strangulated hernia may lead to death or necrosis of the tissue bulging through your hernia. If left untreated, a strangulated hernia may be life-threatening.
How do you know you have a strangulated hernia? First of all, you will likely experience tremendous pain (but in some cases, this condition isn’t painful). Moreover, the bulging tissue may be purple or deep red in color. Other side effects such as abdominal swelling, diarrhea, vomiting, and nausea may also be present.
Overall, a strangulated hernia is a severe condition that requires immediate medical help and surgical intervention. If you don’t seek help, you may risk damage to the tissues and intestines.
Incisional Hernia Treatment: What to Expect
Incisional hernia symptoms can be unbearable, and it’s best to seek out medical help. Here is what you can expect from incisional hernia treatment.
Firstly, you may require surgical repair to prevent the incisional hernia from increasing in size. Moreover, surgical repair will prevent strangulation or incarceration.
A nonsurgical option is a truss. A truss refers to a garment similar to a girdle that you wear to apply pressure to the incisional hernia. However, a truss will treat incisional hernia symptoms and not the hernia itself. Surgical repair is the only treatment that can cure it.
You may require surgery if you have an incisional hernia that is:
- Abnormally large
- Growing in size
- Is aesthetically unappealing
- Causing you pain or discomfort
If your health is in danger, your doctor will recommend surgery. Sometimes, you can decide whether you want to undergo surgery.
What Can I Expect from Hernia Repair Surgery?
Yes, you may have a hernia surgery scar after the procedure. But, besides that, here are some other things you may expect.
Firstly, since an incisional hernia repair surgery requires general anesthesia, you won’t feel any pain or discomfort. The surgeon may perform an open repair or a laparoscopy, and this will depend on whether you have excess skin or how large your hernia is. Often, the surgeons use the laparoscopic method with tiny incisions. A colon-rectal specialist or a general surgeon will perform the procedure.
During hernia repair surgery, the expert will cut both sides of the incisional hernia. Then, they will insert a laparoscope into one cut and add surgical instruments to the other. After the professional isolates the hernia sac, it is returned to its correct position. In some cases, the muscle defect is tiny so that it can be sutured closed. This way, the hernia won’t return. However, patients with larger defects might need additional help. In these scenarios, the surgeon closes the hernia and covers the hole with a mesh graft. Thanks to the permanent mesh, the hernia will not reoccur.
Steps to Recovery
In most cases, patients who underwent hernia repair surgery can return to everyday life within three weeks post-surgery. However, you may have a hernia surgery scar, and your abdomen will feel tender to the touch.
During recovery, protect the incision during physical activity. Be careful when sneezing, coughing, vomiting, or straining yourself during bowel movements.
Moreover, refrain from lifting heavy objects.
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Hernia symptoms can be challenging. If you want to improve your life quality, we’re here to help. Schedule your first appointment today and maximize your health.
