Post RPLND Hernia???????

[indiana9]

Just when I am patting myself on the back about how good I feel and how quickly I am recovering from chemo followed by an RPLND, I have a concern. This weekend was beautiful in Indiana and I celebrated by doing a 40 mile bike ride on Sa and a 25 mile ride on Su. I finished up Sunday afternoon by pulling weeds in the flower beds and pruning trees in my yard and sawing a couple of the larger branches. I could feel my abdominals contracting while pruning, but there was no pain and thought all was well. Later yesterday evening I noticed a new kind of ache directly over the part of my RPLND scar that takes a U-turn around my belly button. I thought maybe I had just overdone my weekend activities and a good night's sleep would take care of it. The ache is still there today and I notice it whenever I leave my desk to walk around the office or the plant. I am concerned that I have overdone my activities and may have caused a hernia. Has anyone else out there had any experience with a hernia following an RPLND? I have made an appointment to see my doctor tomorrow afternoon, and am hoping that I am just being overly sensitive.
Brian

[dadmo]

Brian:
Post RPLND hernias aren’t that unusual. I have to congratulate you on your recovery but go easy. If it is a hernia they may want to repair it.

[Fish]

Brian:

Dadmo's correct hernias are not unusual following surgery, and the loop around the umbilicus is a prime site for one to occur. I had one develop in that location after my RPLND in 1988. Typically with a hernia, you can feel less resistance to pressure if you gently press on the area, or you may notice a bulge (when standing or straining) as the abdominal contents press outward. Mine started out small, but I kept putting off getting it fixed, (there's no convenient time for surgery). By the time I finally addressed the issue in 2004, the bulge was the size of a large grapefruit. I underwent a major repair; the surgeon re-opened the entire RPLND incision and placed in a big piece of gortex mesh, not fun. So you would be wise to get checked and if you did tear the incision, it's best to get it fixed while it's small.

It's also possible that you just pulled on the internal stitches. My understanding is that some of the suture material can take up to 6 months to completely dissolve.

But better to check it out.

Good luck,
Jim

[indiana9]

Saw Primary Care doctor today and after a lot of poking, prodding, coughing, etc., I was pronounced hernia free and simply have a strained abdominal muscle. Aerobic activities including cycling are all OK, but am back on a 10 lb. weight restriction for the next 30 days. I wonder what types of abdominal exercises can be done to actually strengthen muscles, etc. without straining them? Doing nothing for 30 days would seem to be counter productive to strengthening abs and getting abdominal strength back to normal.

[Scott]

I'm very glad to hear you don't have a hernia and can keep on riding. I'd give yourself a few weeks to heal before breaking the weight restriction.

[dadmo]

Brian:
Just concentrate on streaching those muscles. The 30 days will be over before you know it. Just look one is done already.

[Don]

30 days is just a blur..... You'll be back to normal activity before you know it.. As you can see , the harder you push the longer it will take because you will have to constantly stop to heel... Pace yourself!!! Take Care

[Fish]

I'm glad to hear you don't have a hernia. But please give your body the time it needs to repair that incision line. I got my hernia because I was too active too soon. You'll be able to start strengthening those muscles in the near future, but for now, give your body what it needs -- time to heal.