Hernia site not healing

[folivier]

Was hoping I never had to post this. But after 7 months I'm at my wits end. Back in October I had an umbilical hernia surgery using mesh. The incision area in my navel is still not fully healed and still oozing a bit. I've had multiple staph infections with the latest couple rounds a resistant staph. Still on antibiotics. My surgeon is also a wound care specialist and says while this length of time is unusual it is not unheard of. I've been seeing him weekly (no charges for these visits). I have good insurance and not concerned about costs.
He has removed multiple granulomas (where scar tissue grows up out of the incision and causes more oozing and bleeding) and am on my 2nd set of stitches to try and close up the areas.
We've talked with him about the mesh causing these problems and he doesn't think so or is not yet ready to admit the mesh is the problem. I've read about the problems so please no horror stories.
I don't have any pain but am very self conscious about this.
I don't have diabetes and any other cuts, etc. still heal normally.
Any thoughts or anyone had a similar problem?

 

[Aerides]

I had a similar issue years ago. After a year I went back for another surgery to have it closed. I got very tired of cleaning and packing it every day. Are you measuring it? Mine didn't reduce over about a 3 month period at the end, so that's when we opted for surgery.

 

[folivier]

I originally had 3 openings, 2 have closed so only 1 left. See surgeon again this week. I need him to do another culture since I've been on antibiotics for so long.

 

[Telly]

I'm not a Doctor, nor have I ever played one in any production (but I did have an old used Dr. kit as a kid).

..... I've read about the problems so please no horror stories.........

Okay... It seems to me that 7 mos. is a long long time to have an open wound that was an incision! And your chances of picking up infections is great because of it. And MRSA is lurking. My MIL went into a hospital for a hip replacement, picked up MRSA there, ended up in a nursing care facility, immobile. In a quarantine setting, as they could not remove/kill MRSA. She eventually died in that setting. She was a wonderful person.

Is it time to say to yourself "This CAN'T go on!", and schedule with someone else, somewhere else, to get a second opinion? I mean, really, how long do you bump along hoping it will get better, when it obviously is not? Next week, next week, next...

Since you seem to be healing OK otherwise, that sure tells me as a troubleshooter that there is something else going on there, whether your present surgeon wants to finally admit that or not. "Experts" are not always right. And "Experts" can disagree with one another as to course of action.

 

[Red Badger]

I had all three done at the same time. Sore as hell, but no oozing, weeping, or other post surgical issues (but sore as hell for about a month).

What Telly said - get another surgeon to check what is going on. I think you might be getting rope-a-doped.

 

[Mr._Graybeard]

I had double inguinal hernia surgery in 2006. The surgeon was skeptical about laparoscopic surgery in my case -- I'm husky and my hernias were large (doc called them "manly"). He was concerned that complications would crop up with laparoscopy, particularly with the mesh not staying in place. He performed the surgery through an open incision, hip point to hip point.

I keep seeing those paid attorney's spokespersons on late-night TV trolling for clients who have had complications after hernia surgery. Could your body be having an immune response to the mesh?

I agree with the other respondents that you need another opinion, stat! Above and beyond the open wound, I would hate to be on antibiotics for an extended period.

 

[JoeWras]

So sorry to hear of this. I agree it is time to seek another opinion.

I don't have a mesh. I just had "dissolvable" stitches. My body did not like the stitches and it took 8 months, with 5 months of weeping, for a small 4cm incision to heal. I think some of our bodies just really have a hard time with foreign stuff put inside us.

 

[Silver]

Do you have the specifics on what mesh was used and what it is made of? The surgeon's office should be able to tell you the manufacturer and date of production, and there may be a serial number specific to your implant.

The body's immune system rejects foreign tissue, and different people respond differently to implants of any kind. Getting a second opinion is probably smart, but being able to also provide specific data about your implant might help. Perhaps even a brief round of anti-rejection meds might help your body be more friendly toward the implant.

I'm not a physician, but I am a registered nurse with a Master's degree in nursing, and have seen enough to know that although we 'think" we know a lot about the human body, we really don't.

 

[Bir48die]

Sorry to hear of your frustrating issue. Wish I would have read this after I ate breakfast.

 

[ivinsfan]

My only comment is round after round of antibiotics opens the door to C-diff and potential problems with antibiotic resistant issues in the future.

In your shoes I'd probably start saying enough is enough and ask for a different game plan that isn't merely "waiting" for improvement.

 

[Teacher Terry]

I would get a second opinion.

 

[harley]

Unlike Telly, I have played doctor many times. And I say "get another opinion." This situation is neither healthy nor acceptable.

 

[skipro33]

It wasn't from a hernia, but I had a wound (pyogenic granuloma) that wouldn't heal. I asked the doc to cauterize it. That fixed it without any further adieu. Maybe ask your doc about that type of treatment.

 

[Moemg]

I would also vote for second opinion . It may be the suture they used to anchor the mesh.