Living with extremely large hernia

I'm so shocked but not surprised that the NHS can cause this damaged to someone's body then not try to correct it! I can understand how anyone would be anxious about going under the knife again. I sorry but I would feel so angry and would want something done for you and so it doesn't happen again. Have you thought about getting legal advice? It's neglect and you shouldn't have to suffer with this for the rest of your life. I would look into to this. You need to write down everything that has happened from the start and who you have seen and there advice. I would search on internet for Consultant in your area and look at their experience. Then either email them direct or go to your GP and ask for a referral. You may need some counselling to address your anxiety.

Hi Sharon. I was having breathing problems before but i was told about 4 months ago i had a hernia just above my naval one doctor that seen me that day said they wont do anything with it as it was massive and i just felt like they dont give a damn .So 4 mths down the line and this thing has grown into a massive beach ball that comes from just under my breast and spreads out like i am having a massive baby its just horrendous. Now my breathing is ten times worse with this thing and the pain in my lungs and back are horrendous ,the bloating of my legs and feet and stomach are very painful . I have went from a size 18 to a size 26 and growing .I look so ill and feel so ill all the time i dont want to get dressed anymore because my clothes kill me and i cant wear a bra.My own doctor sent me to see a surgeon so that they could do a ct or mri scan but as soon as he seen me come through the door in a wheelchair being pushed by my son he said i was to ill for them to operate and that the hernia wouldnt do me any harm. I broke down and shouted at him,dont even go there i said my breathing was bad before but at least i had a life and could do my housework and go out with gorgeous clothes on and meet up with my family. He said that operating would be to damaging to my health as he didnt think i would pull through the anethsetic . I also have a bloodclot inside my aorta Sharon and thats a death sentence anyway but they say that could rupture anytime and that there isnt a surgeon out there that would touch it but,surely having this massive hernia over my heart and lungs would benefit my breathing if removed and prolong my life a little longer. I am so depressed like u sweetie and dont know what way to turn.I do have tumors on my lungs as well but i go for regular ct scans for that and my Docor from respiritory feels i would be ok with the operation and has even wrote a letter saying that he sees there are a number of health problems that need to be addressed but that he was happy with the scan from his end saying that the tumors are remaining the same size and that there were no changes to report.What do we do sweetie ? The hernia is now affecting my esophegus and finding it hard to eat and swallow. Only eating 1 meal a day yet getting so massive everywhere. I just cant handle it anymore feel so alone yet i know there are many worse of than myself but,when you have been as independant all your life then something comes along like this and you are trapped in your home like a caged animal. Its not right Sharon is it. I know how you feel when you say people look at you,they do and it hurts.If the doc had sent me to hospital when it was just the size of a small melon it could have been removed easily now i am like you sweetie , I look deformed and feel horrendous Like i have about 4 babies inside me and all this within 4 months and its getting bigger each week. I hope you get yours seen to Sharon and u start to feel good about yourself again. If only we could go private huh. I wish. Take care honey.  x x

I could not believe your picture it was like I was looking in the mirror. My hernia also makes me depressed. I had the surgery once but was unable to take care of myself my mother passed at that time and at this point my mind is not ready for another long recoop period and I do not think  this the surgery is all the successsful. DO NOT FEEL ALONE

Hi. I'm a 44 year old woman in the U.S. I also have a huge hernia and didn't even know I had it until recently. An old cat scan from 2007 showed it but nobody told me until last month!!!!!

I've had so many surgeries over the years and I survived them all. Now I just had back surgery and was able to go home the next day. Then one week later, I'm in the ER with a huge budge that seemed to pop out overnight so I had a cat scan and that's when they said I had a hernia. I was referred to a surgeon and he's the one who told me about my 2007 cat scan, showing I had a hernia. He said now it's huge. He won't operate until I lose 100 lbs. WTF? I said I just had back surgery and I'm fine. I have no other life threatening health issues except I weigh 300. Because I have not been able to do anything for a long time. It sucks. He said I would die if I had the surgery. He said a 5% chance. That low?!?!? I have a hard time having normal bowel movements. I'm so scared. My hernia is right next to my belly button, near an old incision. Now a few days ago I started having very sharp pain in my lower left side and near the front of my hip. It hurts to walk!! What is that?? My bulge is by my belly button so what's with the sharp pain way down there?? Not really that far away but what is causing that? It came out of nowhere. Does that mean my hernia tore my stomach wall or what? I'm so freaked out. Have an appt in Monday with a highly rated surgeon who specializes in hernias. I'm hoping he'll give me good news and operate if it's safe.

I'm so upset nobody told me in 2007. I could have gotten it fixed quick. I had one hernia repair surgery in 2004 and I was fine but I was not as fat though. It was a small one.

I am always hot and sweat so easily. I have to have our bedroom very cold,window ac is on 64 degrees plus a ceiling fan and plus central air on 71. Our house is cold. Poor hubby and son.

I hope all of us can get fixed!!!! I'm so sorry for you all ladies. I felt so alone in this and I stumbled on this web site and I am glad I'm

Not alone but not glad you all are in the same situation.

My stomach is so big too.

Anyone have Facebook? I'll share a picture later when I learn this web site in the computer. I'm on my iPhone. Too small. Lol.hugs to you all.

Hi Sharon my bowels perforated just over 2 years ago due to adhesions from 3 c sections.  I was 66 at the time.  The resectioning of my bowel caused an incisional hernia which I guess is also called a ventral hernia.  I found a surgeon on-line and persuaded my gp to send me for a consultation with him, you can also pay for a consultation with him.  He takes on cases other surgeons reject, I managed to get my repair with him on the NHS, He is called Andrew De Beaux and is part of the Group Hernia surgeons Edinburgh, email him its worth a shot, its what I did.  He is chair of the british and european hernia society.  You can at the moment choose to get your surgery with the surgeon of your choice, If your GP cuts up awkward bypass him and go straight to Mr De Beaux.  Got my repair in september no complications other drs describe him as a genius.  Go on Sharon give it a try.  Hernia disease is little heard of but it is truly horrendous.  I can let you have his email address if you would like.

Hi, i read your story my mother is going through the same thing you are. How are you now?

I have a very large ventral hernia.  I was wondering how often all of you go out in public and how?  I look 9 months pregnant and only leave the house to get my haircut and the dentist.  Our children are both gone and just when it is time for us to do things together I simply can't.  I can only walk a few yards before I have to stop and I'm only 58 years old. I haven't been to the grocery store in 7 or 8 years.  Hubby does everything.  I used to run 9 miles a day and now I can't even get around our neighborhood once. Is there any kind of abdominal binder that you swear by?  thank you