My dad really needs help!! Advice please
Posted , 8 users are following.
two years ago my dad was in hospital and had part of his bowel removed while he was in surgery he became very unwell and his heart stopped for 8 minuets thankfully he was lucky but feeling awful and looking terrible. in recovery my dad was constantly saying he did not feel right and something was wrong they just kept giving him morphine until we told them to stop. eventually we got someone to listen and my dads bowel was leaking out and this lead to sepsis he was rushed back into surgery. he now has two bags and a hernia the size of a heavily pregnant lady and the hospital keep putting his surgery back. im desperate to help him see he needs a second opinion otherwise i fear he will die next time around. our local hospital has been put into special measures so i have no idea what to do?
0 likes, 11 replies
moon53540 carly94
Posted
Do you live in the UK? If you do, I would recommend going private. Request all your fathers medical notes and find a colorectal surgeon, it is better to find one who has been a consultant for over 10 years so they have experience and had a much tougher screening process than the ones that get through now. Look up all the ones who practice in your local area. Experienced and written about surgeons are better, avoid ones that write about themselves. If it is possible for the hospital to give the notes to the surgeon prior to you seeing him that would help a lot. Good luck.
lester90053 carly94
Posted
In addition to Moon's reply you should also consult a medical malpractice attorney.
pippa58442 carly94
Posted
Perhaps see if he can go to a different hospital.
switchdas carly94
Posted
Hi. I've got a similar hernia caused by surgery. not sure if it'll help you to know but these hernias are called 'Incisional hernias' they are caused by the stomach wall becoming so weak that the stomach muscles can't hold back the bowel so they poke through the muscles and stomach walls. They can be repaired by inserting mesh but they fail easily! I've had mine repaired 3 times now! After the 3rd attempt failed, I now still have the big hernia on my side. The NHS are not keen on doing the repairs because they class them as 'Cosmetic'. I hope your father can get his repaired and that it holds.
pippa58442 switchdas
Posted
Can they not try a different type of repair since mesh doesn't work? Have they tried simply stitching the hernia in? I wouldn't describe a hernia repair as cosmetic. It's strange for the NHS to class it as that. Hernias need prompt fixing. Maybe try a different doctor and hospital. You may find you can see someone with a different opinion.
switchdas carly94
Posted
I could try. they are classing my hernia as cosmetic because its not causing me any pain. the problem is, my stomach wall gets weaker and weaker, every time they open me up.
pippa58442 switchdas
Posted
Hernias can get painful as they get bigger. The hospital shouldn't be telling you to wait until it gets worse.
switchdas pippa58442
Posted
My hernia is already large. its massive. it's the size of a large football on my side. I think it's not going to get any bigger.
pippa58442 switchdas
Posted
Go back to your doctor and insist on something being done.
carly94 switchdas
Posted
yes i think this is my dads problem they are leaving him because everytime he has an operation its obviously very risky and they have not done a very good job in the past. all i can try and do is find another opinion or another option as the mesh doesnt sound any good.
elaine65659 carly94
Posted
Hi Carly
may I ask how old your dad is? It's sad but sometimes true that elderly patients are not always seen as a priority anymore, it seems to depend very much on your local health authority and how much they are willing to spend on older patients. It sounds horrible -and it is!- but I think we all know this happens. It is, I think, very much a 'postcode lottery' in the UK. If you can afford to go private that may be your father's best hope for a speedy recovery. But if that isn't an option, I would certainly speak to his/your GP if you can, and see what he/she can do to help. I wish you both all the very best. x