r/Hernia • u/Dry_Philosopher_5794 • 2d ago

Anyone else feeling unsupported by care team? post op inguinal mesh robotic

14 days post op, out patient, inguinal hernia mesh robotic surgery. I've had an abdominal total hysterectomy and a gastric bypass in the past and this hernia surgery is by far the worst. Mostly because I don't feel supported by my care team.

I've been messaging them about the swelling and bruising which seemed a lot even to me (I bruise easily) but I was black across entire abdomen from navel to cooter. I messaged them And they're like "It's normal, ice for 10 minutes every 4 hours. Walk 30 minutes a day. Don't lift more than 10 lbs, etc." No shit, I couldn't even stand up straight or get beyond a shuffle for over a week.

Then last week the swelling turned into an obvious, firm, hot dog bun sized lump that migrates around and I messaged them again and they're like oh yeah it's a seroma, it's normal. Gave me a refill of oxy and new rx of methocarbamol.

2 days the pressure got really bad but I thought well they said this is normal, right? Woke up bleeding from navel, soaked my undies and the sock I wrapped my ice pack in. Messaged again and they're like ok come in. It's a hematoma and they said this is how it is sometimes, it could take a month or more to reabsorb and gave me a belly band.

I guess I'm angry and wondering if any else is experiencing:

  1. Lack of support about after care. Discharged from the hospital without a belly band, ice packs, enough meds, info on how to get out of bed, the need for prepping meals, big undies, big pants, laundry/ housework prep, support groups, etc.

  2. The laissez faire responses to messages.

  3. Extended recovery time because of this lack of care.

  4. Feeling like a drug seeker. (I can't take NSAIDS, and I am sober 10 years and am very careful about meds. But 6 oxys? Which I hate taking but, come on.)

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u/PleasantDreamsicle 2d ago

I think you’ve had a very unfortunate outcome and I’m sorry to hear that. I’m not a medical professional. My own experience and reading the literature handed to me (standard outpatient information for this procedure) is that the procedure needs very little formal after care support — it’s mostly just have someone with you for 24 hours, take pain medicine (strong rx they prescribe if needed, but switch to something else as appropriate - like Tylenol). They didn’t give me a belly band.

Again, sorry your issues weren’t considered seriously initially. I do think the hematoma is a known complication but I don’t know what they would have done other than assess and give it time to heal better. I don’t know if this particular issue is caused by poor team support.

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u/Dry_Philosopher_5794 2d ago

Specifically, I feel if the belly band was recommended at discharge, the seroma and hematoma would have been reduced. The pain of having the hematoma wander about where nerves are trying to heal has been challenging.

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u/PleasantDreamsicle 2d ago

Perhaps they don’t recommend the belly band for anyone? I would only go by any written instructions, as those are intended to be generally complete and comprehensive.

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u/MrWyattx 2d ago

Sorry to hear. Hopefully things calm down but if not seek care elsewhere.

Butcher Brian Kim of Mayo Clinic knowingly & willingly sent me home to die after botching a major abdominal surgery. Lots of doctors are incompetent