Hernia newbie

August 22, 2023 1:56 PM

I have recently been diagnosed with a lingual hernia, by my Urologist during an exam for a kidney stone.

He spotted it immediately. Before the exam I ha never seen any sign or felt any discomfort. The very next day it started to bulge out and cause some discomfort. My question is if I purchase a truss, do I wear it 24/7, or just put it on when I feel it coming on which is not always easy. And do folks live with this for a period of time and just go on with their daily routines? Surgery is always an option but I don't think I'm quite there yet. Thank you. I am 77 year old male.

posted by Czjewel to Health & Fitness (4 answers total)

I had a lingual hernia maybe 13 years ago in my late 40s. No bulging, just pain. The surgery was just so easy. Got mesh put in, was home the same day, and played soccer the next week it was astonishing.

I now have a parastomal hernia, and it is always bulging, and it has made my life a nightmare. I have had it for probably 5 months or so. And it sucks.

Took my own internet searches to realize there were support belts that could help. And they do. I take it off at night, mostly just to give the under-belt area a chance to "breathe", and am currently sleeping only on my back to prevent the bulge, and while I am not functioning very well, and have to lie down several times during the day, I was literally useless in the afternoon after a day of bulging. And it looks like I will getting mesh put in in about three weeks with my colostomy takedown. And I am very excited for that.

At 77, do you really want to deal with the pain and all as you head towards 80? Health issues just seem to get harder as we age.

Bite the bullet, get the surgery. It will only get worse, and make your life more difficult if you don't.
posted by Windopaene at 8:18 PM on August 22, 2023

And having now read the "related questions" links, seems like there are folks that have had mesh repairs that didn't go well. However, I had what looked to be one on my left side back in like 1980, before laparoscopic surgery was a thing. And that was a fucking nightmare. Could barely move for 10 days or so.

My surgeon hasn't really said how he is going to do my takedown/hernia repair, suggesting that open and laparoscopic both might be on the table. I hope it is the latter. And before, he was unwilling to do both at the same time, but now has decided it is fine. I think he will use dissoluble mesh, which may prevent some of the long term issues with mesh. But my last mesh implant went so smoothly, I just want it in.

Good luck, get it done.
posted by Windopaene at 8:28 PM on August 22, 2023

I think you mean inguinal hernia. Lingual hernia would be on the tongue. I have just had my third. You can live with it but it will not get better and may get worse so my advice is get it done. If it is your first you can have it done by laparoscopy (keyhole surgery) which will be quick and easy and you will need only a couple of weeks to heal. It is more complicated if you have had a previous one but still worthwhile.
posted by TheRaven at 1:17 AM on August 23, 2023 [1 favorite]

Response by poster: Thanks!
posted by Czjewel at 7:12 AM on August 23, 2023