Surgery may not be necessary for hernia

June 30, 2011 By

DEAR DR. GOTT: Is it possible to live a normal life without surgery for a hernia? I’ve heard of people years ago wearing various trusses or supports of some kind.

DEAR READER: Yes, it is. Trusses were quite common years ago and are still in existence today. A hernia can result from lifting heavy objects, chronic constipation, an undescended testicle, obesity and a host of other reasons.

In most cases, if the hernia doesn’t cause pain and discomfort, there is no need for surgical repair. It’s when it enlarges or strangulates (or there is increased risk of this occurring) that intervention is necessary.
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Battle of the bulge

July 30, 2010 By

DEAR DR. GOTT: I read your column daily but have never seen you comment on an inguinal hernia. Can you address it? I am in my late 70s and suddenly have one. It is not incarcerated, and I am wondering if I need surgery. If so, can it be done with local anesthesia?

DEAR READER: An inguinal hernia occurs when a portion of the small intestine or internal fat protrudes through a weakened area in the lower abdominal muscles. This occurs on either side of the groin area between the abdomen and thigh, resulting in a bulge. Inguinal hernias are five times more common in males than in females and account for 75 percent of all hernias, of which there are several kinds. An inguinal hernia can occur at any time from infancy to adulthood.
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Hernia needs second opinion, treatment

March 7, 2010 By

DEAR DR. GOTT: My husband had laparoscopic surgery in August 2008 to have one kidney removed because it had a large cancerous tumor on it.

In October 2008, a blood clot was found between his knee and ankle on the back of one of his legs. He is currently taking Coumadin to keep the blood flowing and reduce the possibility of further clotting.

In November 2008, he was found to have an incisional hernia in his abdominal area, which was the result of the August surgery. No one would operate on it until six months had passed from the discovery of the blood clot because of the risk. Every physician we spoke to said something about this being “generally accepted medical theory” regarding blood clots and surgery, etc. [Read more...]

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Sunday Column

December 14, 2008 By

DEAR DR. GOTT:
I am writing to you as a last resort for my ongoing problem.

In April 2005 I had an abdominal aortic aneurysm which burst while I was on the operating table. Against the odds I lived.

In July 2005 I developed two hernias which were treated non-invasively. In April 2006, I developed three hernias which were again treated non-invasively.

In May of 2006 I had surgery on my left carotid artery because it was 95% blocked. I was fine until March 2008 when I had to have surgery for another hernia. I have enclosed the hospital papers with this letter for your review.

Aug 2008 I returned to the same hospital because of more hernias. The doctor said they could not operate and that I would have to be seen by a specialist at a nearby medical university hospital or the Mayo Clinic. [Read more...]

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Daily Column

October 18, 2008 By

DEAR DR. GOTT:
I have had eight abdominal hernias and six operations in the past three years. The same doctor has performed these operations using mesh each time and each time another hernia comes on in a different location of my stomach. This is highly rare to have so many surgeries — my stomach looks like a tic-tac toe board.

I’m 60 years old and carried mail for 34 years. I retired at the age of 55. I don’t know if my occupation has anything to do with my weak stomach lining or not.

My questions are, should I change doctors? Is there any other new procedure besides mesh? Does wearing a truss help any, and how many surgeries can be done on a stomach without causing further damage?

DEAR READER:
Hernias occur when soft tissue protrudes through a tear or weakened area of the lower abdominal wall. [Read more...]

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Sunday Column

August 10, 2008 By

DEAR DR. GOTT:
My husband is 70 years old and feels like a dying man. In the last three months he has had a plethora of problems including an unproductive cough (now gone), trembling, lightheadedness, dizziness, fatigue, hiccup spasms, nausea, constipation and occasional inability to urinate. Currently he is taking half an Atenolol (50 mg), one Prilosec and one low dose aspirin (81 mg).

In February 2007, my husband was found to have high blood pressure and was started on lisinopril, hydrochlorothiazide and metoprolol which he took until October 2007 when he developed an unproductive cough, extreme fatigue and lightheadedness. He could sleep 24/7. He saw his doctor who ordered testing but nothing was found.

He then developed dizziness when turning his head or bending over [Read more...]

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