Hernia mesh, used to shore up an area weakened by a hernia, can upset your stomach. However, this is not a normal part of hernia surgery recovery. If you experience any of the following, it could be a sign of hernia mesh complications:
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Bloating
- Swelling or inflammation in the affected area
- Tingling or a pins-and-needles sensation (nerve pain)
- Abdominal pain
- Cramping
- Difficulty passing gas
- Constipation
- Infection symptoms
- Chronic pain
Depending on how long after a hernia repair surgery you experience these symptoms, you may not have initially linked your upset stomach to your hernia mesh. After all, a number of issues can cause an upset stomach. Nonetheless, if you are a hernia mesh recipient, consult a doctor if you’re experiencing an upset stomach. Additionally, consider calling a hernia mesh lawyer to see if you have a case to pursue compensation.
Nausea and Vomiting
The classic upset stomach symptoms, nausea, and vomiting can be a sign of several hernia mesh complications, including:
- Intestinal blockage
- Adhesions
- Peritonitis
- Mesh rejection
- Hernia recurrence
An intestinal blockage occurs when something, such as scar-like adhesions or the hernia mesh itself, blocks the small or large intestines and disrupts their natural function. Symptoms of such an occurrence can include nausea, vomiting, constipation, and an inability to pass gas. Patients with peritonitis, an infection in the membrane that lines the abdomen, exhibit the same symptoms.
In fact, peritonitis can be a secondary complication from a blocked intestine. The bottom line is to seek medical care if you experience any of these symptoms, as peritonitis and bowel blockages can present a serious health risk. These complications can cause tissue damage and even death in extreme cases.
Mesh Rejection
According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the surgical mesh can be synthetic or organic; the latter is created using sanitized animal tissue. While animal-based mesh is typically designed for the body to absorb it, synthetic hernia mesh is a permanent implant.
Your body may treat the synthetic mesh like a foreign object, especially if the mesh was cheaply manufactured or defective. Cheap or poorly constructed mesh can also break down due to the body’s rejection, causing even more complications if the mesh comes apart or moves.
If your upset stomach results from hernia mesh rejection, consult legal help after receiving medical care. Your mesh could have been defective or counterfeit, leading to this complication.
Abdominal Pain
Some pain after your hernia surgery is normal, but intense pain is not. For instance, Johns Hopkins describes the normal feeling after hernia surgery as “discomfort.” Furthermore, if you’re experiencing stomach or abdominal pain months or years after your surgery, you are likely suffering from a hernia mesh complication.
You may not even experience vomiting or nausea and, instead just feel stomach pain. Do not dismiss or downplay abdominal pain. Seek medical attention promptly and ask your doctor questions. Note your symptoms, such as where you feel the pain and what the pain feels like. You can also note your daily activities and tell them what you were doing when you began to feel the pain.
Bulging or Swelling
Your upset stomach could be accompanied by bloating, cramping, a full feeling, or even visible changes such as bulges or swelling. These could be a sign of:
- Seroma
- Infection
- Adhesions
- Mesh migration
- Bowel blockage
Seromas are pockets of fluid that can become infected, while adhesions are scar-like tissue that can contribute to intestinal obstructions. Your hernia mesh could even migrate from its original position, either because it was not secured properly in its original place or because of mesh rejection.
Delayed Onset
You may wonder why you’re feeling stomach pain or upset now, months, or years after your operation. While some surgical complications appear soon after the operation, hernia mesh is known for its delayed adverse effects. A study in the Journal of the American Medical Association found that, over time, hernia mesh complications can offset the benefits, even as much as five years later.
Mesh rejection, as mentioned earlier, is one side effect that can upset your stomach after some time has passed after hernia mesh surgery, as well as mesh migration and infected mesh. Experiencing stomach problems long after your hernia repair could mean the mesh has done a great deal of damage without your knowledge; you just finally feel the symptoms.
Because repairing this damage can be traumatic and costly, you might consult an attorney about the possibility of a personal injury suit against a doctor or manufacturer. You may be eligible for damages if negligence interfered with your recovery.
Recoverable Damages in a Hernia Mesh Failure Lawsuit
If you suffered complications after using a defective mesh product, you could pursue damages against the manufacturer, and a personal injury lawyer can build your compensation case. These damages include:
- Medical bills for your treatment, revision surgery, and management of your complications, including medications for hernia mesh pain
- The income you lost from not being able to work
- Ongoing medical care and rehabilitation costs for pain after hernia surgery
- Pain and suffering
- Other related damages
Our hernia mesh lawsuit attorney will review all your injuries and losses and advise you on the compensation you could demand from the party responsible for your condition.
Wrongful Death Damages
If your loved one suffered pain after surgery or other hernia mesh-related complications that caused their death, your family might be able to recover wrongful death damages. Our attorney might be able to file a lawsuit for compensation against the manufacturer on your behalf.
These awards could cover your loved one’s medical bills, funeral and burial expenses, lost household income, and other losses. We can explain how wrongful death actions work under Texas law and which family members are eligible to pursue them during a free consultation.
Your Upset Stomach From Hernia Mesh Implants Could Be a Legal Matter – Call Us for Help Today
If defective, counterfeit, improperly implanted, or poorly sanitized, hernia mesh can upset your stomach. Get the medical care you need, and then call the Strong Arm to learn about how Loncar Lyon Jenkins can file a hernia mesh lawsuit on your behalf and recover damages against the negligent party.
