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
- Abdominal pain
- Cramping
- Difficulty passing gas
- Constipation
Depending on how long after your hernia repair you experience these symptoms, you may not have even originally linked your upset stomach to your hernia mesh. After all, an upset stomach can be caused by a number of issues. Nonetheless, if you are a hernia mesh recipient, consult a doctor if you’re experiencing an upset stomach.
Nausea and Vomiting
The classic upset stomach symptoms, nausea, and vomiting can be a sign of a number of different 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 inability to pass gas. Those same symptoms are exhibited in peritonitis victims (an infection in the membrane that lines your abdomen).
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
Your body’s immune system is designed to recognize and attack foreign objects. In most cases, this is a help, not a hindrance. However, when doctors use medical devices to solve a problem, such as surgical mesh for a hernia, the body can overreact to that device and attack. When this happens, you can experience the symptoms of an upset stomach, such as nausea, throwing up, and digestive issues.
According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), surgical mesh can either be synthetic or organic, the latter created using sanitized animal tissue. While the animal-based mesh is typically designed to be absorbed by the body, 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 is the result of hernia mesh rejection, consult legal help after receiving medical care. Your mesh could have been defective or counterfeit, leading to this complication.
For a free legal consultation, call 877-239-4878
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!
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 the 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 both traumatic and costly, you might decide to 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.
Contact our personal injury lawyers today
Your Upset Stomach Could Be a Legal Concern
If defective, counterfeit, improperly implanted or poorly sanitized, hernia mesh can upset your stomach. Get the care you need and then call the Strong Arm to learn about how Loncar Lyon Jenkins can help you pursue damages against the negligent party: (877) 239-4878.
Call or text 877-239-4878 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form
