2. Hernias result from defects, or holes, in the abdominal
wall and are typically classified by etiology and
location.
For example, an incisional hernia is one that occurs at
the site of a previous abdominal incision.
3. An open repair involves an abdominal incision (often a
vertical incision in the midline of the abdomen) and
may or may not also involve a release of the abdominal
muscles to facilitate closure of the abdominal fascia.
As part of this procedure an abdominal wall mesh will
be placed to reinforce the hernia repair.
4. •The most common problem for patients following hernia repair:
Wound Complications.
•May be minimal redness or may be a dehiscence of the wound with
infection.
•Recurrence of hernia is a return of the hernia following repair.
•With increasing weight, the risk of wound complications and
recurrence increase.
5. Body Mass Index (BMI) is a simple index of weight for
height that is commonly used to classify underweight,
overweight, and obesity in adults.1
BMI is an inexpensive and easy-to-perform method of
screening for weight categories.
BMI Classification
Less than 18.5 Underweight
18.5-24.9 Normal weight
25.0-29.9 Overweight
30.0-34.9 Class I Obesity
35.0-39.9 Class II (Severe) Obesity
Greater than 40.0 Class III (Morbid) Obesity
6. With increasing weight, patients are more likely to have
wound complications and hernia recurrence.
When compared with patients with BMI in the normal
weight category, the risk of wound complication is:
3 times more likely for patients with BMI between 30 and
40
6 times more likely for patients with BMI greater than 40 3
BMI less than30 BMI more than 30
7. Hernias recur in less than one in ten patients with BMI
25 or less, but
Hernias recur in as many as three in ten patients with
BMI more than than 30.3
BMI more than 30:
BMI in normal range:
8. It is highly recommended that a patient reach a BMI as
close to 30 as possible in order to have the best chance
possible of successful hernia repair.
9. Increase physical activity -
Start small and increase every day – even a one minute
walk is a start to improving your physical endurance and
chances at reaching goal weight.
Decrease calorie intake –
Even a small step such as eliminating sugary drinks
(soda) can improve your chances at reaching goal
weight.
10. Barnstable Brown Weight Management Program
UK HealthCare
Kentucky Clinic
740 S Limestone
Lexington, KY 40536
Telephone: 859-323-2232
HMR (Health Management Resources)
4071 Tates Creek Center Drive, #300
Lexington, KY 40517
Telephone: 859-422-4671
Weight Watchers
www.weightwatchers.com
11. Center for Weight Loss Surgery
160 N Eagle Creek Drive
Lexington, KY 40509
Telephone: 859-967-5520
Central Baptist Hospital Surgical Weight Loss Center
2716 Old Rosebud Road, Suite 351
Lexington, KY 40509
Telephone: 1-800-935-4083
Norton Weight Management Center
1000 Dupont Road
Louisville, KY 40207
Telephone: 502-629-1234
12. Successful hernia repair with fewer complications is
the desired goal.
Many patients have taken the measures necessary and
lost enough weight to be in a healthier (and less risky)
range of weight before planning hernia repair surgery.
You can take steps to meet your goal weight and have
successful hernia repair surgery, too.
13. If pain associated with your hernia becomes severe,
there is redness, nausea or vomiting associated with
the bulge, these are signs that the hernia may be
entrapped or strangulated.
These symptoms are cause for concern and if they
occur, the patient should seek care.
14.
15. 1. World Health Organization: Global Database on Body
Mass Index. Accessed from
http://apps.who.int/bmi/index.jsp?introPage+intro_3.html
June 11, 2012.
2. National Heart Lung and Blood Institute/ National
Institutes of Health. Calculate Your Body Mass Index.
Accessed from: http://www.nhlb:support.com/bmi/ , June
11, 2012.
3. Roth JS, Diaz DF, Plymale M, Davenport DL. 2013.
Abdominal wall reconstruction utilizing the component
separation technique: Does reinforcing mesh reduce
recurrences? Surgery: Current Research 3: 129. Doi:
10.4172/2161-1076.1000129.
