I just watched a video on component separation surgery. I will need this procedure to repair my hernia. It was mentioned that the patient develops a bulge or a pot belly. You could increase your waist by 4 to 5 inches.

Is this a permanent condition? Also, I don't understand why it would increase so much

Thanks
Bob

Hi bob i got this component sep surgery under advice from hernia md.I had it done last september and i didnt get no bulges or pot belly,all i got was MRSA in the hospital.My component sep surgery was done with ultrapro mesh on the outside and alloderm in the inside of the rectus muscles.Let me tell you that i feel almost normal with this surgery compared with the incisional hernia repair(ventral) with that kugel composix that was hurting me everyday and i finally had it removed.

Hi Gino. I am glad you are doing well. Most patients with a component separation do quite well. Your experience with the Kugel composix is not uncommon. Most hernia surgeons stay away from that mesh, it is too stiff and non compliant. Good luck.

I will always be grateful to you Hernia M.D.( who ever you are ) and Dr G and this board in helping me through my decision and hard times.

I see where some surgeons who are expert at performing a component separation repair are using Veritas Collagen Matrix. It is supposed to remodel into the tissue that it is used to repair and is also said to prevent adhesions. It is a biological mesh made from bovine but word has it that it is quite strong. Why don't we hear more about this material in hernia repair?

Good question?

I thought that back before plastic mesh was used that either BOVINE or PPIG Skin was used in lot of surgery. From 60's to 80's.. Mostly in lung and heart surgery. with some people body rejection. I just done goggle search on this, typed in Bovine used in hernia surgery , gives a list of different sites to check out. Not meaning to get off this subject but check out tonight 07'16/09. Thursday on The Movie Channel @ 8:pm Michael Moore Movie documetary "SICKO" insurance companies and health care system.. michelmoore.com it's the insurance companies and wall street investors that are hurting the health care program... and people like us with recurrent hernia's ... also check out another site from last weekend 07/10/09 Friday night and Sunday 07/12/09. http://www.pbs.org/moyers

on checking out the site: listing on health insurance, health with Bill Moyer Journal on PBS make sure you hit on transcript,look for 07/10/09, Bill Moyer talks with Wendell Potter on Health Insurance and Health-Care, and Michael Moore 's movie "SICKO" uncoverd in 2007 of insurance policy being dumped, rejected for the words of recurrence, pre-exisiting etc...

There are many biologic products. The best for component separation are biologics that are not crosslinked. I think Veritas is crosslinked. Better choices would be alloderm and Flex-HD. There is a simple summary at this website by Dr. Earle http://www.jfponline.com/Pages.asp?AID=4758)

Mr hernia md, why do you think my general and plastic surgeons decided on putting a ultrapro on top when there was going to be the alloderm originally on the bottom of the rectus muscles? could it be for extra strength or is it something they sometimes do? thankyou.

Some surgeons use both ultrapro and biologics for "extra' strength. There is no data to support this practice however. I don't think it does any harm, bit I don't think you need both.

Gino,
I am faced with a similar operation. I would like to know how you made out with the Componant Seperation procedure. Where did you have it done? Please resopnd. Thank You, Mark