Parastomal Hernia

[Perrier]

Hi! I'm new here & already have concerns about even starting scuba lessons (my first class is TONIGHT!)

I have a permanent, incontinent ileostomy & also have a lovely parastomal hernia to go along w/it. I'm not concerned about the ostomy & diving, but I am concerned about the hernia. I did a search & read some past posts about hernias, but none were "parastomal". My dive instructor has indicated that I don't need a dr's clearance. However, I called my colorectal surgeon anyway to get his approval, & of course he's out for the entire week!

Can anyone enlighten me as to wehther it is safe for me to dive w/this type of hernia? I'm researching the issue (which I should've done b/f today, but thought since the instructor didn't indicate to me, after reading my med questionnaire I filled out, that I would need a dr's clearance I'd be good to go) & thought I'd post here.

Any help or info will definitely be appreciated! Thanks!

Perrier

 

[jbd]

Hi! I'm new here & already have concerns about even starting scuba lessons (my first class is TONIGHT!)

I have a permanent, incontinent ileostomy & also have a lovely parastomal hernia to go along w/it. I'm not concerned about the ostomy & diving, but I am concerned about the hernia. I did a search & read some past posts about hernias, but none were "parastomal". My dive instructor has indicated that I don't need a dr's clearance. However, I called my colorectal surgeon anyway to get his approval, & of course he's out for the entire week!

Can anyone enlighten me as to wehther it is safe for me to dive w/this type of hernia? I'm researching the issue (which I should've done b/f today, but thought since the instructor didn't indicate to me, after reading my med questionnaire I filled out, that I would need a dr's clearance I'd be good to go) & thought I'd post here.

Any help or info will definitely be appreciated! Thanks!

Perrier

I'm wondering what qualifications the instructor has to make that determination :06:
I have only dealt with a couple such hernia's(many years ago) although they were quite small and had little affect on the daily activities of the patients.
You may want to checkout www.scuab-doc.com and see what info you can find there. If you do find anything you can take the information to your surgeon or direct him that website. He may be able to talk with other professionals about it if he is not sure.

 

[Bison]

You have a couple issues to take into consideration. First is the issue of your parastomal hernia, which will only become larger over time. That is the nature of this type of hernia, which is weakening or defect of the fascia around your stoma. If this was a temporary stoma then you could deal with it until it was reversed, but a perminent stoma with a hernia can become worse over time. Any strenuous activity could expedite the worsing of the parastomal hernia. Second is the issue of your scuba instructor "telling" you that you need no medical clearance. Never rely on anothers assumption. Do your homework yourself, talk with your colorectal surgeon and come to a decision that is right for your individual case.

Just my $0.02