Dr Harsh Shah
MS, MCh (Surgical Gastroenterology), DrNB (Surgical Gastroenterology)
Registered with Gujarat Medical Council, Reg. No. G-38738
Hernia Surgeon · Dr. Jivraj Mehta Hospital, Vasna, Ahmedabad
In short
- Yes. The belly wall stays weaker where a stoma once came through, so a hernia can form at that closed site later.
- A soft bulge at the old stoma scar that grows on standing or coughing is the usual first sign of this hernia.
- A scan is often used to show the size of the gap and what lies inside it before the repair is planned.
A stoma brings the bowel out through the belly wall. When it is closed, the bowel is joined again and the wall is stitched shut.
That spot never goes back to being quite as strong as the wall around it. Months or years later, a bulge can appear there. This page explains why, and what is done next.
Why the old stoma site stays weak
To make a stoma, the muscle and the layers over it are cut and stretched. The bowel then sits in that opening for months or years, holding it open.
At closure the layers are brought together again, but the healed line is scar rather than muscle. Scar is less springy, so under daily pressure the gap can slowly widen.
What you may notice
The first sign is usually a soft bulge at the old scar. It often grows when you stand, cough, lift or strain, and settles when you lie down.
Some people feel a dragging ache by the end of the day. Clothes may sit oddly over it. Many people have no pain at all, and only the shape has changed.
Bulge around a stoma and bulge at a closed stoma site
Bulge around a stoma and bulge at a closed stoma site
| Point | Stoma still in place | Stoma closed |
|---|---|---|
| Where it is | Around the stoma opening | At the old stoma scar |
| What you see | Bag sits poorly, skin domes up | Soft bulge that grows on standing |
| Main trouble | Leaks and flange changes | Discomfort and a growing lump |
| First check | Looked at with the bag off | Felt while you cough or stand |
| Repair planning | Weighed with stoma closure | Weighed with your old scars |
Noticed a bulge where your stoma was closed? Bring your earlier operation notes and any scan reports to the first visit.
How it is checked
Your surgeon feels the scar while you lie down and again while you cough or stand. This shows the edges of the gap and how much comes through it.
An ultrasound or CT scan is often added. It shows the size of the gap, what lies inside it and the state of the layers around it, which the repair is planned on.
What your earlier surgery changes
You have had at least two operations at that site already. Loops of bowel may be stuck to the inside of the wall, so the surgeon plans the approach around them.
Bring your earlier operation notes, discharge papers and any scan reports. They tell the team what was done, which layers were used and whether a mesh is already in place.
When to come in sooner
These can mean bowel is trapped, which needs to be seen the same day rather than at a planned visit.
Frequently asked questions
Can a hernia form where my stoma was closed?
Yes. The wall was cut and stretched at that spot, so it stays weaker than the wall around it.
How soon after reversal can it appear?
It can show within months, or only after some years. A gradual bulge at that scar is the usual first sign.
Is this the same as a bulge around a stoma?
No. That one happens while the stoma is still in place. This one is at the closed site, after reversal.
Do I need a scan?
Often yes. An ultrasound or CT shows the size of the gap and what lies in it, which guides the repair.
Does my earlier bowel surgery change the repair?
Yes. Old scars and sticking inside the belly change the plan, so bring your earlier operation notes.
Related pages
The main page on this site is hernia surgery in Ahmedabad. These cover the neighbouring questions.
Where to find us
Dr Harsh Shah, MS, MCh (Surgical Gastroenterology), DrNB (Surgical Gastroenterology)
Dr. Jivraj Mehta Hospital, Vasna, Ahmedabad
Bring your reports. Second opinions are welcome.