groin hernia repair

J

Jordan Walnutz

New member
Hi guys,

I thought I'd post in this topic instead of starting another.

I'm a 33 year old UK male with a double hernia(inguinal). I found out I had these several months ago after suffering from quite a lot of pain in my right testicle and lower abdominal. I went to the hospital and they found the hernias while having an ultrasound. At the time I didn't really have any pain on the hernia on the left, but I'm a pretty active guy and my day and night job involves lifting etc, in which the hernias have got worse. And now I'm in pretty constant pain with both of them.

I've booked myself into the hospital, already have had the pre-op, and now received the letter from the NHS telling me to ring to make an appointment for the op.

After reading the herniabible site and stories around other message boards, around the problems that may occur from using mesh, I'm starting to worry very much of to go ahead with it. However, as mentioned, the hernias are affecting my way of life. I've at to stop cycling due to being in constant pain. No more weights, can't really do any jogging. It's affecting my day job. I've just given my night job(Bouncer) up because of the pain when I'm standing for long periods.

I feel like im stuck. With me being UK based, and not affording to go any other way than going through the NHS with the mesh, theres nothing much I can do. Some of the stories I have read though really are starting to knock me.

Also, I've never been put to sleep before. This is another thing thats worrying the hell outta me.. I'm like a nervous wreck at the moment..lol

Anyway, I thought I'd share this with you.

Is there anyone on here that have had the mesh repair and not had any problems? I always seem to read the bad stories, but no good stories regarding hernia surgery this way.
 
Its my theory that successful procedures would not be posted on health issue related topic boards: They worked so a recipient wouldn't have reason to research remedies.

From my limited research, and my personal nightmare experience, I've been led to believe 70%~80% of the operations have patients at or very near 100% in about 2 weeks with limited long term discomfort.
 
DerbyDave: Being put under is no big deal at all. You will feel a little dizzy for about 3 seconds or so, then you will be out and will wake up groggy. At least that's the way it went for me.

I would recommend requesting non-mesh repair if possible...some people are fine, others, as you have read, have pain from the mesh. If you can save/finance some money, there is a Doc in Las Vegas that did mine for about $4k, non-mesh, no insurance. Obviously it would cost you more to travel there... but it was worth it for me to find a way to avoid the mesh style repair, reading some of the same stuff you have. And I don't regret the extra cost of the travel at all.

The repair itself is generally not a big deal, and recovery is 2-4 weeks depending on the person. Should be able to do light (non-lifting) work in 1-2 weeks. I got mine in July '09 and I am fine now.
 
My surgery was LESS expensive without using mesh, but if your hernias are large enough, mesh is usually suggested. You can talk to your doctor about both methods. With me, my surgeon was pretty sure that mesh wouldn't be required since the hernias were relatively small (I could notice them, but they were not a huge bulge). If it's determined that they can sew up the area without putting strain on the tissue, then you may not need to use mesh. See what your doctor thinks! But it should not cost MORE to get the traditional method used for your hernia repair.

I agree that getting put under isn't bad at all! I WOULD suggest talking to your doctor about nausea medication as a preventive. Some people do get nauseous from anesthesia, and believe me.. you do not want to feel nauseous after abdominal surgery! The first time I had anesthesia for oral surgery, I was given pills to take ahead of time to help prevent nausea. They worked great! I don't even remember waking up really, and just remember getting into the car with my mom (she took care of me after the surgery) and getting home, and I was really tired the first day and just slept a lot. For my hernia surgery (I also had two inguinal hernias- mine were indirect), I felt sick that day due to a migraine unfortunately. I wasn't able to take my migraine medication because it was on the restricted list of meds I could take that took before surgery, so I felt pretty bad from that. They did give me medication in my IV, but I felt nauseous from the migraine and almost threw up... it hurt my abs a LOT from the heaving! Definitely take precaution just in case.

As for cost, remember that when using insurance, it's usually broken up into three different bills. Nobody told me this from my doctor's office and I found out on here and other websites. I got a bill for my anesthesiologist, hospital, and surgeon. My insurance covered 80% of all of them. I paid around $1200 after insurance. I didn't discuss payment plan options, but keep in mind that some places do offer payment plans so you don't have to pay it all at once. Ask them if this is an option! It probably would have costed me more if they had to use mesh, since that would be a little more complicated of a surgery.

It's been 2 months and I feel back to my normal self. I notice that my lower abs aren't as flat as they used to be, but I imagine it's just from not working out that area as much, as I imagine it takes some time. I can run without a problem and lift light weights. I still have scar tissue and can feel ridges under my skin, but my surgeon said this can last some months. I also have red lines from the incisions (two, about 2.5 inches each, I didn't get laporascopic surgery), which I hope will fade lighter one day. I do have some slight numbness at the surface of my skin on one side in one area. I notice it while shaving... I feel like the top of my skin is numb there. This is something else I've talked to many others about... even women who have had C-sections often have this problem from nerves being cut... and it often can take a while for the feeling to come back. It isn't anything that bothers me and I hardly notice it though, but one lady told me it took about 6 months for the numbness to go away for her.

Let us know if you have any other questions! You will do fine. I was very nervous and now I just feel so relieved I did it... just take it easy afterwards and accept any help offered from family/friends. I took a week and a half off of work. I might have been able to return after one week, but the Vicodin I was taking made me depressed and moody, and I honestly felt like an emotional wreck! Yikes! I don't get that good, relaxed feeling most get from Vicodin!
 
DerbyDave: You might have had your procedures already, but for reference -if you didn't have it yet- I had "the plug" inguinal hernia operation 2 years ago, and it took me
a couple of weeks to walk without pain. But I didn't take any anesthetics at all. I just was careful with my movements, and suffered the pain. I believe that many hernia patients take strong painkillers, and because the pain is reduced, the feel they are ok, exert themselves beyond the amount of stretch the hernia mess, patch, or plug can hold. That may cause little damage that lingers on and prevent a full healing, or cause a
failure over the long term. My suggestion to anyone planning a hernia repair: Move slowly and stay home for at least 2 weeks - even if you don't feel pain. No sudden or
abrupt movements, and no speedy actions or weights for another 4 weeks.
 
Back
Top