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Recently diagnosed with inguinal Hernia
Hello everyone,
I’m a 33 year old male and I was recently diagnosed with a right inguinal hernia.
It was diagnosed at the urgent care, when my right testicle swelled up to the size of a lemon after being really constipated for a couple of days.
I lost 80lb over the last year and increased my physical activity considerably (weight lifting once in a while and a circuit workout of walking, pushups, pull ups combined with leg raises, and squat-jumps every lunch break at work during the week), which probably has something to do with all of this.I got a referral to a general surgeon, however she, as well as everyone she works with/knows, does exclusively mesh repairs.
After doing research, I very much want to avoid having a foreign object, which might cause pain and infertility, and is difficult to remove, inside me for the next 50+ years.
The only specialist who does non-mesh repair that I was able to find in the SF Bay Area (Dr. William Brown), is out of the country, and the earliest I could get an appointment for a consultation, is August 20th.
I need some advice about what I can and can’t do until then, as well as what I should watch out for, in terms of: what are indicators that it’s time to go to the ER, or that I can’t wait for a non-mesh repair and just bite the bullet and hope I’m one of the lucky people who can go 50 years without issues.So far, my testicle has gotten almost back to normal, and when I’m laying or close to horizontal, the hernia seems to retract.
When I spend some time standing or walking, I can feel a little bulge on my right side, above the scrotum.
I don’t want to cause some permanent damage (infertility, testicle/intestine strangulation) waiting around…
I am going to an event this Saturday that will require standing/walking for about 6-8 hours.
Can I do that safely? What should I be watching out for, short of strong, sharp pain?
My primary care physician, unfortunately is very unresponsive, and this last week has me seriously considering seeking a new doctor.
Thank you for any advice in advance.
Kroum
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10 Replies
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quote Km8888:That is a very good point. The surgeon I consulted with already supposedly has extensive experience with mesh surgeries in the VA, and the surgeon whose office she works in is likewise, so maybe they can be my “backup” if something happens before I can see Dr. Brown.That is similar to my plan…I have a “specialist” I am going to see, with others on back-up if I don’t like what the first says. Really annoyed primary care providers just told me, don’t lift anything heavy and just go on with your life. They should have at least referred me to a hernia specialist to discuss the matter.
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quote Forest:I had two doctors tell me to wait and go on with your life. However, I wish I had gotten it addressed earlier. My hernias are small (bilateral and umbilical), and were asymptomatic until recently. After doing research, I discovered that surgeon skill is most important in hernia repair outcome. You can choose your surgeon if you take action before they become symptomatic. However, if you wait until they become an emergency, then you probably cannot. Now I am just hoping my hernia doesn’t become an emergency before I get is repaired by hernia specialist. Trying to do everything I can to keep it “safe” until surgery.
That is a very good point. The surgeon I consulted with already supposedly has extensive experience with mesh surgeries in the VA, and the surgeon whose office she works in is likewise, so maybe they can be my “backup” if something happens before I can see Dr. Brown.
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quote Kablooey:I’m relatively new to this forum. I’ve been reading thru the many posts for the last 2 months after a diagnosis of a indirect inguinal hernia thru ultrasound.
If your capable of waiting 5 weeks it would make sense to me to see Dr Brown considering that he’s close by and all of the amazing post-op testimonials on this forum.
However, in my non-expert opinion based on your previous symptoms of extreme constipation and testicular swelling you may want to have an emergency back-up plan just in case something happens: incarceration…
I’m currently on my 6th day of recovery from non-mesh hernia repair from what turned out to be a femoral hernia and removal of a inguinal lipoma by Dr. Kang at Gibbeum Hospital in Seoul, South Korea!
I can empathize with what your going thru completely! I just recently had to make the choice in going to Korea for surgery in early July or in late August with my wife when we were originally planning to go prior to discovering my hernia. It was late June and I just wanted to put this hernia past me and I feared having to go to the emergency room and having a mesh repair performed by a general surgeon with very little experience!
Kind Regards,
Thank you for the advice.
I am becoming very paranoid about every twinge or tingle I feel in that area, and my personal doctor’s unresponsiveness is very unfortunate. I sent a message with updates, including my concerns, and asking for guidance and advice last Friday, and still no response.
She had messaged me on the same app the previous week, so one would think she checks her messages there. -
quote Jnomesh:Try to lessen anything that increases abdominal pressure-constipation (higher fiber diet), coughing (chronic etc), and squats etc.
Avoid lifting heavy objects especially those that require bending etc.
You should be more than fine until you get your appointment with dr. Brown.
Many have had great success with dr. Brown and the fact that he is in your backyard makes it a no brainer to wait for him to return and go with a non mesh repair in the hands of one of the few specialists that has mastered this type of surgeryThank you. I’m trying to do all of the things you mentioned. Keep my diet very clean: veggies and meat, I stopped squats and other exercises, including walking during my lunch break for the moment, until I can figure out what I can do without aggravating the hernia, which is very disappointing, since it’s one of the things I look forward to every day.
I’m trying to get a hernia truss belt, but I went to 3 drug stores and a medical supply store without luck. I have one on order from Amazon, but it’s taking a while to deliver, probably due to “prime day”…
The more I research, the more I agree that I’m lucky that despite having to wait a month, there is actually a specialist in my area. It sounds like no-mesh repair specialists are very rare.
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I had two doctors tell me to wait and go on with your life. However, I wish I had gotten it addressed earlier. My hernias are small (bilateral and umbilical), and were asymptomatic until recently. After doing research, I discovered that surgeon skill is most important in hernia repair outcome. You can choose your surgeon if you take action before they become symptomatic. However, if you wait until they become an emergency, then you probably cannot. Now I am just hoping my hernia doesn’t become an emergency before I get is repaired by hernia specialist. Trying to do everything I can to keep it “safe” until surgery.
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I’m relatively new to this forum. I’ve been reading thru the many posts for the last 2 months after a diagnosis of a indirect inguinal hernia thru ultrasound.
If your capable of waiting 5 weeks it would make sense to me to see Dr Brown considering that he’s close by and all of the amazing post-op testimonials on this forum.
However, in my non-expert opinion based on your previous symptoms of extreme constipation and testicular swelling you may want to have an emergency back-up plan just in case something happens: incarceration…
I’m currently on my 6th day of recovery from non-mesh hernia repair from what turned out to be a femoral hernia and removal of a inguinal lipoma by Dr. Kang at Gibbeum Hospital in Seoul, South Korea!
I can empathize with what your going thru completely! I just recently had to make the choice in going to Korea for surgery in early July or in late August with my wife when we were originally planning to go prior to discovering my hernia. It was late June and I just wanted to put this hernia past me and I feared having to go to the emergency room and having a mesh repair performed by a general surgeon with very little experience!
Kind Regards,
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Try to lessen anything that increases abdominal pressure-constipation (higher fiber diet), coughing (chronic etc), and squats etc.
Avoid lifting heavy objects especially those that require bending etc.
You should be more than fine until you get your appointment with dr. Brown.
Many have had great success with dr. Brown and the fact that he is in your backyard makes it a no brainer to wait for him to return and go with a non mesh repair in the hands of one of the few specialists that has mastered this type of surgery -
Thank you both for your replies.
The worst part aren’t the symptoms, I only have some slight tightness/pressure and a little soreness. It’s the fact that I feel my whole life now revolves around this hernia and being worried about it.
The survey was eye-opening and further reinforces my preference for a non-mesh repair.
I’m going to look for a truss belt and see if that might help a little when I’m walking or standing. -
This Topic, linked below, might help your thought process. Fascinating how “mesh” has completely taken over the hernia repair field. Almost exclusively due to the Herniasurge “International” Guidelines. The result of that single effort, the meeting and the publication, is treated as gospel. The people behind it got everything that they hoped for. It’s incredible.
https://www.herniatalk.com/10885-surgeons-with-hernias-what-would-they-do
https://twitter.com/Herniadoc/status/1114246402950012930
Fascinating audience polling by @DrMicki of laparoscopic general / hernia surgeons. Here are 3 questions:
Q1: how many of you would have your minimally symptomatic inguinal hernia repaired?
A: 56% choose watchful waiting. pic.twitter.com/oZ0RCpcknH— Dr. Shirin Towfigh (@Herniadoc) April 5, 2019
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I only know what I’ve been able to research, but I’ll throw in my 2 cents. If I were in your position, I would wait for Dr.Brown. However, that assumes you don’t have a job or home life that requires you to be on your feet, lifting things. I think if you are as careful as possible, you could stall for 6 weeks without making things worse. Some people go decades without getting their hernia repaired. I think it comes down to how long you are willing to have your entire life revolve around being cautious so that you don’t disturb your hernia. At some point, not exercising and worrying is going to get real old. If you are in a lot of pain and you keep getting swelling, etc., you have to do what you have to do. There are mesh surgeons that are talented and conscientious, find the one in your area and have that option ‘on deck’ if you have to go that route.
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