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Mutiple Surgeries in a close proximity of time.
Sorry to hear of all the surgery and pain you have had to endure. I am a 52 year old female. My situation is similar to yours in that I have had 7 surgeries in 3 1/2 years, 4 in the last 2 years. My case is a little different because all surgeries were trying to deal with groin pain and hernias. I first had a laparoscopy looking for source of groin/pelvic pain. I then had a hysterectomy (pretty sure I didn’t need it)! Next femoral hernia repair, triple neurectomy, mesh removal and open tissue repair on left, bilateral open hernia repair and then abdominal wall reconstruction in September 2015. The initial recovery from AWR was very painful, but the doctor told me it would be difficult because of the nature of the surgery. After the initial recovery period of about three months I started having worse groin pain and my whole abdomen hurts. I still have to wear an abdominal binder 10 months after surgery or it feels terrible. I never thought I would feel worse after surgery than before, the pain was bad before! I started walking the day after surgery and have built up my distance. Walking helps and the excercise is good therapy. I also do core and leg strengthening PT exercises. Not sure if any of this helps me feel better, but helps me get in shape. Some days I say it feels like my guts are falling out ( best way I can describe it). It is a nasty pain and often times makes me nauseous. I have traveled from VA to CA seeking help. I am trying some lidocaine patches, some different medications and having some interventional radiology injections next week. So far nothing is really helping, but I will persevere. I am afraid that the mesh is the problem. I recently have a new pulling pain at my belly button. I have burning pain on the right that feels like it’s on fire. By the end of the day I usually have swelling too. Not sure how nerve problems could cause swelling!! Maybe Dr. Towfigh could give some insight as to how you know if the mesh is the problem – contracting, inflammation or even just reaction to the mesh, not necessarily infection. There have also been a couple of times when I have been in lots of pain and the area has felt hot. Not sure if that means anything. Sorry to be long winded, but hope that maybe you can relate to some of the things I am feeling. I hope that you can find answers. I will not give up until I can find something that truly helps. Right now I feel like I am ruling things out instead of getting to the source of my problem.