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how long for bothersome scar tissue to go away?
Hello all.
In May 2016 I had open mesh repair for a left side inguinal hernia and in October 2016 I had the same done for the right side.
The left side healed up perfectly. It’s as if I never had a hernia there at all. But the right side is, and has always been, a bit bothersome. When I hike or work out, I’ll often get a dull ache coming from the area of the incision. I’ll get a similar discomfort just before a bowel movement as well. I can feel a hard lump underneath the lower end of incision that seems to be the source of the discomfort. Scar tissue I’m guessing? The lump has reduced in size and hardness in the year since the surgery, but the discomfort it causes is still the same.
I’m 32, non-smoker, healthy weight. I had the surgery performed at UCLA by Dr. Charles Chandler. Not seeing any signs of a recurrence visually. Contour is pretty even and I’m not able to reduce anything.
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4 Replies
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Most scar tissue problems resolve within the first year. If you have bulging or lumping, I agree with everyone else here: it may be something simple that a physical therapist can work on or you may need to have it re evaluated by your surgeon for either a suture issue, mesh issue, or recurrence.
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quote Sean85:Hello all.In May 2016 I had open mesh repair for a left side inguinal hernia and in October 2016 I had the same done for the right side.
The left side healed up perfectly. It’s as if I never had a hernia there at all. But the right side is, and has always been, a bit bothersome.
I’m 32, non-smoker, healthy weight. I had the surgery performed at UCLA by Dr. Charles Chandler. Not seeing any signs of a recurrence visually. Contour is pretty even and I’m not able to reduce anything.
The big question is – why is one side different from the other if the same material and procedure was used by the same doctor? He should have his notes from surgery about what he saw and what he did, and would have the best idea about why there’s a difference. Could be something as simple as a dissolving suture that’s not dissolving. Maybe, I hear they do that sometimes. But, really, your surgeon should be the first person you talk to, in this case, I’d say. You had one perfect result from him, he should be able to get you another.
If you do talk to him ask him what type of mesh he used. Just for reference, for the larger hernia mesh repair world out here. You’ve had the old style repair done, which is interesting in itself.
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I’ve been told that plastic surgeons say 6 months to a year for scar tissue to remodel and feel normal. In your case it’s been a little over a year. You could try massage to help break it up and PT can help with this. They have multi-modal approach to reduce scar tissue. I am just starting to work with PT and that is one of the things we will work on. I have lots of scar tissue from multiple abdominal surgeries. Just a few suggestions. Wishing you the best.
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Great question about scar tissue. I had surgery back in 2014 July by Dr Goodyear of North penn hernia Institute. After surgery I spent two weeks off from work and kept walking regularly. The surgery was simple but the scar tissue was like a snickers bar inserted inside me. I asked Dr. G and he said for some people it will take time to heal. After 3 years I still feel some hardness but it is now 80% gone. Scar tissue takes years to heal. So do not worry.
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