Return to Surgery – Need Help

[Herniated]

I would avoid the CT option due to the associated radiation (increased cancer risk for you and mutation risk of any future offspring).

[Herniated]

@drtowfigh has a helpful video in her HerniaTalk Youtube channel discussing the relative merits of US, MRI and CT imaging. She reports that observation of an inguinal hernia by US is definitive for primary hernias. However, she also noted early in the video that the presence of mesh and scar tissue from previous hernia surgery can render US imaging unreliable. MRI seems to be her preference in such circumstances.

If I have correctly interpreted her comments, then it would seem that the primary question is how reliable is the evidence that you actually have a hernia in the same region? If you are not confident in your surgeon’s opinion, then perhaps ask @drtowfigh for an assessment.

[Good intentions]

I don’t think that your doctors will take requests for the diagnostic methods that they should use. In other words, they will tell you what they think has happened but will not take the advice of a non-professional. It wouldn’t make sense to let the patient decide the diagnostic methods.

The best that you can do is to learn as much as you can about your hernia and the first repair attempt so that you can assess whether or not what the doctors are suggesting fits with what you know. At least find out what type of mesh was used. Ask them how a new hernia could appear if the mesh was supposed to cover all potential hernia sites.

Unfortunately, when problems occur after what is supposed to be a simple procedure there is a tendency to try to avoid the reality of a failed procedure and suggest that something new has happened. For example, in this case it would not be a surprise if the group that did the first repair calls what happened a “new” hernia, while a different surgeon, a second opinion, calls it a failed repair.

If it was me, I would go to the appointment with the group that did the repair, listen to what they have to say, then decide whether or not to get a second opinion. It won’t be surprising if they try to get you to commit to a second surgery to fix whatever has happened without doing any imaging at all.

Sorry to be so cynical.

[pinto]

I second that, great advice by Good intentions.

[Good intentions]

I would get the notes from the surgery to see what was found and how it was addressed. Tell them you want them for your records. You should be able to get them directly from the front office, either by phone or by filling out a form online.

To summarize what you wrote – you had a mesh implantation in March, felt better, but in May you had problems and had an ultrasound, which identified a hernia. It’s only been 3-4 months since the implantation. A recurrence after the repair of a “small” hernia seems odd.

Take time before making a decision to undergo more surgery. Make sure you have the right people to get it right. Every surgery is very traumatic to the body. Get a second opinion from a different group if you feel like something is not being disclosed.

Also, beware of working with people within the same group. In other words, make sure that you understand what happened and what they plan to do to make it right before you commit to more surgery. Many of these “groups” are actually partnerships, where each member has a vested interest to protect everyone else in the group. You could end up on an assembly line of people promising to try to help. Be careful. Good luck.

[Connie]

Thank you for the insight about the group practice partnership. What tests should I request to determine if tehre are more hernias before surgery?