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Serious need of finding the top Doc for mesh removal
I’m absolutely lost. I don’t know where to turn/who to trust regarding my pains and future. I had a left inguinal hernia repair with mesh laparoscopically in 2018. Ever since then life has not been the same. I have lost some feeling in my genitals, along with urinating being difficult, and other issues. A year after surgery I first saw a specialist who didn’t see much wrong with the mesh after diagnostic imaging. I decided to avoid mesh removal, and deal with the pains. Fast forward today I am dealing with pain on the left along with the right. I saw Dr. Meyers in Philadelphia who diagnosed a plate detachment, along with the mesh being a cause for the pain. I am doing PT for my right area that is hurting and I’m actually getting some relief, however the left side with mesh is at an all time high with pain. My mesh pain does not hurt everyday, but when it does it really messes with my head. I was fortunate to speak with Dr. Brown prior to his retirement who bet the right side would resolve if the mesh is removed. I feel as though time is of the essence to get this mesh removed. Specifically with sex hurting, or with it keeping me up, it has been a real burden on me mentally and physically. The roulette that is played every day can wear on a guy. I’m 25 and just trying to get on with life. I have now been looking at other Doctors for removal. However, I don’t know who to trust. I am looking at Doctor Jonathan Yunis in Florida and his reviews seem phenomenal. What’s interesting is that for diagnostics, he wants a CT scan with Valsalva. I was never prescribed that by the other specialists I have seen. So this is promising, it’s just a rollercoaster of pains and questions/second guessing. Does anyone have advice on how to approach this and when to truly be satisfied with finding the person to do my operation? Is natural tissue truly the best repair? My ideal outcome is simple. I get the mesh removed, maybe even regain some sensation in my genitals, have no pain, and have my body function as nature intended. This is the perfect scenario, and I realize can’t be guaranteed. I hope someone can shed some light on my troubles 🙂
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10 Replies
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Hi Wes, from one Philly guy to another, I would definitely consider Dr. Yunis in Sarasota if I were contemplating mesh removal. Since I am late to respond considering your mesh removal situation, I sincerely hope that any outcome you decided has been positive. I had Yunis perform a two layer Shouldice inguinal hernia surgery in August 2021. The results have been outstanding, and the lower abdomen looks firmly toned like before I acquired the hernia. Dr. Yunis is from NY and is an exceptional surgeon who will give you the best view on your mesh removal. Reports have mentioned he removes the mesh and then, if possible with remaining tissues, will do a no mesh surgery. My input here is that I got to know Yunis the man a little, and he is a solid no nonsense guy who really cares in providing successful outcomes. It seems like you had already contacted him, or his awesome admin helper Melanie, regarding the CT scan input, so perhaps you have already followed through. My message is that Dr. Yunis would be the first doctor I would talk to about getting mesh removed. He runs a first class operation and he gets exceptional results at quite fair prices. I am living proof of such results. Wes and others, I wish you all the very best regarding mesh removal.
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I had my bilateral inguinal/femoral hernia mesh REMOVED by Dr.Chen on 7/28/21. the mesh (2 pieces large Bard 3d mesh) was implanted here in bend oregon by dr mastangelo June, 2019. pain was killing me for 2 years. I found dr chen after research on removal docs, including drs Brown, Petersen, Towfigh, and chose him for initial consultation. he assessed what he suspected was the issue, mesh folded/clamshelled, he ordered a new MRI to be sent to him so he could see. had video conf with him 4 weeks later and he showed me the MRI and described it as riding too high and possibly folded/clamshelled, but tough to discern w/o seeing first hand. scheduled robotic surgery. another pre-op conference went over all risks and procedure itself. I’m now 7 weeks and 2 days out from removal and while sore from removal in abdomen, all mesh was removed, no nerves cut, swelling down 95%, a little right testicular sensitivity when bending, but diminishing incrementally weekly. all this to say that I am very happy thus far with dr chen. yes, he has a very small waiting room at UCLA, smaller given seating restrictions courtesy of COVID. he is very friendly, down to earth, comprehensive in his description of what he believes may be the issue, is not a zealot for mesh although he does use it. can do non-mesh, but depends….I don’t think there are ANY absolutes in this field unless you can see the future. he also planned to do tissue repair, if warranted, but he found NO hernias on left side, but on right side found inguinal and golf ball sized fat filled femoral, and he covered both with smaller, lighter Progrip mesh, as opposed to what was used prior. he did use robotic, although probably does laparoscopic as well. he’s head of the Lichtenstein Institute there at UCLA, covered under Medicare and BC/BS if that’s an issue. fyi, I’m 68, and have been dealing with Psoriatic Arthritis for 5 years as well, so my recovery may take several more months before I can jump on my road bike and train for the TDF! hope this helps.
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I’m really disappointed to hear Doc Brown retired, if indeed he did. Also sorry to hear @Wes Adair you are ailing so. My best to you that you get the help you need. Finally, much appreciated to @drtowfigh and to @Goodintentions for your helpful replies. Hey, both of you, great to hear the shop talk between doctors in the linked video. Fascinating. Again, @Wes Adair, hang tough buddy.
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I put together a short summary of my experience with mesh removal in another thread. I have linked it below. I also found a few more threads that might help your search, which I will link in separate posts (the forum software tends to balk at too many links).
The COVID situation still makes choices difficult, but you might consider flying to Germany to see Dr. Muschaweck, or going to Canada. Many of the other developed countries actually are cheaper to have medical care in than the USA, surprisingly. The US system is bloated and aligned solely with insurance companies and large institutions. The individual is alone once they get outside the “system”. It’s a shame but that’s the way things are today. Best to realize that early so that you can be prepared for the struggle.
Here is my experience with mesh removal. It’s a long-term project but progress is steady and upward.
https://herniatalk.com/forums/topic/healing-from-mesh-removal-surgery/
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I just watched the Yunis interview and am impressed by his thinking and methods. When he removes mesh he does not assume that a previous surgeon made a mistake and implant more mesh. He just removes the mesh and plans to do an open pure tissue repair if there is a future recurrence. In other words, he accepts the fact that the mesh might be the problem for that specific patient. Somebody recently posted about having mesh removed but then a new piece was implanted. I hope that they are doing well but it’s hard to imagine the thought process behind the decision from the surgeon.
The Yunis video is worth watching. The two sides of mesh or no-mesh are represented at the end. Kind of fascinating.
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Dr. Yunis does seem like he is worth considering. I think that somebody just had a non-mesh hernia repair from him and was impressed, I found th epost, and linked it below.. I have linked Dr. Towfigh’s Q&A interview with Dr. Yunis below also.
Where are you located and what is your financial situation? I did not know that Dr. Brown had retired. It is unfortunate that surgeons who will remove mesh might be leaving the field, with no replacements. In the Pacific Northwest, Dr. Wright of UW Medicine will remove mesh robotically, and leave nerves intact if asked. Dr. Peter Billing of Kirkland WA has removed mesh, via standard TAPP methods, but I just noticed that his web site has all hernia related topics removed. He might be distancing himself from the field.
There are still people left who will help you though. I posted Dr. Billing’s web site link below, he would be worth a try. He removed mine and I think that he was the best choice for me.
Good luck.
Dr. Yunis –
Gettinganxious had a hernia repair from him not too long ago. Maybe he will respond. @gettinganxious
https://herniatalk.com/members/gettinganxious/
Here is the interview video.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xcS6imYt-bA
Dr. Billing
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Dr Jonathan Yunis is an excellent choice. Watch some of my videos on HerniaTalk LIVE Q&A, often with fellow colleagues who I feel are excellent surgeons, including with Dr Yunis.
They are all here: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLE8ktjTveCSj2bolgVx04773sbYIG_5S6
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As was I when speaking with him. He really is an amazing person, but I’m looking forward to finding the right guy. I’ll get better hopefully.
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Thank you so much for your reply. Your username couldn’t be more accurate 🙂
I’m located in Philadelphia, with insurance not covering much unfortunately. I am working on getting the imaging done for Dr. Yunis, and will go severely in debt if it means my health. No amount of money is worth saving for the best care. May I ask how your recovery went? You can message me privately if you’d like. I’d love to hear from you.
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