Swollen Groin after Mesh Removal

[jgens99218]

Swollen Groin after Mesh Removal

Joy

My Email address is jgens99218@comcast.net. Feel free to contact me and we can further discuss any issues.

JG

[Joy]

Swollen Groin after Mesh Removal

Jgen, my heart goes out to you. I am in a similar situation, but being female, have different issues. I am 18 months post triple neurectomy and meshoma removal. I agree with many of your points but would caution folks that if they know the meshoma is causing problems, the earlier the better to remove it in terms of pain pathways being hardwired. It sounds like you have a wealth of wisdom you have earned. if you would like to join a “secret” facebook neurectomy support group where we can share tips for coping after this rescue surgery, please leave an email here which I can use to invite you. It will be a positive forum where we can talk frankly about what works for us and how to improve our chances for having the best life possible.

[fromindia25]

Swollen Groin after Mesh Removal

Hi jgen,

Thank you so much for your response. I think you are right when it comes to mesh implantation. I also had very minor hernia on right side and surgeon implanted me with prolene hernia system. Now I am having problem from this. Sharp pulling above hip bone. Burning sensations. It robbed me of my quality of life. Like you I talked to many mesh injured patients. They are just happy that mesh is out of there body otherwise they are still having problems. I am 4 months post operation. Also I don’t think mesh removal is done here in India…I just wish my symptoms improves with time. I am depressed.. Going to get married next year.. Hope it get better. My implanting surgeon never told me about complications due to mesh. If for once he told me about these horrific complications I would have considered having surgery but now nothing can’t be done. Just go with suffering and being positive is only option. Thank you so much for your response

[jgens99218]

Swollen Groin after Mesh Removal

Fromindia

This Friday will be 10 months since my mesh removal. As I have discussed previously in this thread my mesh removal has remedied the problems I used to have but have caused other issues. Currently my issues are what I believe to be nerve related. This is not uncommon with mesh removal as the nerves are almost always irritated, or damaged from the mesh removal process. Other potential damage includes but is not limited to transversalis fascia, spermatic cord, vessels & arteries (among other significant risks).

After 2 years of research and discussions with many of the leading hernia specialists in the country, mesh removal patients, hernia discussion forums, countless website testimonials, as well as my own experience, I have concluded the following (my opinion of course):

There is no real difference in risk whether you have mesh removed openly or laparoscopically. The school of thought is laparoscopic is less invasive? From an aesthetic point of view this is certainly true. However with laparoscopic surgery here is a lot going on with trocars and their manipulation as well as “blazing” a trail to the surgical site. good access to the surgical site should be considered with either method. Perhaps the most important thing to consider is who is operating on you.

Nerves: Technically nerves grow back. Do the proximal ends always end up joining to it’s distal end? Sometimes! Some people are more prone to feeling nerve related issues than others. Some people have no ill side effects from nerve damage or separation. Medications for nerve related issues, if they work, just mask the cause and do not cure anything. These medications also come with a whole host of side effects and withdrawal concerns. This also is true of anesthetic and or steroid injections. Nerve resection or Neurectomy is also a tricky business which can result in complete success or worsening of the original problem.

I am totally against the use of mesh to repair a simple hernia. In my case I believe that the mesh contraction caused most if not all of my problems. I also believe that the mesh that was implanted on my right side was not necessary and done more as a precaution (a somewhat common practice) although in my operative report my surgeon states “he did have a small hernia”. I believe that when mesh is implanted unnecessarily it lends to complications. In my case there was no hernia evident after my mesh removal. This was confirmed post operatively by my current hernia surgeon (an expert) through physical evaluation, Ultrasound and MRI. I think a pure tissue repair with absorbable sutures are your best bet. Is this method a higher risk for reoccurance?, Absolutely, you would then need to modify your physical lifestyle accordingly. There is just too many things that can go wrong with mesh and although the risk for complications from mesh are low, let’s say 1%, then if 500,000 operations are performed this year that equals 5000 people suffering in pain! The use of mesh should be limited to situations where there is no other viable alternative.

Now for the mesh removal issue. I believe mesh removal is a bad bet. I also believe people react to soon when they experience issues with their implanted mesh. Time is a great healer and although the pain and suffering is not good and difficult to bear, acting too quickly often times makes matters worse.

Given enough time (how long??) then the removal gamble MAY pay off. I think waiting at least 12-18 months would be a rough guideline and waiting even longer depending on the intensity and frequency of your pain. Make no mistake about it mesh removal surgery is very risky. Try to remember that mesh was not designed to come out once implanted. This stuff has to be “filleted” out of you so to speak while dodging an obstacle course of vital anatomical structures. Unfortunately once mesh is in you and you experience a problem with it then you have tough decisions to make. Also we do not know (surgeons or patients) everything about mesh, nerves, surgery, patients characteristics etc. No two people are quite alike.

Will I ever be the same as I was before mesh? Nope. The goal now is to have any current issues be manageable preferably without medication and enhanced through diet, lifestyle and physical/behavioral therapy. I feel I am slowly improving still and time will tell where I finally end up.

I know this is more than what you asked me but I felt compelled to write SOME of my feeling in this matter and hope that it helps others that are in a similar situation.

Good Luck, JG

[fromindia25]

Swollen Groin after Mesh Removal

Hi jgen.. Hope you are recovering well after your mesh removal. Just want to know how is things after your mesh removal by dr Peterson .

[drtowfigh]

Swollen Groin after Mesh Removal

Great
You are in good hands with Dr Lydon. Please let him know about HerniaTalk.
The MRI will show if there is a hernia recurrence. Also a careful exam and possibly a nerve block will address possible genital nerve injury.

Best of luck.

[jgens99218]

Swollen Groin after Mesh Removal

Hi Dr Towfigh

Let me start by saying Thank You very much for staying with my situation. I had an MRI done last Friday 12-18-15 and am awaiting the results. I am consulting with a local Hernia specialist in Massachusetts Dr Peter Lydon who is trying to help me. I still want to get copies of the MRI and my recent ultrasound and send them to you if you would like. I do believe my case is somewhat unique as I had Lap Mesh Removed via Open surgery. Also I am hoping if I ever make it through this half way in one piece that maybe my experience will help someone else.

I am doing a little better in the last few weeks but I also have developed some different and unusual pains in my scrotum but not in my testicle. The pain seems to radiate along the side of my Scrotum almost as far down to my anus and felt like a tightening for a few days and then burning for about 2 weeks off and on. Now seems tight again and sometimes itchy feeling. This new pain is also worrisome due to the onset of symptoms 5 Months post op and where the new pain is located?

Tomorrow I will be six months to the day and i still have the groin swelling as well which has gone down very little. as far as good news the odd and random shooting type pains in various parts of my upper thigh are either gone or have subsided substantially.

I must admit that I am very concerned with permanent nerve damage and or another hernia, if so this would have to be addressed by a competent surgeon experienced in this field. I will keep you posted once the test results are in this week. This has been extremely difficult for me and I am hoping in time things get even a little better.

It helps getting support and advice from you and I and the other forum members are extremely grateful.

Jim

[drtowfigh]

Swollen Groin after Mesh Removal

Hi there.
Any update on your situation? Were you able to find the help you needed?

[drtowfigh]

Swollen Groin after Mesh Removal

Then you need to evaluate the groin further. You may have a recurrence since the mesh removal so essentially you are feeling another hernia.

You really need to have a full evaluation of your operative report, symptoms, imaging, and eventually an exam.

Where do you live? Perhaps we can find you a hernia specialist nearby.

Alternatively, you can sign up for an online consultation with me. Go to http://www.beverlyhillsherniacenter.com

I recommend a valsalva CT scan or valsalva MRI

[jgens99218]

Swollen Groin after Mesh Removal

Dr Towfigh

I had the ultrasound done to determine if fluid was the cause of the swelling in my groin. The ultrasound came back negative and did not show any fluid accumulation? (Something is accumulated in there?) Today marks 20 weeks since my mesh removal. I am extremely concerned with the swelling in my groin. Although the swelling has gone down some what I am still very swollen and this also causes a lot of discomfort especially in the sitting position which i do all day long at my job. I am still experiencing a fair amount of off and on pain in the entire groin area as well with odd tightness/pains in various places in my thigh however this is intermittent and does not happen every day, Any further advise would be greatly appreciated. It just seems unusual to me that there is no logical explanation as to the cause and/or resolution of my problem other than time? If you are interested i can send you the Ultrasound and I would like to know what further testing or actions you think I should have done. I feel like this swelling is my main issue and most of the cause of my current pain issues.

Thanks in advance JG

[jgens99218]

Swollen Groin after Mesh Removal

Dr Towfigh

I am having the Ultrasound tomorrow. I will keep you informed as to the results. Hopefully this will help to determine the cause of the persistent swelling. I did have a hernia on my left side it was repaired at the same time as the right side (now removed right side mesh) I have not experienced any problems on that side. I want to thank you again for helping me with your sound information and recommendations. JG

[drtowfigh]

Swollen Groin after Mesh Removal

Ok, well let us know what the ultrasound shows.

The genitofemoral nerve is at risk for irritation or injury with removal of laparoscopically placed mesh. That causes symptoms to the upper inner thigh and/or upper anterior thigh below the groin crease.

Did you have a hernia repair on the other side?

[jgens99218]

Swollen Groin after Mesh Removal

Hi Dr. Towfigh

I appreciate the added response as I am very concerned with the swelling and what to do about it.

To answer your question.. The right side where my mesh was removed did not reveal a hernia so there was no additional repair. I was not even aware that I had a hernia on this side at the time of the initial hernia repair with mesh.

I spoke with the surgeon who removed my mesh and he said he thinks it is an Edema. He has not recommended a specific treatment however per your recommendation I will have an ultrasound done to see what it may reveal.

It is difficult for me right now since the operating surgeon is far away from where I live.

I also have some odd pains in my thigh feels like a tightening down the thigh to the knee sometimes on my inner thigh but sometimes in the front thigh area. This is not a pins and needles or burning sensation but a very strange pulling yet somewhat painful feeling. It is also sporadic but sitting I think aggravates it.

This website allows me to gather more information and suggestions so that I can recover optimally. Even the recovery process is very scary. All help is welcome.

Thanks JG

[drtowfigh]

Swollen Groin after Mesh Removal

Laparotomy for a laparoscopically placed mesh removal seems a bit extreme, but laparoscopic removal of laparoscopically placed mesh is performed by very few of us in the nation so sometimes you have no choice but to do what your surgeon is most experienced with.

Did you have your hernia repaired after the mesh was removed? If so, in what manner?

Seroma or hematoma fluid collections can be easily ruled out with ultrasound.

Did you communicate these findings with your surgeon? We have our out of town patients send us pictures or do followups by email, phone, even FaceTime as needed.

[jgens99218]

Swollen Groin after Mesh Removal

The pains and tightness from the mesh are gone. I have some new pains that are now getting better with time particularly in my lower most groin area just above my penis and about an inch or so from the mid-line and occasional weird feelings in my thigh. I will know more in time. Really confused with the swollen area but the swelling does not seem to contribute to any pain oddly enough?

[Chaunce1234]

Swollen Groin after Mesh Removal

The swelling should improve over time, but may take up to twelve months. Try a scrotal support (jock strap). Did the pain resolve?

[jgens99218]

Swollen Groin after Mesh Removal

I had the surgery done by Dr Petersen in Nevada. Yes this was an extreme measure I took but after writhing in pain for a year I had to take a chance. I did try Narcotics, Nsaids, Neurontin, Depo-Medrol Injections, Lidocaine patches, Tens Therapy to no real help. All these modalities never addressed the Cause.

Do you think the swelling in my groin is fluid/ If so do you think it will resolve overtime?

Thanks

[Chaunce1234]

Swollen Groin after Mesh Removal

JG – At 13 weeks, things are still not final. Won’t be for 6-12 months. Scar tissue is not inhibiting the fluid from being absorbed. May I ask where you went for you laparotomy and mesh removal? It seems like an extreme solution. DE