ajm222

That’s really interesting, though it’s probably safe to say that in 99% of the country we’re still in “peak mesh” times. These changes start slowly though and this is good news.

Got it, that’s helpful. I had a mesh placed robotically and likely to have it removed the same way. The expectation (and hope) is that there is enough scar tissue and no hernia present, and it stays that way with no further repairs needed. Hope you get your nerve issues sorted out. Sounds like your recovery went pretty well otherwise, which…[Read more]

thank you. i think i initially was confused and thought your mesh was purely posterior and removed robotically. but it sounds like it was a mesh placed openly for the most part originally?

Hey Ben –

Out of curiosity, did you have any other repair done, or did they just remove the mesh and there was enough scar tissue to hold things?

Thanks

Perhaps in reality, the area behind the muscle wall after removal is so damaged that it impacts sensation and feeling and function on the other side. I could see that. But they suggested the tissue itself would be undisturbed. I was also interested to hear Dr. Towfigh suggest that very little actual tissue is removed during removal surgery – the…[Read more]

Understood. But from a surgical perspective there’s a difference between the anterior and posterior surgical realms of course, and these two surgeons suggested in fact that surgery via open method after robotic mesh placement and removal would still be working with virgin tissue. I always forget which is anterior and which is posterior. So yes, t…[Read more]

“But if you have mesh problems you can never go back to a pure tissue repair.”

I would add that in fact it’s my understanding it would be possible to get a pure tissue repair after mesh if the mesh was placed and removed robotically. Both Belyansky and Procter advised me that an open tissue repair would be feasible if mesh was placed and removed…[Read more]

Yeah, doing a bilateral removal would also have me very cautious about removal. Of course, Good Intentions can speak to that. I believe he had both done but in separate operations?

I really think the outcomes are dependent on a lot of factors, but factors we sort of understand to some degree now. In my case, I had robotic mesh, and the removal…[Read more]

Yeah, it’s a tough position to be in. What did Yunis recommend? I think in my case I’ve gotten to a similar point in the last month or two where it’s still there but it’s not bothering my psychologically as much. And the main thing that was bugging me (weird discomfort in lower abdomen has finished a lot). But I’m also worried any day it’ll ‘fl…[Read more]

Ah, that’s right. Now I remember your situation. In my case, my problems started kind of from the beginning, in terms of the soreness. The worst of the foreign body sensation in my lower abdomen didn’t really start until a few months after surgery, though. But I have heard that is often the case – as the body kind of deals with the mesh and…[Read more]

Thank you for the comments, and same to you!

What did Dr. B end up suggesting?

I think in my case that while the soreness comes and goes, the foreign body sensations likely won’t go away even with therapies like shots or whatever. Maybe I’m wrong, but Dr. B also confirmed that they aren’t likely to be permanent or help that much. Perhaps it’s…[Read more]

Forgot to mention that my surgical plan is to simply remove the mesh and do nothing else, hoping the scar tissue will hold things in. If it doesn’t, then I can get a tissue repair via the open method at some point down the road. I had my mesh inserted robotically, and it would be removed the same way, which means it’s highly unlikely any major…[Read more]

Hey Peter –

Thanks for the advice! Yeah, that’s the other thing messing with my head – knowing that surgery isn’t guaranteed to improve things, and could potentially make them much worse. Or it could change my life for the better. Dr. Belyansky is my surgeon. I have confidence in him. But I know that even he would admit nothing is guaranteed when…[Read more]

Just read somewhere that a hydrocele can go away on its own in about 6 months. in your case, give its likely ‘unnatural’ cause, that may not be the case. but would be interesting to see if watching and waiting might see some resolution of the problem, which of course would be preferable to any additional surgery. is it uncomfortable or painful?

Hey James – you had indicated in the past they lingering tightness was an issue, maybe because of scar tissue. After another 5 or 6 months, does this seem to be improving at all?

I think you’ll be fine. The risk is more theoretical. If you can avoid them, do so. But if they think it will help it’s probably fine. I also have prostate cancer history with my dad.

I looked into this very thoroughly when I got my first ct scan and ultimately the fewer the better obviously. Abdominal ct scans give you a pretty high dose of radiation in particular compared to others. But it’s one of those things that’s really hard to just say X number is too many. Lots of variables, lots of assumptions, lots of math, and ult…[Read more]

also, the surgery itself is pretty traumatic to the abdominal area i guess and there can be some remodeling of tissue that lasts a while. hard to say for sure. there can also be referred pain to areas around the surgery.

It sounds more sore than a sharp nerve-type pain. That’s the good news if so. Sometimes the soreness can last a really long time and then dissipates after a while. You might be having a stronger inflammatory response. Doesn’t mean it will definitely go away, but for some 3 months is still ‘early’. Nerve pain is the really sharp shooting disabling…[Read more]