ajm222
Forum Replies Created
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Gotcha thanks for the clarification. That perspective makes sense.
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True, though I guess the question is what would waiting avoid if you ultimately still end up getting it done. I wonder if the testicular pain is actually related to the removal of that nerve or something else. That area seems so complex and so many things are interacting with one another.
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Ah thank you that’s very helpful
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Interesting. Dr Belyansky had advised me that he tries to avoid cutting any nerves. Maybe he was talking about more major nerves. I’ve heard from some patients that have suggested after removal they have some serious issues after nerves were cut that involves even worse pain, and perhaps even sexual function issues. Hard to know what to expect. I had anticipated getting the mesh removed and have heard both that it’s safe in the right hands, but also some real horror stories. Still undecided. Want it out, but scared.
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Thanks, Dr. Brown. This all kind of started after the surgery. Dr. Belyansky has agreed to mesh removal. Didn’t think additional imaging would be necessary, though he did say it would’t hurt to potentially get an MRI and have someone take a look at the groin for muscle-related issues. I may see if he can recommend me for one to make sure I’m not missing anything.
Like the poster above, I also have been dealing with terrible sciatica issues in the last 6 months, but I don’t think it’s directly related, unless it’s because I’ve altered my posture. I have a little bit of a history if sciatica type issues prior to the hernia, and this didn’t start until almost 2 years after the surgery.
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I sent her a note and she said she’ll look into it right away.
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Yes. Dr. Towfigh should be alerted and have her web person fix. The site has totally gotten slammed with spam. Maybe I’ll message her on Twitter.
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ah ok thanks. i was afraid i’d fast forwarded through it.
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did you happen to address our question above? i listened to i think about 98% of the interview but didn’t catch it. just wanted to make sure i didn’t miss it.
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As mentioned, I will likely have my mesh (progrip) removed in the future by Dr. Belyansky. He does not intend to replace it with any mesh during removal surgery and has suggested that for the most part the original hernias he sees when removing robotically placed mesh have been scarred in with a ‘scar plate,’ and the chance of future recurrence is 5-10% after removal. I was just wondering what Dr. Brown’s opinion is concerning the scar tissue and it’s potential ability to protect from a future hernia if the original hernia (indirect) was fairly small. Additional info for me personally – 43 years old and healthy weight and overall health is good. Thanks.
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though i am now considering the possibly benefit of an MRI now given some of my symptoms first, just to be sure.
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this was great. really enjoyed listening to this, and very informative. still considering mesh removal (had to put on hold for obvious reasons) with dr. belyansky and feel better about doing it in the future give my two plus years of discomfort (though still shocked my case falls into the tiny percentage of people with difficulty given it was robotic lap with progrip). also would love to see dr. belyanksy spend an hour with you. and i look forward to the chat with dr. brown. thanks.
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Also meant to mention these doctors that Dr. Belyansky suggests besides himself:
Dr. Yuri Novitsky (New York)
Dr. William “Bill” Meyers (Pennsylvania) -
Dr. Belyansky is wonderful. I’m considering surgery with him in the fall. Consulted with him several times in person and on phone. His staff is also awesome. He’s arguably one of the very best at this, and most experienced. And you absolutely want that for such a major surgery. Other specialists rave about his technical skills. And his bedside manner is great. Cancelled my February surgery date because I got scared but may reschedule soon. He can definitely remove the mesh. He’s being more selective with patients now but still doing removal. You’d have to see him and make your case. Testicle loss is a risk but more rare. He’s never had anyone lose a testicle under his watch.
As for scar tissue, one year or ten shouldn’t really make a big difference. He’s removed mesh from people who have had it for ten years or longer. Doesn’t apparently make much of a difference after a certain point. It doesn’t just continue to get thicker and thicker forever. It’s my understanding that it tends to stabilize for the most part after a fairly short period of time. You might feel like the area is flaring up but I don’t think the scar tissue really changes much in terms of thickness or overall amount after a year or so. And whatever scar tissue is created as a result of the inflammatory process, it’s less than you’d actually imagine. Pretty much just kind of encapsulates the mesh.
It’s a major surgery that has its risks but in the right hands you should be good. And it sounds like you’re suffering a lot and absolutely shouldn’t have to live like that.
There are several other good surgeons – Dr. Towfigh that runs this site, Dr. Ramshaw, Dr. Brian Jacobs, Dr. William Brown. You can search the forums for them.
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dr. belyanksi has never had any of his removal patients lose a testicle yet. dr. towfigh explained that in experienced hands this was a very unlikely thing to happen. just one of those risks they want to make sure people are aware of. so i think with experienced surgeons it is rare or very rare. though i did just see a man on facebook who had his mesh removed by an experienced surgeon that has removed mesh of people here on this forum (Dr. Billings) and he is apparently going to have to have one of his testicles removed. i would think that something that is rare or very rare, would it would be even more rare to have both lost during surgery.
as for hormone therapy, i am sure that is an option. i just don’t know how effective it is.
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all surgeons i have spoken with, including dr. belyansky, have indicated that the area being operated on is not at all close to the nerves involved with sexual function. there should really be no direct risk of impotency or erectile dysfunction with the removal surgery. a small risk of the surgery is potential loss of a testicle, but if you only have mesh on one side then you wouldn’t be at risk of potentially losing both. even with the loss of one testicle, the other can produce enough testosterone for your body.
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i’ve seen a number of studies that followed a variety of patients for quite a long time, and there seems to be a fairly big drop off in pain after about 3 years compared to 6 months or 1 year. doesn’t necessarily mean everything is perfect (though in some cases it might), but I do think for some it can take quite a while. so i wouldn’t necessarily lose hope. i think slowly over time pain tends to continually decrease, even for those with quite a bit of pain.
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I’ll say that the regular pain and soreness for me did lessen quite a bit after a lengthy period of time – at around a year and eight months.
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This is very helpful info. Confusing though as to why I have tightness and discomfort and pulling after a robotic mesh repair. Seems like that would be very unusual. Not much pain and soreness, though some. But mostly just foreign body stuff. Very frustrating and it’s making me very hesitant to get removal despite knowing it definitely must be the mesh.
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Yeah, at two years I still don’t quite understand things. Seems sitting just leaves me stiff and a bit sore in my lower abdominal area. And I sit all day long. Definitely not back to ‘normal’ though I’m not sure what that even is anymore. And yet some days things aren’t too bad. So variable. It could just be the sitting all day every day that’s the biggest issue. Would explain why I felt better on vacation. Stood most of the day every day. And just walked a lot – no running.