[Arkj93]

Hi Good intentions,

Thanks for your reply, I appreciate the input and guidance. I believe that my original surgeon had his hernias repaired bilaterally in a similar fashion as I did (laparoscopic TEP). Unfortunately I was very naive about the complications of mesh surgery and at the time I just thought “well if it’s good enough for my surgeon it’s good enough for me.” I had heard about some of the stories of mesh on tv and seen the ads, and I was skeptical about the mesh, but ultimately I feel like I was “sweet talked” into getting the mesh implant. In my case I believe it was just the one piece of Parietex, standard size.

One thing that really frightens me is that the mesh might’ve adhered itself to a major vessel such as the epigastric or iliac vessel. I am aware that in those cases a piece of the mesh will be left behind indefinitely. I can definitely “feel” the mesh in the inguinal area and to my midline and I suspect it reaches almost to my hip bone but I can’t be sure. It also boggles my mind that some of the other mesh complication patients including yourself waited for years to have the mesh removed, when for me it feels like the passing of every day is agonizingly slow and I am struggling to keep a level head until I can see my surgeon of choice.

Be well,

AJ

[Arkj93]

Hi mitchtom,

Thanks for your reply. How long ago did you have your surgery? I also agree that Dr. Belyansky is one of the best, and if I lived closer to Maryland I would definitely see him. Unfortunately for me it is more of a logistical and financial challenge to see him especially since he is out of network. I have seen some of his videos of mesh removal on Youtube and he always appears to get the mesh out as carefully as possible. I have also read a lot of good things about his knowledge as a surgeon and his bedside manor. Truthfully he would be my top choice if money was no object. My primary doctor has recommended me a surgeon in my area named Dr. Lucas Beffa who specializes in robotic surgery. I am a little nervous though that he has enough mesh removal experience (he is young). I think picking a doctor to perform mesh removal is one of the trickiest decisions. I have also read good things about Dr. Earle in MA.

One thing that never ceases to amaze me is how much I identify with other mesh complication patients in the things that they describe. I too get spasms in my lower abdomen muscles and at the top of my thigh although they are less frequent. Sometimes I take magnesium and it seems to help a little bit. The worst thing for me is probably the burning/stinging pain that sometimes travels down my leg and to my hip bone and also the feeling of friction and the mesh poking into me that won’t go away. To the best of my knowledge, I was also progressing normally until about 3 or 4 months out from my initial surgery. The only “event” around then that I can remember is that I was helping out my parents plant a couple of bushes in their yard. Now I am just trying to be patient as I wait to have the consultation with the surgeon.

I wish you luck on your journey to recovery as well.

AJ

[Arkj93]

Hi patient,

As a person who underwent mesh repair last year I believe you are better off with a pure tissue repair and if I had the choice to go back I would choose this option as well. I was diagnosed with a small inguinal hernia and despite being skeptical of the mesh I decided to undergo mesh surgery because it was offered as a less painful option to open non-mesh repair. Most surgeons who use mesh tell you that you will be fine in 3-6 months and some say even sooner but if you look around these forums, on facebook groups and other places around the internet there are many people who will say otherwise. Since my surgery I have had an intense foreign body reaction (feeling the mesh inside me at all times), and an over all feeling like there is sandpaper inside of me. It is tough to describe all the sensations I feel in my leg, hip, and groin since I have never felt anything like this before, but I can tell you all does not feel normal and I wake up and go to sleep every day wishing I never had the mesh put in me.

[Arkj93]

Hi GoodIntentions,

Thank you for sharing this. I believe as time goes on the use of mesh for hernia repair will become more and more controversial.. It seems that many surgeons are either ignorant on the topic of mesh related complications or simply choose to deny that they exist, possibly to protect themselves from litigation. One question I have always asked myself is whether or not surgeons are able to receive ‘kickbacks’ for their use of certain mesh products on patients, similarly to how pharmaceutical companies in the past have paid doctors to prescribe their medications. Regardless, it seems like the companies that produce these devices have too much influence over all, which leads to an unnecessary number of mesh implants in patients when other methods could have been be used.

[Arkj93]

Hi Ben999,

Thank you for sharing your story. It is good to hear from someone who had a positive outcome especially for those of us who may be contemplating mesh removal. I had mesh implanted for an inguinal hernia repair almost one year ago and have been having problems ever since. I am only 26 and the last year has been the most challenging mentally and physically for me. Your story gives me hope that I can go back to living mesh free and pain free.

[Arkj93]

Hello,

I just thought I would add my two cents on this. I had mesh placed for inguinal hernia in the groin and I also struggled with this idea of having it inside my body especially after reading all the horror stories. My recovery was almost a year ago and at times it has been tough but it seems to be getting better albeit very slowly. The anxiety of having the mesh can seem overwhelming at times but it will get easier and eventually you don’t think about it as much. The full recovery can take up to a year so just try to be patient. I know that is easier said than done but just don’t read too much into it. And if you are having severe pain like from an entrapped nerve then yes you could find a surgeon to remove it. Hopefully Dr Towfigh who runs these forums will have an input as well.

Take care!

[Arkj93]

Hi Dr Brown,

This is my first post, but I have been a long time reader in this forum. I had TEP laparoscopic inguinal hernia repair surgery last year. I figured I would offer my input on the topic of CBD! I have been a user off and on of CBD for a few years now. Although I have never used it for pain specifically (I have struggled in the past with anxiety, mood disorders), I know that a lot of people use it for pain relief. I have read that it can attenuate certain pain stimuli, and also can provide an anti-inflammatory effect in the body. Although most states require a license for access to medical marijuana, there can be CBD derived from legal hemp products as well (although hemp products are generally less potent). One thing to note with your patients is that CBD seems to inhibit a liver enzyme that breaks down certain classes of drugs, similar to how eating grapefruit will affect the metabolism of statin drugs. Here is a link to an article that talks about that more https://www.projectcbd.org/science/cannabis-pharmacology/cbd-drug-interactions-role-cytochrome-p450. The ProjectCBD website is also a great resource to learn more about CBD and other compounds commonly found in cannabis. I believe that CBD is generally regarded as safe and I have also heard great things about people using cannabis as an alternative to opioid painkillers.

I hope this helps!

[Arkj93]

Hi [USER=”2787″]BronxApple[/USER] ,

thank you for this post. I had laparoscopic mesh surgery 9 months ago and this post gave me hope that there will be improvement. Lately I am still dealing with some soreness in my testicle and hip area. My primary doctor thinks that the scar tissue around the mesh is causing the area to feel tighter than normal and it could take a while for that to go away. It has definitely been an up hill battle but I am glad that there is a light at the end for us. I really don’t want to have complications or have the mesh removed especially since it hasn’t even been a year yet.

Regards,
-AJ