[Beenthere]

I would hold off at least a year. The surgery that I think you are talking about is one of the treatments for PVP is called denervation of the spermatic cord. There are very few doctors performing this surgery. The other is Peri-Spermatic Cord Micro Cryoablation. Not sure what the outcomes are on either. [h=1][/h]

[Beenthere]

I am in Wisconsin and again my issues go back many years. At that time I could not find anyone in the Midwest that I would go to or trust for the type of surgery that you are possibly looking at needing, but things might have changed. Avoid Madison W i

I know have a sports hernia and the local expert when I asked how many has he done this surgery and the answer was significant! Since this is the same hospital system that caused all of my issues when my first Dr and staff said he did them all of the time and was an expert and found out afterward he had not done one in 18 months. I look at my current experts answer as dodging the question.

If your insurance covers it and can afford it go to California. I spent a little over a week recovering from my removal of mesh, IH on the left side and a femoral hernia on the right at the in laws in Florida but I could have gone home in a couple of days.

Hang in there and good luck.

[Beenthere]

Sorry to hear about your problems, it seem everyone makes it out that it is just a simple hernia, nothing to worry about.

Get copies of all of your medical records. Make sure they are correct. I was amazed out how much was missing or incorrect in mine!

If you can see one of the true specialists noted on this and a couple of other websites. Buyer beware there are a lot of so called experts but maybe only 10-20 real specialists in the US who try to fix what the others have done.

It is hard when you are in pain and the medical community makes you feel like you are the problem and it is a very rare occurrence.. My expert and staff stated he did hernia surgeries all of the time but years later I found out he had not done one in 18 months! and I was repeatedly told the hospital had a 8 or 9 % total problems post surgery but again I found a published study from this hospital that found they had a 25% post hernia pain 1 year after the surgery. If I would have been told the truth I would have never done the surgery at this hospital.

Good luck and ask the forum for any advise.

[Beenthere]

UhOh,

My problems started in 2010, surgery 2011 if you call it that. It took me 2 years to find a surgeon that I felt I could trust to fix the first surgeons damage.

I live about 2 hours from Chicago and it has been awhile so my information might be out of date. I could find no surgeon that was truly a specialist in the Midwest for hernia surgeries except for Ramshaw who was I think in St Louis at the time but moving to FL. I have heard that (I think it is Goldbeilt? not sure on the spelling) in Milwaukee is very good but it is a teaching hospital.

My original surgery was at a large teaching hospital and the surgeon stated he would do the entire surgery but in follow up visits he could not answer any questions about the surgery and I found out later that it was common for ghost surgeries to be performed at this facility. Again I recommend the book Unaccountable to read before having any surgery.

[Beenthere]

I agree with you on you pick the Dr but in reality with insurance companies dictating what dr(s) or healthcare system are approved by the insurance companies makes this next to impossible.

[Beenthere]

Went to the local expert today. From looking at the MRI he stated that my current issue would be under the sports hernia umbrella. He advised live with it for 6 months trying to avoid movements like in sports of hockey, tennis or soccer. PT not a bad idea.

[Beenthere]

Good intentions

I hate to write and I am not very good but I think we come from the same side of the debate. When this first started I requested no mesh, my surgeon quote an expert said it had to be done with mesh. I relented since at the time I was a complete novice of having a surgery. I think my post about no mesh and mesh with to possibility of recurrence in no longer on the site or very old. At my age in my 50’s if I was told the truth about mesh I would take my chances with no mesh and recurrence over mesh and the pain and other side effects post surgery. I found out after my surgery and even asking the surgeon and staff multiple times what about side effects or complication from this surgery. I was told less than an 8% total, only to find out this facility in fact had a 25 to 30 percent post surgical pain after one year. If I would have been told this I could of held off on this semi elective surgery.

When the problems started the facility thought it could be an allergic reaction to the surgical clips or the mesh. They tested me with the clips but both the manufacture and the facility that performed the hernia surgery would not provide a sample of the mesh so I could be tested. I even offered to buy a sample.

What I meant if I had a choice mesh or no mesh with a top specialist in this field I would go no mesh and take my chance on a recurrence. But if I had a surgeon like mine who had no clue on what he was doing (he used mesh) without mesh or a true specialist using mesh I would go with mesh.

I saw Dr for my sports hernia today but I found it interesting he stated for a sports hernia he is going back to an open surgery!!!!

My thoughts doing an open no mesh surgery takes more time and skill to right(patients prospective)than slapping in mesh!

[Beenthere]

Just got back from my local expert. He feels is is a tear and wait to see what happens in six months. Not really reduce activities but avoid movements like in soccer, tennis or hockey.

I trust Dr Goodyear but I hope other chime in here so you get more feedback on Dr Goodyear. I would have had surgery done by him but I had a place to recover in FL.

Good luck to you and let us know what he says.

[Beenthere]

No, I am in the Midwest, I am in a city with according to the hospital on of the best in the nation facilities. I met with Goodyear, Ramshaw and Yunis about 5 years ago before making my decision to go to Fl for my second surgery. I also had lengthy talks with Dr G in Cleveland and Peterson.

[Beenthere]

You are not that far from Philly. Dr Goodyear, has done something like 15,000 hernia surgeries and fixing others mistakes, great guy and takes time with you.. Sports hernia Dr Meyer also from Philly.

I think I have, only 2,200 miles away! Thanks

[Beenthere]

It can and I am going through pain and suffering for the third time. Find an expert. Good Luck

[Beenthere]

Take your time unless it becomes an emergency. Do your homework and ask a lot of questions. My expert turned out to have not performed a hernia surgery for over 18 months. I you can afford the time and money, travel to one of the names that keep coming up on this website. The knowledge, skill and experience have more to do with the outcome than mesh or no mesh.

I will post this again read this before surgery. https://www.amazon.com/Unaccountable-Hospitals-Transparency-Revolutionize-Health/dp/1608198383/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1519600171&sr=1-1

Good luck

[Beenthere]

Thanks for the post.

I have recommended this book many times on this website but here it goes again.

https://www.amazon.com/Unaccountable-Hospitals-Transparency-Revolutionize-Health/dp/1608198383/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1519600171&sr=1-1

My current Dr takes days to answer a question and there Radiologists do not like speaking to patients and seem to short cut the findings.

I did contact on of the sports hernia Dr’s on Friday night or Saturday via his websites contact page and was shocked that he took the time out of his Saturday night to contact me and this morning he had sent me an email asking follow up questions. Talk about old school and so refreshing.

[Beenthere]

Thanks, Good intentions

I agree with you on the current state of out medical system. I am tried of talking to quote professionals that can not even answers simple questions unless they on a script!

I did check the DR’s website and it looks like he does not do sports hernia surgery but depending on my next consult and moving forward I will inform next surgeon his name and contact information. I do have my post op report and images.

[Beenthere]

I tired teh tens unit with no luck at that time. In fact tried everything and no luck. Found out 2 years after my surgery I had a femoral hernia, when that was fixed the pain went away until a few months ago.

[Beenthere]

Thanks,

I have been on this forum for years but most of my older posts are not on the forum any longer.

2011 wrong and botched Inguinal surgery by a surgeon that I was told was an expert and performed hernia surgeries all of the time and had done well over 1,000 but I found out years later he had done none in the previous 18 months! For some reason it took him 1 1/2 to do a simple open inguinal surgery. Also he stated he inserted the mesh so tight it would never move, when asked post surgery what about the 3 main nerves he quoted not in the surgical field, stated he had to remove the inferior epigastric vessels don’t worry you are not a woman, so your chance of breast cancer is small. According to one of the top hernia surgeon he stated in his 15K open surgeries he had never had to remove the inferior epigastric! I think my original surgeon figuring out I was not a woman was about the only truthful statement and findings from him. Nothing in my pre surgiclal visits has any notes but two different dates with groin and genital exam. No recommended treatment or findings of any hernia or description of a hernia.

Slow recovery and about 7 weeks later while driving an extremely sharp pain and felt like a ripping in the area. Called the Dr. and no physical exam or imaging was performed but put on drugs.

About 5 years ago to this date, went to have the mesh removed and a small inguinal hernia on the other side fixed and the Dr. found a femoral hernia on the original hernia side. Pain gone and movement restored.. Nice to find out I had a potential fatal condition that supposedly one of the top medical care facility did nothing.

About 5 months ago on and off pain, discomfort, tenderness, feeling like I am stepping on small pebble in the area maybe(hard to describe) and when doing kegel’s if feels like the spermatic cord is rubbing on something. Saw the top sports medicine Dr. in the area who ordered MRI w/o valsalva and found the following

1. Findings consistent with partial tearing of the aponeurotic plate inferior
margin.(sports hernia according to him)
2. Mild primary degenerative changes of the pubic symphysis.
I have the images and report.

Scheduled to see a GENERAL SURGEON next week at the same hospital as my first surgery(you can imagine how I feel about this and this hospital sent a star NCAA football player to Germany to have his sports hernia done, confidence builder) and PT set up. Is ART better than PT alone for therapy?

I can see anyone in the nation and with my prior surgeries I think I need to see someone that really knows what they are doing with my past surgeries. Meyer, Brown and Burnt are names that keep coming up. I now know all about inguinal and femoral hernias and who to see but this is new to me.

By the way, I think my original surgeon is now the director of general surgery at a large teaching hospital!!!!

[Beenthere]

Last one of my old posts

What ?s should surgeons be asking their patients?

Thanks for the reply’s. What concerns me is a multiple of issues in my long hernia journey. My case should have been I think pretty straight forward, if I had been given a Surgeon according to my very specific requests. I was told by the person who set up my initial appointment that he was a highly trained hernia specialist that performed hernia surgeries all of the time. I just found out that he had performed 0 in the 18 months leading up to my presurgical consult and that it was known that this quote world renowned hospital had a known 25 to 30 percent 1 year post surgery pain rate. Here is some background. My hernia occurred during a bad coughing spell at the site of the surgery for aN open appendicitis operation about 30 years ago. I will use this from another post ” It is just right of midline between my belly button and pubic bone”. My GP’s PA did the initial diagnosis and said it was a inguinal hernia. The quote expert hernia GS did two separate inguinal exams on different dates both lying down and standing and could not find anything and asked where is the bulge and I pointed to the spot described above. In his notes there is no mention of this, his findings or diagram of the hernia location. A couple on months later it was getting slightly worse for protruding and pain, plus when driving the top of the lap belt ran across it. So I decided to go ahead and have it fixed. So here is were this leads to in this post.

I was told by every staff member of this Doctor by phone or during consults which there were three, how great of surgeon, his current training and knowledge, that he performs them all the time and excellent outcomes at this clinic at 8% or less total problems and/or complication. So after the surgeon and his staff went thru what to expect and was given the little booklet here are my questions to the doctor which I asked.

When I left the first consult watchful waiting and open surgery.

This is what I asked to his PA and what I was told. second consult for surgery work up

How many has he done – performs them all the time since coming to the hospital about 18 months.
Will he perform the entire surgery – we do not have techs so a resident will only assist. She also stated that the resident would be the only non licensed person in OR. It would only be the surgeons highly trained and experienced team in the OR.
Gave the name of a class mate that is anesthesiologist that I would not be comfortable with doing the gas – Agreed but not noted in notes plus told the that it would be a highly experienced general anesthesiologist doing the gas.
Asked about metal-no metal to be used – absolvable sutures were to be used.
What is there are complications or pain post surgery – we have a world renowned specialist on staff for post pain to resolve the issue.
Surgery changed to Lap.

Second consult with surgeon 3rd total. Changed back to open surgery. When I asked why no reason given. But again this is supposedly one of the best hospitals in the nation and being told constantly how great my surgeon is I except this.

Questions I ask the surgeon.

How many times have you done this type of surgery – well over 1,000
Are you going to perform the entire surgery – yes according to their residents exit survey the residents might perform up to 90% of the surgeries at this hospital.
What about current training – I am up on all current techniques for open hernia surgery
What or how do you deal with the three main nerves – We agreed he would locate and preserve. When asked after the surgery about why no note in post op about two of the nerves were not reported I was told not in the surgical field of vision.
What type of mesh to be used – We agreed on lightweight mesh. Heavyweight(PMII) was used and he could not answer why but another PA stated he performed so few since coming to this hospital that he might not have known approved types available.
Time of recovery – 6-8 weeks to be fully recovered.
Can I travel by plane in 10 day s- no problem
Side effects and complications – listed seroma, hematoma and infection as the three main ones. The writer of a study that found they had a 25% post pain issue was in the consult room at the time and said nothing. Also I had two previous surgeries in the general area and never mentioned a possible loss of testicle. Less than a week after the surgery the doctor stated he inserted the mesh a tight as possible
Pure tissue surgery – no can not be done that way.

I now know that I forgot to ask two important questions-Why are you recommending open over lap and if doing it open why are you recommending a general over local.

I think I asked the right questions and was given the answers they wanted me to hear, that led me to consenting but after my surgery and reviewing my history plus what I have found I believe I was intentional missed informed.

That is why I stated this and Dr. Goodyears forum along with the book unaccountable should be required by consent it obtained.

Doctor Towfigh if you or the other mediators would like to review my history I would be more than happy to forward them to you.

Thanks again for all of your time and help you provide to this group

[Beenthere]

Another post I did

What ?s should surgeons be asking their patients?

HI Groundfaller,

I hope things are better for you. What you describe sounds very much like my experience. As soon as my condition worsened about 7 weeks post surgery I found out the truth about my quote expert hernia surgeon who supposedly performed a large number of hernia surgeries with less than 8% total side effects and complications prior to mine. Afterward when I got worse, I was told the surgeon had no idea what was wrong since he performed so few hernia sugeries. Six years post surgery I just found out he had done a whopping 2 hernia surgeries(just days before my operation) before mine in the previous 18 months. What is also shocking he is now posting online as a surgeon at a Hernia Clinic. And according to a report I received if accurate he did not perform one hernia surgery between 2011 and 2015.

When my problems started it was me that was the problem and was bounced from different specialist to different specialist but when questioned they had no real expertise in this matter unlike the moderators on this site. I finally got new insurance and paid out of pocket to go to one of the real hernia experts to be fixed. Less than a week after corrective surgery I was without the previous pain, walking normally and even spent 11/2 days spectating at an auto race, meaning I was walking the whole day.

I agree with your “First and most importantly, there needs to be more dialogue and more time spent working with the patient. For lack of a clinical term, don’t leave your patient with “lost cause syndrome.”” statement.

I firmly believe that every hernia patient should be given this website address, Dr Goodyears website address and be given a copy of the book Unaccountable before surgery unless an emergency. This would give the patient a much better understanding and true picture of what is to come.

Next there should be a complete checklist that both the Dr. and patient need to check all of the boxes on all aspects of the surgery before the informed consent.

Than the patient should be given a complete copy of all presurgical visit notes and the agreed upon surgical treatment plan to take home and review to make sure it is accurate and complete. I thought I covered all the bases with my surgeon and his staff prior to my surgery, but when reviewing my medical history post surgery I found they failed to note any of the agreed upon treatment plans and none of my history was accurate and no notes by the doctor on the location of my hernia. Here is one example: The doctor agreed that he would locate all three nerves and preserve them. Post op notes states only the inguinal nerve found and preserved. When asked about why the other two nerves were not noted in the post surgical report it was stated that the other two nerves were not in the surgical field of vision on an open procedure.

Informed consent should be given at the last appointment before surgery to be taken home and read at ones own time frame and reviewed by a lawyer if so desired. Instead of being given seconds before you are being wheeled to the operating room.

Again I hope everything is better.

[Beenthere]

I hope I am not too late. I wrote this a long time ago on this forum and I hope this helps

top hernia doctors in georgia or tn

Hi Momof4,

This might be a little long. Sorry

If you can get and read Unaccountable by Martin Makary before your next appointment. This might help you with some questions and what to look for. I think it took me about 4 to 8 hours to read. https://www.amazon.com/Unaccountable-Hospitals-Transparency-Revolutionize-Health/dp/1608198383

I hope I have given some good advice and have been clear and concise. I am the worst writer and it is very hard for me to put my thoughts into a written message. This is about the hardest thing I can do.

Your story and what you have gone through is way above what I had to deal with and I know exactly how and what you are going through. I hope wherever and whoever you decide on gets you back to your presurgery condition.

I am a lay person and I am giving you my personal thoughts. You need to go by what you feel is best and which Dr. you trust the most. Out of all of the General surgeons here in the US, I am guessing that their might be 50 to 200 that specialize in hernia surgery. Remember it is just a hernia, just a simply surgery! The number of the true expert/specialist might be around 20 or so with only 1-10 that have knowledge, experience and skills to truly know when they start a surgery like what you need and to understand what is presented to them and how to fix what is or has been broken. You already saw Dr Chen supposedly one of the best. What was his surgical plan?

I have never been to your state or have any knowledge of VCU or any information on the Dr. I think you are seeing but I have personal experience with member of the GS staff at VCU I could never recommend that surgeon and I would be very leery of a hospital that has this surgeon on its staff. VCU and the Dr. you are seeing could be the best in the world but go slowly.

On robotic surgery. It is fairly new to hernia but has been used in other area’s but it is only as good as the surgeon and their skill using it. My parents have a very good friend who had a bad robotic surgery by quote one of the best in the nation. The person who had to surgery was a research Dr. working on a cure for one major disease, graduated from the same school that did the surgery and had complete trust in them. He is one of the most interesting person and nice guys you would meet that know about every issue you could think of. After the surgery the Dr. dropped him like a hot potato and would not speak with him. Shortly afterword he got an infection that almost killed him. Last time I spoke to him he was a broken man a shadow of himself. Very sad. I also saw this same Dr. and wanted to do a different type of surgery but roboticly. Interesting he recommended this surgery with no imaging and when pressed about if he was going to do the entire cutting edge surgery it was like deer in headlights, he froze and could not answer the question. He finally did state that he would be present in the OR with a resident doing the surgery. Goodbye. I would rather have the best/skilled hernia surgeon in the world with 30 to 50 year old technology without mesh than an average general surgeon with a robot with mesh doing my surgery.

Here are some of the questions I would ask the Dr and every person on his staff that you meet. Go in with your eyes wide open and your radar on.

How many years have you been licensed. Also check with the state for any complaints.

How many hernia surgeries have you done the entire surgery. What types hernia surgery and open or lap.
This is a teaching hospital at the one that I have my surgery I found out up to 90% are done by a resident.

Are you going to perform the entire surgery. If not why, who is and what is their experience.

How many have you done in the last year. Success rate. What were the problems.

How many corrective surgeries. How many cases like mine. Results.

Do you have your own surgical team.

Do you have any research grants or financial connections to any of the products to be used in the surgery.

How many robotic surgeries have you done. How many hernia with robotic. How many corrective hernia robotic. Outcomes. There are many Dr.s who are getting money to use robotic surgery to expand the types of surgeries done and prove the concept.

Can I get a copy of the video of the procedure.

Are you a state employee and do you have extra legal protection against law suits. My state there is such a small amount that a state Dr can be sued for, that no lawyer will even talk to you about a lawsuit. The hospital keeps this very close to the vest and does not disclose this fact.

What is your surgical plan and outcome you expect.

recovery time for this complex surgery.

Who will be performing the Gas. Their years of experience. How many surgeries have you done with them.

Get and read the informed consent before signing and surgery

Who is going to be in the OR. Mine was only to be one resident to assist him. But it was One resident, one fellow, two medical students plus his personal surgical team was listed as floaters and the surgeon could not answer any questions afterword on any part of my surgery. It might have been a ghost surgery.

I am sure there are more questions to ask. Some surgeons are put off by questions, since they think whatever they tell you you should just say yes and agree with them.

Trust your sixth sense. Get a copy of all of your medical records and before going ahead with the surgery get a copy of this upcoming appointment. I found out after my surgery that the surgeon did not have any history or progress notes and any of the agreed treatment plan in my medical history

I hope this makes some sense. I wish you the best and if you have any other questions just ask. Again sorry for being so long.

Get the book Unaccountable.

This took me the last day to think this out and over an hour to write this.

Good Luck

[Beenthere]

Check out Dr Yunis if he is still practicing in Sarasota. I would trust with Goodyear and Ramshaw.