[William Bryant]

Thanks Faith for letting us know.

wWhat were the covid restrictions like?
How long did you stay at Gibbeum?

[William Bryant]

It’s a bit like that with mine but flatulence diminishes it.

[William Bryant]

Maybe prudent if an overseas patient stayed a few extra days. To minimise pain and aid recovery.
Is any pain relief prescribed?

[William Bryant]

Thanks Pinto.
What is the usual stay duration at the Gibbeum post op?
Brilliant that Dr Kang is sorting things out. Hope it goes well for you.

As far as UK is concerned I think you you’re right that the nhs does do watchful waiting as cost cutting… I’ll find out soon as I had my ultrasound last week and I expect I’ll see my doctor again in a week or two’s time. He will probably sat then what the next stage is: whether to wait or have op.

I’ll post update once I’ve seen him.

[William Bryant]

I think the article is aimed or originated in the USA. It takes no account of the fact that in other countries, Australia, at least, that hernia mesh repair is now categorised as high risk surgery.

And if it was just technique that led to pain, then restrict surgeons that can do it. In the UK for example, junior doctors can perform it I understand.

Also if it was technique, then surely figures of the type of surgeons facing lawsuits would reflect that and would be published to so prove it.

And nowhere is the point made that if non mesh fails – or repeatedly – fails, the patient then can always have mesh if so desired.

The case for mesh woukd also have a bit more credence if, as others pointed out, manufacturers didn’t sponsor conferences, research etc.

[William Bryant]

Surely if not fixed there would be more chance of movement and or folding etc?

[William Bryant]

Thinking about it, Good Intentions, the Shouldice clinic want people to life weight before surgery, UK NHS hospitals do pre surgery checks and they even have videos with exercises to do prior to some operations. So the fitter the better I’m guessing. For me though I’ve stopped the exercises I started, and which I think caused my hernia, so I’m in worse condition. I’m apprehensive of exerting with a hernia.

Also… Valsava… What is that?
Pinto mentioned having valsava ultrasound I meant to google it

[William Bryant]

Hello Katherine, ref hereditary… Some sites says yes some say no but the Beverley hills site says in their experience hernias run in the family very often.

In my own case I have one, my dad has one and my mum had one through coughing, the doctor manually reduced hers.

What hernia was it you had repaired years ago? Inguinal or another type?

Your watchful waiting lasted a long time so it gives hope to those who are considering that option.

[William Bryant]

I forget almost everything, which surgeon does what, who’s got good reviews, who does 2 layer, who does 4.

From memory, and mine isn’t reliable, some surgeons will only do shouldice for one and not the other. Some will do for both.

I’m sure there are differences but probably essentially the same.

Not sure that’s helpful but best I can do. I’d be interested in the answers too so good question to ask.

[William Bryant]

Less testing than medicines! I just wasn’t aware of that, Good Intentions. I’d always thought they’d be vigorous testing and regulations in place.

[William Bryant]

Thanks Johnso,

I didn’t know any of that so appreciate the post and links.

It is still baffling as to why when withdrawn, paused I think is the UK phrase, for one kind of problem it is not withdrawn/paused totally. Apart from the money side.

And the side stepping of usual safety testing is just as bad.

[William Bryant]

But if I’d stayed on the couch I doubt if have a hernia!

What is noticeable is that most people who have hernias on body building and mountain biking forums seem to have recovered pretty quick from surgery, so I’m wondering if it’s the less than active who get more problems post surgery.

[William Bryant]

What is the documentary called Alephy?

[William Bryant]

Mark T… If you do go to Shouldice Canada can you post how it be went… I am not sure anyone, anywhere has 100 percent positive though.

[William Bryant]

I know when mum was being diagnosed for something, the NHS went from xray to CT ti mri to contrast imaging. Each time they said they were not sure, images not clear.

So I think a lot depends, as has been said, on who does them and who reads them how proficient and expert they are.

Additionally, Pinto had pointed out an ultrasound should be “valsalva” to be most effective – I’m not sure what that means.

Whilst someone else has said their hernia was missed on imaging until one surgeon got an ultrasound done whilst the person was standing up.

Best of luck.

[William Bryant]

Brilliant Dr. Towfigh, thankfully there does seem to be a few who are aware of problems with mesh. In fact I think some of the tissue repair surgeons decided on that route after seeing the bad effects mesh can have. So yes definitely not all doctors and surgeons and you are right to correct me there!

I’d still like to know however why in the UK when the royal college of surgeons and the British Hernia Society have suggested a mesh monitor of the different types used to establish the more and least problematical, it still hasn’t been acted on as fast as I can tell.

The UK does also seem to be lagging behind in this going on how few non mesh surgeons there are.

[William Bryant]

Thanks Alephy,

Excuse my ignorance but what is PR? Also does PT mean physical training?

Finally what exercises do you do? And what would you suggest for a non physical person like myself that would help me… ,(I can’t swim).

Ironically I believe it was (over) exercising trying to get fitter due to fear of covid that may have caused my hernia.

I’m not overweight and bmi is in good level. I have avoided exercise since but am aware I will decondition.

I’m going to have to google meniscus now!

[William Bryant]

Thanks all… There are some very intelligent posters on here. Sadly I’m not one of them but I do appreciate the tutoring.

I’ll confess I had to Google omentum.

However, curing a Herbie was not me, my phone auto corrected that!

Anyway, in the light of the answers it does seem as though mesh is a bit of a bodge, yet it’s ‘sold’ as hi tech.

One thing I’ve often wondered is although banned for female vaginal use it is still permitted for hernia use. There should be a clue in there about it’s (possible) effect on the body.

Failing that, there should be some sort of test available by now to determine if adverse reaction is likely.

I recently read a publication by the British Hernia Society that included a recommendation to the effect that a log should be made detailing which meshes get worst reactions. Something the more erudite posters here have suggested too). I don’t think such a record or practice exists.

[William Bryant]

Also, why does not simply stitching the hole together not work?

[William Bryant]

I was thinking the other day (yes I do think from time to time sometimes) what they would have done years ago. The middle ages, Knights of the round table, crusades etc. There must have been hernias then.