[Chaunce1234]

Also a detailed patient report (with photos) for a bilateral Shouldice repair at Shouldice in Canada here:

https://shouldiceherniarepair.wordpress.com/

[Chaunce1234]

Stumbled into a detailed report of another individuals Desarda surgery experience and recovery, available here for those interested in reading it:

https://ihernia.wordpress.com/2015/12/25/i-hernia-3-0/

[Chaunce1234]

quote meshless:

I concur with Good Intentions and Ezzy’s remarks. I had no mesh bilateral inguinal and umbilical repair by Dr. Tomas in Ft. Myers, Florida. I had all three repaired on the same day. It’s been 11 months since my repair. I am happy to answer any questions that lead to my decision, and my experience thus far. I spent about a year researching hernia repair from many types of sources: message boards, NIH articles, other publications, litigation information, Google, etc. I was on a quest to find someone who documented their personal experience with a Desarda repair by Dr. Tomas. I wanted to learn about their experience before, during, and after surgery. Most of what I found lacked documentation for experiences months and years out. The experiences also lacked the details I was looking for about recovery. The best that I found was here: http://thelibrarian.bravesites.com/entries/general/desarda-hernia-surgery. I think it is quite good, compared to what is out there. And it was very hard to find. I decided to document much of my experience, particularly during the 2 weeks immediately after my surgery, about how I felt at every day in the process. But I quickly realized why as time passes by it is harder to learn about someone’s personal experience. For me, there was less to report other than I don’t even think or feel anything regarding my hernias. My two weeks recovery documentation is pretty detailed. If anyone is considering Dr. Tomas or Desarda, I am happy to share.

How are you feeling now? Do you have any lingering pain or complaints after your desarda repair? Was your hernia painful or problematic before the surgery?

Please consider posting your full two week recovery documentation in a separate thread, preferably labeled something obvious like “Dr Tomas Desarda Repair Review – 2 Week Recovery Log” so that others can easily find it if they are looking. It is indeed difficult to find patient testimonials and reports, but they are often helpful, and thus it could be valuable to other potential patients.

Thanks.

[Chaunce1234]

quote joep:

Thanks [USER=”1916″]Chaunce1234[/USER]; for that wonderful post, and taking time to write it. that was truly informative and kind.

Thanks [USER=”935″]drtowfigh[/USER] …. i did consult a homeopath for my pain after this post, and i am now taking the prescribed remedies. Will see if the pain subsidizes, before going for consultation with a conventional pain specialist. reason why i want to avoid taking conventional medicines is because i have a history of gastrointestinal bleeding/ulcers and other allergies.

[USER=”2723″]joep[/USER] You’re very welcome. Please keep us updated on your case, what you are trying, and what specifically is working for you. Good luck.

[Chaunce1234]

[USER=”2329″]Jeremy B[/USER] How are you doing now? Have any of your symptoms changed?

Please keep us updated on your progress, thanks and good luck.

[Chaunce1234]

My responses to this thread are being held by spam review, but anyway…

If you search on Twitter you can find confirmation from Dai Greene that his surgeon for the mesh removal was Dr Mushawek, and that British Athletics no longer sends athletes to get implants for hernia repairs. Quite interesting.

[Chaunce1234]

I have posted a separate update to this thread but it is being held for spam review, probably because it includes a few links.

Anyway, I discovered an online conversation on twitter where the athlete Dai Greene confirmed that Dr Muschaweck was his surgeon who removed the mesh, and that he has had no issues with her procedure.

There are also videos of him speaking about the issue, and confirming that British Athletics (governing sports body in the UK) no longer sends athletes to get implants for hernias.

Remarkable.

[Chaunce1234]

Just an update on this topic for those who are interested. During separate research I stumbled into some references to this particular athlete, Dai Greene.

Here is a short video clip of the athlete confirming that British Athletics (the governing body for athletics in the UK) no longer send their athletes to get implants for hernia repairs:

https://twitter.com/VictoriaLIVE/status/1067364133962543104

And here he responds to a question, saying that Dr Muschaweck was the surgeon who removed his mesh and repaired the previous damage:

https://twitter.com/DaiGreene/status/1067138858159144960

Hernia mesh has now been banned by British Athletics for use on its athletes, @DaiGreene reveals.

He lost five years of his career to complications #VictoriaLIVE pic.twitter.com/FSi2nnOCVN

— Victoria Derbyshire (@VictoriaLIVE) November 27, 2018

[Chaunce1234]

quote dog:

Chaunce1234 I listened thank you for posting.. Do you know by chance what is average cost [h=2]in Shouldice clinic ?[/h]

You can find recent posts on other forums that say for an American the cost is somewhere around $6000 – $7000 all-in, for surgery, 4 day hospital stay, all food and meals, follow-up. Other older posts say it was about $5000 for Americans. For Canadians I believe it is free.

If it’s something you’re interested in, would probably be worth contacting Shouldice directly to ask. I assume they quote people before they travel.

[Chaunce1234]

This is an incredibly fascinating thread to read, thank you for the detailed explanations and discussion [USER=”2019″]drkang[/USER] .

If possible, please publish more information, specifics, and outcomes about your hernia repair methods so that they can be learned and adopted by other surgeons.

And if you are feeling entrepreneurial, or perhaps one of your students, consider opening a [USER=”2019″]drkang[/USER] clinic in the USA to treat patients, I am sure it would be well received!

[Chaunce1234]

quote Good intentions:

Thanks for posting this Chaunce1234. It’s a shame that Dr. Meyers isn’t more active professionally. His quiet nature and skill only helps a relatively small number of people. Maybe as he gets close to retirement he’ll share his knowledge. Otherwise everything he knows will be wasted. He must have something to say about repair of direct and indirect hernias.

I agree that the knowledge should be shared widely. Dr Meyers has published a variety of papers on core muscle injuries, so the information may be out there for those who are receptive to reading it:

https://vincerainstitute.com/william-c-meyers-publications

The good news is that Dr Alexander Poor was trained by Dr Meyers and they work together at Vincera. Dr Poor biography states a specific interest in hernias.

https://vincerainstitute.com/alexander-poor-md

Hopefully additional doctors will be trained in the appropriate techniques as well, but I wouldn’t be surprised if it’s a situation where repeat exposure and practice makes perfect, which is undoubtedly time consuming and difficult.

[Chaunce1234]

quote Ezzy:

I just had one and it hurt really, really bad the first 48 hours. Dr. Tomas does not prescribe any opioid pain killers for pain after surgery anymore (I really could have used them).

That is an annoying and disappointing trend. Some patients do fine without opioids, but others do not.

There is an excellent ongoing series from Fox News on this topic and the patient consequences of the current opioid moral panic. The media/political hysteria about street drug abusers has caused many doctors to be more afraid of losing their license than effectively managing patient pain, which results in leaving legitimate patients – even those fresh out of surgery or dying in hospice – to suffer needlessly regardless of their pain level or condition.

https://www.foxnews.com/health/as-opioids-become-taboo-doctors-taper-down-or-abandon-pain-patients-driving-many-to-suicide

https://www.foxnews.com/health/doctors-abandon-opioid-prescribing-as-state-and-federal-authorities-step-up-enforcement

https://www.foxnews.com/health/undoing-the-harm-of-the-response-to-the-opioid-overdose-epidemic-health-experts-suggest-solutions

https://www.foxnews.com/health/long-arm-of-tough-new-opioid-policies-leave-some-cancer-and-post-surgery-patients-without-painkillers

[Chaunce1234]

quote Dill:

First, I’m new to the board–researching everything since I have an inguinal hernia that has suddenly started giving me pain and is getting larger so I have to have surgery. I don’t want mesh; I know that. I’m a good candidate, and shouldice accepted me except it’s out of country and my insurance won’t pay. I’m searching for a place that will accept my insurance and also do no mesh (Ohio won’t). In the meantime I’ve done more research on various sutures–I’m not sure why the steel thread wouldn’t react with some people either–I was very intrigued with this paper I found in one of the threads https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2702909/ because it offers something it seems like a lot of hernia specialists could learn how to do and sutures that might not cause reaction. I mean it would be great if more people could get trained be willing to do mesh. Could we talk about this a little bit? Again sorry if I’m repeating some other discussion. Happy for a link if that is the case.

Two surgeons in the midwest who perform non-mesh hernia surgery:

– Dr Paul Szotek in Indiana

– Dr Grischkan in Ohio

Shouldice in Toronto is a valid consideration. Insurance might not cover it, but depending on what your deductibles and co-insurance is, it might be cheaper to go to Canada anyway given the comically expensive mess that is US health insurance and medical billing.

If you’re interested in traveling elsewhere in the USA there are a handful of other non-mesh hernia surgeons too, but finding a non-mesh hernia repair is surprisingly difficult given the high demand and patient interest.

Keep us updated on your case and decision making.

[Chaunce1234]

quote WasInTN:

It is going to be, it appears

https://www.tapatalk.com/groups/herniadiscussionforum/nphi-status-t4326.html.

I am very surprised too

That’s unfortunate, I assume Dr Goodyear is retiring?

Many of the most experienced hernia surgeons are retiring or near retirement age here in the USA, which is unfortunately going to make finding experts even more difficult than it already is.

[Chaunce1234]

I’m impressed that you were given the dermatome mapping, I have read about it but I don’t know of any surgeon or doctors in the USA that do that. Can you detail a bit more about what the color dots mean? I assume it’s where pain distribution is?

How do you feel now compared to before your surgery? Any difference in symptoms, pain, etc?

Thank you for sharing details of your case, and your progress.

[Chaunce1234]

Maybe it’s a seroma? If so, a seroma is a collection of fluid according to Google which suggests they can take 4-8 weeks to resolve on their own, that also might be why you were instructed to keep active as movement might help the drainage.

Are you located near Dr Grischkan? You could always schedule a visit with the surgeon in person.

Thanks for keeping this thread updated with your case and progress.

[Chaunce1234]

Can you share the name and location of the surgeon who performed your Shouldice hernia repair?

I was under the impression that often the cremaster muscle is incorporated into a Shouldice repair, I am not sure what that means for the location of the testicle, but as far as I know the scrotum itself can still pull a testicle upward when necessary with temperature changes.

Have you spoken to your surgeon about this? What did they say?

[Chaunce1234]

quote paco:

Hello [USER=”1916″]
My later surgeon is Dr. Prof Alfredo Moreno Egea, https://www.topdoctors.es/doctor/alfredo-moreno-egea, who is the only (as far as I know) abdominal wall, hernia and pain management specialist surgeon in all Spain who is enough experienced and can carry mesh removal, anatomical repairs and neurectomy.
This is a recent case study (not the mine) of prof Egea, althought it has many cases every year:
http://www.sohah.org/wp-content/uploads/rehah/v6i3/08_NC_Hernia_Moreno.pdf

This is excellent information that could be valuable to other patients, thank you for sharing this.

Best of luck and keep us updated on your case and progress.

[Chaunce1234]

quote tenreasy:

I do not know my bmi. I am 6′ 0.5″. Weigh about 165lbs so I am definitely thin. I had a inguinal laparoscopic hernia repair with mesh done in September. No problems at all. Full recovery. Feel great. No hernia.

This is great to hear. Please keep us updated on your progress.

Also, can you share the name of your surgeon? And if you know any additional details on the type of surgery (robotic, type of mesh, fixation, etc) if you know them?

[Chaunce1234]

quote joep:

HI is there any supplements for chronic neuropathic pain post surgery. Once confirmed the pain is neuropathic, the conventional mode of treatment is NSAID, antidepressant or anticonvulsants before going for more invasive methods. But these medicines have unwanted side effects.

A quick search will show that alpha lipoic acid, acetyl-l-carnitine, vitamin B complex, magnesium supplement etc and many more are given for diabetic neuropathy, periperal neuropathy etc. Could someone perhaps a doctor recommend which supplements to take and their dosage rate for chronic pain (neuropathic) post op.

I am sorry you are going through this. Just out of curiosity, is your pain related to a hernia, or hernia surgery, or something else? Can you describe your situation a bit more?

Here is some general information about managing chronic pain that may be a helpful starting point. Talk to your doctor(s) before trying anything or considering anything, but here are a few ideas:

– Daily alpha lipoic acid – evidence based to help nerve pain over time

– Daily vitamin C (500mg) – evidence based to help nerve pain over time

– Prescription strength NSAID daily for 2 months or so (assuming your general health can tolerate)

– Nerve block injections targeting the specific nerves with pain, if even somewhat effective then repeat several times. Ultrasound guided or CT guided nerve blocks can also be helpful and are much more precise.

– Targeted physical therapy / exercise / massage. If you can find any physical activity that helps slightly, or distracts, do it with frequency.

– Engage in mentally challenging / consuming tasks every day that involve learning something new and/or difficult. Examples would be learning a new foreign language, math puzzles, sudoku, word puzzles, learning computer programming, learning to play a musical instrument, producing art, memory recall games, memorizing complex poetry, etc. Make it something you enjoy and/or are interested in, so it fits well into your routine. You’re effectively aiming to use neural plasticity in your favor, and over time this can reduce the strength of pain signals.

– Try a TENS unit, you can get one on Amazon for about $50 and play around with one in the privacy of your own home. They send out little electrical impulses of an intensity of your choosing, and can be helpful to some people.

– Try initiating other distracting sensations in the general region or along the same nerve pathway. For example if you have pain in your right thigh, try using a hot water bottle, or ice pack, on that thigh, or elsewhere on that same leg.

– Visit a pain clinic and establish a relationship with a provider, preferably with experience managing your particular condition

– Consider meeting with a pain therapist / counselor / group who has significant pain management experience

– Medical marijuana – yes this is controversial, but there is actively ongoing research for chronic pain / nerve pain, with some compelling early evidence. For many there is significant stigma attached to this topic, but if you can overcome it might be worth investigating if you’re in a state that allows for medical marijuana (or recreational, like California).

– Ketamine infusion therapy – also controversial, ongoing research for chronic pain / nerve pain, with some compelling early evidence. Most insurance will not cover.

– Transcranial magnetic stimulation therapy – ongoing research for chronic pain, compelling early evidence. Some insurance will cover

Antidepressants and anticonvulsants are worth trying, they work for some people. Anticonvulsants tend to fall into two patient response groups; effective enough to continue, or ineffective with a host of side effects that are completely unworkable. The antidepressants/anticonvulsants cause dependency in a unique way, so if you later decide you want to stop taking them you will need to taper off slowly.

The other story of antidepressants specifically is that chronic pain can frequently cause a unique form of apathy / depression, and they can be helpful for treating that. Pain is not fun, so it’s easy to get down about being in pain. Pay attention to that by the way, because there is evidence linking pain to depression and vice versa.

Opioids – consider these a last resort – they work, they literally inhibit pain signals – but finding an appropriate dose can be a challenge, and they are a devils bargain of trading reduced pain for dependency to a pill or patch. Unfortunately opioids are currently demonized for even legitimate patients because of unrelated street drug abusers. Society is in a peak of moral panic about opioids currently, and the entire topic has been polluted by misinformation, media hysteria, political intervention, and political grandstanding. Tread cautiously, and try to find another solution.

Please keep us updated on your case and progress, and feel free to share what you are trying and what is working for you. Good luck.