JamesDoncaster
Forum Replies Created
-
I didn’t have exactly the same procedure as you (I have a laparascopic hernia repair with polyester progrip mesh). But, your symptoms are very similar to what I felt. I was fine about 2 weeks after surgery and had returned to heavy squats and deadlifts. But, then, about 4 weeks after surgery I started having a lot of pain in my abdomen in the area where the mesh was located. I was in quite a lot of pain from then until about 5 months after surgery. During this time exercise made the pain considerably worse. Eventually, around the 5-6 month mark, the pain subsided to the point where it no longer dominated my life. Unless a doctor identifies a nerve problem, I think you will be fine after some time. But, it probably is going to take longer than you want it to. Sorry!
-
@drbrown Do you ever use the Muschaweck technique to repair inguinal hernias? If not, do you know of any surgeon in the USA that does use the technique?
-
I am exploring Dr Kang, Dr Conze and Shouldice. No way I would let somebody put mesh in me again. And it’s difficult to find a surgeon who is experienced at doing no-mesh repairs in the USA (where I live).
-
I just spoke with a surgeon in Germany that said exactly what you have heard: “progrip polyester mesh causes more inflammation and thus more pain than the other types of mesh materials.”
Based on my n=1 data, I would agree! I have had nothing but pain since the mesh was put in me. I just hope that getting rid of the mesh will get me back to normal — or at least something like normal. The past 6 months have been a nightmare.
-
A good doctor would not get angry at you for getting multiple opinions. In fact, a good doctor may even recommend that you seek multiple opinions. Surgery is a major medical procedure and it makes sense for patients to get as much information as possible. If your doctor doesn’t understand this, then find another doctor.
-
My sister can see things that I can’t.
I can hear things (high pitches) that most others can’t.
It seems logical that some people would feel things that others would not.
-
I don’t think there is any correlation between hernia size and pain. My two hernias have been small and both have caused pain. I know people with giant hernias (visible to the naked eye) that have no pain at all.
-
The mesh I have in me is supposedly light weight. I feel it and it causes pain. I wouldn’t put mesh in my body ever again. The fact is, nobody know how his/her body will respond to mesh once it’s in there.
-
Do we have a partial list of doctors that perform this procedure? I have a small inguinal hernia that has not been repaired and causes some amount of pain dailyl. If I can get it sewn laparoscopically while it is small without any mesh, I would consider doing this. A previous small inguinal hernia (on the other side) was repaired with mesh and has caused me significant pain.
-
quote ajm222:Wow, it seems there are lots of us out there with this tightness. And you’re already scheduled to have it removed? Who is your surgeon? Will be very interested to hear how you do shortly after surgery. All those I’ve talked to that have been to the surgeons commonly discussed here have done well, though recovery seems to really vary – from immediate relief to a year or two of slow progress.
In my case, 4+ months after surgery, I am still in a fair bit of pain and am not seeing any improvement. If I had seen SOME reduction in pain, I would have waited things out. But, given the lack of progress, I see no reason to be in pain an additional 4 or 5 months before I have the mesh removed
-
[USER=”2051″]ajm222[/USER] We are in very similar boats. I had a progrip mesh inserted in me in August and constantly have a feel of tightness and also a decent amount of pain at my pubic and hip bones. The situation is livable, but not pleasant. And, it does not seem to be getting better with time — if anything, it is getting worse. I am scheduled for surgery in mid-February (also a lap mesh removal with the robot) and am hoping I do not end up in worse shape. From what I have gathered from others is that, the risk of having more pain post-mesh-removal is not a huge risk (as no nerves are involved). The main risk is a higher probability of a recurrent hernia. Though, if there are any Doctors on the forum that disagree with my understanding of the risks, I would be glad to hear from them. I am also quite concerned that I am making the right decision to have another operation.
-
quote drtowfigh:No. There is no data that shows lower chronic pain with biologic mesh.
Mesh is not the only cause of most pain. It’s often technique and surgical handling that contributes. Or it’s multifactorial.
the best is to find a hernia specialist skilled in all aspects of repair to help determine which technique and mesh/no mesh is best suited for your specific problem.
[USER=”935″]drtowfigh[/USER] Out of curiosity, is it your view that there is no possible benefit to using a biologic mesh? Or, is it your opinion that there may be a possible benefit, but that we do not yet have statistical evidence to support it?
I ask because, the lack of data supporting a hypothesis does not, in general, rule out a hypothesis. And, while there are many possible causes of chronic pain after a hernia repair, one possible cause is simply the presence of the mesh. It would stand to reason that, in cases where the presence of the mesh alone is the cause of pain, a biological mesh would result in less chronic pain. In order words, there is a logical hypthesis for why a biologic mesh would cause less pain. This hypothesis could, of course, be incorrect.
-
[USER=”935″]drtowfigh[/USER] As one who has suffered quite a bit of pain after getting a polyester mesh put inside of me, I would gladly have traded a higher probability of recurrence for a lower probability of chronic pain (in fact, I requested an absorbable mesh before my procedure but was told it was not an option).
Is there any data that shows that absorbable meshes results in a lower probability of chronic pain? Logically, it seems as though, if the mesh is the cause of pain, then an absorbable mesh would reduce chronic pain. But, I do not have any statistics to back up this hypothesis.
-
I don’t have much help to offer. But, I can say that I am 4 months after a right inguinal hernia laparoscopy repair, and i also have pain/tightness near my right hip bone (and my pubic bone). It is constant and annoying and exercise makes it worse.
-
Anybody have mesh removal experiences with Andrew Wright? He’s a surgeon at UW Medicine and his name has popped up on the forum before (but not in the context of mesh removal).
-
quote Good intentions:I just posted something about Dr. Billing, linked below. There is probably more detail in some of my other posts also.
Dr. Kang is known for non-mesh hernia repair, but I think that he will remove mesh also. But, a laparoscopic removal might be best for you, considering how much area has probably been covered by the mesh in your original surgery.
I just got back from a vigorous trail hike and barely thought about the old mesh problems. One left over effect though is that my abdominal wall is still thicker and stiffer than it had been before surgery. I still often have to leave the top button undone on my pants.
It has barely been four months for you. It will probably be difficult to get your insurance company to pay for removal without having to go through months of “pain management” beforehand.
Good luck. [USER=”3098″]deeoeraclea[/USER]
https://www.herniatalk.com/12176-one-year-seven-months-since-mesh-removal
OMG! Thank you so much for posting this. I have been extremely depressed thinking that I have no hope of ever being normal again. After reading through your previous posts, I am very hopeful I’ll be able to return to a normal life. Thank you again for sharing your story.
-
As somebody who has suffered through a great deal of pain after a mesh repair, I find that presentation by Dr Felix infuriating. He suggests around the 4:20 mark that it is ridiculous to suggest that mesh causes pain. Good lord! If I have chronic pain in parts of my body where the mesh is located, and had no pain in those areas prior to surgery, then what else, other than the mesh could possibly be causing pain?