[dh305]

Not trying to confuse topics. The topic was about pain after mesh removal. I am considering removal, but due to the complications raised by the original poster, it gives me pause as someone stuck in a weird spot of not having true pain, but discomfort that waxes and wanes. Herniahelper posted a reply in the tread that resonated with me so I guess it took a bit of a turn from there.

[dh305]

@herniahelper the sick irony is my hernia on the right side was totally asymptotic except for a small bulge. I asked the doctor to look at the left side when he was in there and consented to a repair of the left if he found something. Supposedly he found a small hernia on the left and fixed it with mesh. Most of the time it’s my left side that gets sore. Right is much better. I had zero issues with the left side before surgery. Problem from the get go was mostly my left

[dh305]

Thanks again @herniahelper
I am about 2 1/2 years out from the operation
Trajectory was a very slow improvement, and I have increased my stamina over the time. now the discomfort does not start until much longer after being active, whereas it would start about 20 minutes of being active prior. The discomfort was always in the same area that it is now. There was never a time after the surgery where I felt great.

I have seen several specialists, including one who has presented on this forum, but I have never gotten any real consensus on what the issue could be. Not having a clear explanation, coupled with the fact that I do feel fine at times when I am inactive or after I sit for a bit gives me great hesitancy to move forward with such a serious procedure

[dh305]

@herniahelper thanks for your considered response.

It really is a catch 22. Do some invasive procedure, with a chance of feeling better, or possibly making the situation worse than it is.

It is quite the conundrum.

Days like today where I worked at my desk, I would say I feel 99%. On a day like this, I think to myself I would be a lunatic to do anything surgical. However, a day like yesterday where I am out trick-or-treating with my kids for two hours, I come back sore, at which point, revisional surgery seems like a valid option.

One hernia expert I saw in Sarasota thinks I should do mesh removal. Another hernia specialist I consulted with suggests that I just “give it time“ and says mesh removal will probably make things worse.

[dh305]

@herniahelper my symptoms about two years post laparoscopic bilateral hernia surgery with mesh almost exactly mirror what you described above. Morning start off feeling fine, and the longer I am on my feet the more sore I get almost identically on the left and right side. Standing for long periods make it sore. That is the biggest trigger. Actually doing treadmill, etc seems better than just standing. Sitting for a bit makes it feel better and almost resets and the inflammation goes away. Imaging has not shown anything significant, other than I have a bunch of permanent tack which Affixed the mesh.

If it is an occult recurrence, what does a doctor do? Remove all of the mesh? Seems like I am in a weird spot, because it is not true “pain“, just a more dull soreness that ebbs and flows like you say. I fear double mesh removal would cause more problems than it helps

[dh305]

Thanks for all of your contributions to this thread. I guess it touched a nerve (no pun intended)
Basically I am at the point where if I am not too active, I feel almost perfect. It only is with excessive activity and being on my feet that I end up getting sore. That always goes away with rest. Going to gym, etc seems to be ok at this point

I’m not doing any type of removal unless the doctor is 1000% sure. Obviously, that looks like it’s not happening!

[dh305]

Thanks @drtowfigh. I do see some mentions of Florida hernia surgeon specialists, but not necessarily mesh removal specialists. Would those doctors be top of their game as to mesh removal as well? Thanks so much

[dh305]

Thanks. That’s a great question. Haven’t thought that far ahead. Believe it or not, I’m not adverse to mesh if it’s done right by a specialist.

[dh305]

Thanks Dr. T. Yes, would be done robotically by a Doctor that you’ve had a guest on your weekly show. Sounds like both at once is the way to go.

[dh305]

Thanks. I was told both sides would take between 3 to 3 1/2 hours. It seems like it was really my call. Concerned about the length of being under, but also concerned about multiple invasions of the abdomen, considering I already did it once.

[dh305]

How long was the procedure?

[dh305]

Congrats! So, are you happy with the outcome? Timeline seems long. The doctor I saw says that I would instantly feel much better?

[dh305]

I wouldn’t do it personally. Almost 2 years and I feel improvement. I’m going to keep seeing the progress I am making. A very invasive procedure with no guarantees. I wish you luck.

[dh305]

I would love to know how many people percentage-wise truly fully recover after mesh removal. Obviously, those on this forum for the most part had a terrible outcome from their surgery, and thinking of doing another one to undo it is a very scary proposition to say the least. Especially when it seems lots of people had no benefit from removal of mesh or end up being worse off

[dh305]

Dr Yunis wanted me to get a CT scan before really opining. However, I got freaked out over the CT scan before my appointment because I’ve already had one in the pelvis and two in the abdomen already. Concerned about excess radiation. I probably will get the scans. Problem
Is I have mesh on both sides and it’s over 3 hour procedure. That to me seems crazy if I’m not in true pain. Its like I said more discomfort and gets sore being on my feet a lot. But it always subsides with rest. If I was really in pain my decision would be much easier.

[dh305]

I hear you. My situation almost mirrors your situation to a tee. Pain level about the same, but always there. The doctors call it more of an “annoyance“ then pain. I met Dr Yunis, mainly because of the reviews. I don’t know, with the level of discomfort I have, mesh removal seems like killing a flea with a bazooka gun. Seems like a very involved procedure, no matter how skilled the surgeon is with the robotics. I am about 18 months in to this, and I am giving it more time. I am back to exercising and light jogging. The discomfort seems to be more cumulative on active days with flare ups more towards the end of the day. Oddly enough, when I am exercising there is really no discomfort. Good luck with your decision.

[dh305]

Looking forward to it. Thanks for all you do, and have a great thanksgiving!

[dh305]

Thanks, Dr. T.

[dh305]

Thanks for the insights.

They say the one I got right after my surgery, which is a little over a year old, is not helpful, and they prefer a newer image now that I’ve healed. I pushed back because I am nervous about the exposure. Especially because we have a prostate cancer risk running in our family.

[dh305]

Thank you.