[Dill]

Oh, and if you get an answer from Dr. Brown on the whole clitoris numbness thing that would be great. I have read about some genital numbness in men as a side effect.

[Dill]

I think judging from everything I’ve read here and from talking to Dr. Brown, that’s a great choice.

[Dill]

Thank you. Yes. Want to avoid emergency room at all costs (and there is a lot of cost). I will call surgeon on Monday–things like this always happen on weekends–to get his advice. I also just looked for a truss for women and I don’t think many are available. I thought incarcerated meant you could reduce it after awhile and strangulated meant it couldn’t ever be reduced? Can strangulated hernias be reduced? Not that I’m expecting you know all, but someone might. Also, I’ve been meaning to ask someone: why on this forum do some people have colored bands under their names, and some people don’t? What does that signify?

[Dill]

Thank you so much Dr. Brown–your opinion means a lot to me. I’d be going to you if I weren’t so far away. Still don’t like the idea of plastic in my body. But it’s true I haven’t heard of the same type of problems with the sutures as with the mesh.

[Dill]

Well I don’t have anything to add to this but I am curious about a response. We do see people talking about removing mesh when they get in pain, but sutures would be more difficult, right? Such is my hesitation about non-absorbable sutures.

[Dill]

Do you know what kind of sutures were used? The material?

[Dill]

I’m just following. Never heard of this.

[Dill]

Man I’m a female also with an inguinal hernia and I’ve done a ton of research–this is something I’ve never heard of–and I’m not even sure that all modified shouldice uses the muscle. Since fewer women have inguinal hernias though a lot of things don’t get discussed. I’m hoping some doctors especially Dr. Trowbridge will weigh in on this. Myself, I’m hung up on the plastic sutures. Did you ask him if he ever did absorbable sutures?

[Dill]

Yes. I am talking about no mesh repairs. Shouldice hospital may be the only people using the steel suture but I think the polymer suture is pretty standard there is also a silk suture that is non-absorbable. I don’t know how that compares to the polymer or why a surgeon would choose to use it. It is my sense that the absorbable sutures are actually not used as frequently but I don’t know.

[Dill]

Good intentions–I did post a paper in another thread which shows less pain with absorbable sutures (also more reoccurrence of hernia) and speculates some pain comes from scar tissue forming around foreign material. I definitely feel more comfortable with sutures of polymer than the mesh, which seems like it has the ability to travel in ways the sutures do not but I’d really prefer absorbable.

[Dill]

I guess I better add a question here, since no one is answering. Has anyone had the Polypropylene suture material? I’d love to hear about experiences. Thanks.

[Dill]

I was in contact with some hernia specialists in Des Moines. Google hernia Specialist Iowa. I think there was someone in Iowa city too. The guy in Des Moine willing to do no mesh.

[Dill]

Dr. Towfigh–I had a fairly small inguinal hernia which has in the last year gotten much larger. What is the female equivalent of scrotal extension?

[Dill]

John–Where did you have your hernia repaired?

[Dill]

I have not had my repair yet, and I think there are several surgeons who contribute to this board who would be great. I talked to Dr. Brown and I would be very comfortable going to him based on our coversations and the feedback he has given. I like that he specializes in no mesh hernia. Alas, travel expenses and no insurance with him makes that not feasible for me but if I had greater means, that’s what I would do.

[Dill]

Right? Especially in Chicago with so many teaching hospitals. I have found two surgeons in Bloomington Illinois and St. Louis who are willing to do no mesh, but I don’t think it is their specialty–and someone else found someone in Chicago also willing but had a preference for mesh. I’m going on a consult with the guy in Bloomington. I’ll report back. I think there have to be more–we just don’t know them–for what it’s worth–both of these guys are around 60 so probably used to do the surgery without mesh. I thought there was someone in Wisconsin. It’s also surprising to me given demand for more no mesh options people aren’t learning that and specializing in it–seems like you could grow a practice really quickly.

[Dill]

Thank you Dr. Trowfigh–I hope you are teaching others to do the laparoscopy without mesh. No I realize I have to have some things cut in order to do the surgery but I read about some procedures maybe Shouldice where I muscle (maybe Crester? something like that) is intentionally cut–that doesn’t sound great to me, perhaps because I don’t understand why.

[Dill]

Hi, well as a female, I’d be going with her. I am in the same boat and if I had any disposable income I would be going to Dr. Brown but I am further than you and the out of pocket plus bringing along another and hotel bills just aren’t doable. I am going to go with someone in network that will do no mesh but doesn’t specialize in it.

[Dill]

Thanks, dog. I appreciated your posts.

[Dill]

Thank you. I would be very comfortable with Dr. Brown but I can not afford the travel, stay and out of pocket. I need to try and find closer and someplace my insurance will approve. I can’t believe how difficult this is in the midwest.