[DrBrown]

Find a surgeon who is interested in you and takes the time to carefully discuss your hernia and your options.
Regards.
Bill Brown MD

[DrBrown]

After a pure tissue repair, the patient has about 70% of the final wound strength at 3 three weeks and about 90% of the final wound strength at 6 weeks.
I allow my patients to start walking and light weights as soon as the operative pain subsides. Aerobic exercises at three weeks. And to start pushing themselves at 6 weeks.
Age, smoking, obesity, diabetes, etc will slow recovery.
Regards.
Bill Brown MD

[DrBrown]

I did a literature search through the Stanford Libary and I found two articles about the pain after hernia repair between 1980 and 1990.
I found 12 articles published about chronic pain after hernia repair for the year 2019 alone.
These numbers should give you the idea that chronic pain was not a problem prior to the introduction of mesh.
Regards.
Bill Brown MD

[DrBrown]

[USER=”3024″]andrew1982[/USER]
I am sorry that you are having so much trouble.
Please post a copy of your operative report. That might yield some clues.
Regards.
Bill Brown MD

[DrBrown]

[USER=”3104″]Carys[/USER]
If you can not see your surgeon, then going to your GP is a reasonable choice.
Try to get a copy of the operative report.
Regards.
Bill Brown MD

[DrBrown]

[USER=”3027″]Julian[/USER]
The genital nerve does not innervate the psoas muscle.
A neurectomy will decrease pain in the spermatic cord and testicle.
The genital nerve innervates the cremasteric muscle.
Bill Brown MD

[DrBrown]

[USER=”3099″]VegasKnight[/USER]
Dear Vegas.
An inversion table will not cause any trouble with either type of hernia repair.
Since your back is getting better and the hernia is not giving you much trouble, a very good choice is not to have the hernia fixed at this time.
Regards.
Bill Brown MD

[DrBrown]

[USER=”3104″]Carys[/USER]
Follow up with your surgeon. You should be feeling better by now. A CT scan of the abdomen may help.
The numbness of the leg is not directly related to the epigastric hernia repair. There are not major nerves near an epigastric hernia.
If the numbness started directly after the operation, then the leg may have been positioned incorrectly during the operation. Again see your surgeon. He or she can determine which nerve is involved and start treatment.
Regards.
Bill Brown MD

[DrBrown]

[USER=”2766″]Katherine[/USER]
You are in a very difficult situation when both conservative options and surgical options are limited by your other medical problems.
Regards.
Bill Brown MD

[DrBrown]

[USER=”3024″]andrew1982[/USER]
If you have not had a nerve block, then that is the next treatment.
The mesh itself can also be injected with sometimes good results.
Removing the mesh is a major operation with a prolonged recovery. It should only be done as the last resort.
Since the pain sometimes resolves on its own, try to wait at least six months before removing the mesh.
You need to see a surgeon that is experienced with mesh removal.
Regards.
Bill Brown MD

[DrBrown]

[USER=”2766″]Katherine[/USER]
You can try a hernia belt to support your abdomen. That may provide you some relief.
Regards.
Bill Brown MD

[DrBrown]

[USER=”2766″]Katherine[/USER]
Patients with connective tissue diseases can have a hernia repair without mesh.
I hope that you are feeling better.
Regards.
Bill Brown MD

[DrBrown]

[USER=”3093″]Reborn334[/USER]
I agree with Dr. Towfigh. You need a complete evaluation by a surgeon experienced with the complications of mesh.
If you can make it to California, I would advise you to see Dr. Towfigh.
Regards.
Bill Brown MD

[DrBrown]

[USER=”2051″]ajm222[/USER]
Dear AJM
Dr. Belyansky is an excellent surgeon. Since he has evaluated you and has advised an operation he must believe that he can make you better.
If I were you I would lean toward having the operation. This is the time of year for miracles.
Merry Christmas.
Bill Brown MD

[DrBrown]

[USER=”2766″]Katherine[/USER]
Dear Katherine.
Collagen is one of the major components of wound healing. Anything that affects collagen can increase the risk for a hernia and a recurrent hernia.
Most connective tissue diseases are associated with an increased risk of hernia. Smoking and Diabetes are also associated with risk.
A nice article about collagen is available at:
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.amsu.2017.05.012

Regards.
Bill Brown MD

[DrBrown]

[USER=”2051″]ajm222[/USER]
Dear AJM
Removal of the mesh is a major operation. Not everyone is better after surgery.
If you live in S California, I would advise you to see Dr. Twofigh to fully understand your options.
Regards.
Bill Brown MD

[DrBrown]

[USER=”2514″]inguinalpete[/USER]
The third photo does show the spermatic cord stuck to the mesh. It took about 15 minutes to get vas deferens separated from the mesh.
More images at:
https://www.sportshernia.com/treating-mesh-pain/surgical-mesh-removal-photo-gallery/
Regards.
Bill Brown MD

[DrBrown]

[USER=”2967″]MeshMangledMerritt[/USER]
Merritt kindly offered to share the photographs from his operation.

[DrBrown]

[USER=”2964″]Nacly[/USER]
Dear Nacly.
If the pain is in the scrotum, then that often indicates irritation of the ilioinguinal nerve.
If the pain is in the testicle, then that indicates that the genital nerve or the spermatic cord is involved.
A spermatic cord block or an ilioinguinal nerve block can be very beneficial.
What did your surgeon advise?
Regards.
Bill Brown MD

[DrBrown]

[USER=”3094″]herniagirl1[/USER]
Is the 4mm tear giving you any trouble?
Where is the tear located?
Why did you have the ultrasound in the first place?
Regards.
Bill Brown MD