Forum Replies Created

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  • drtowfigh

    Moderator
    August 15, 2016 at 9:16 pm in reply to: Suffocation after Removal

    Suffocation after Removal

    Sounds like a difficult Situation. Are you implying that the triple neurectomy directly caused suffocation? Have these been re-evaluated as panick attacks?

  • drtowfigh

    Moderator
    August 15, 2016 at 9:13 pm in reply to: Inguinal Hernia Repair

    Inguinal Hernia Repair

    Sounds like you still have foreign body (mesh and/or suture) in place. In these situations, all foreign body must be removed. That said, the anatomy is complex in this area. There are nerves and vessels and the vas at risk for innies. But there is little choice but to proceed.

  • drtowfigh

    Moderator
    August 12, 2016 at 12:48 am in reply to: No mesh Hernia surgeons in Portland Oregon?

    No mesh Hernia surgeons in Portland Oregon?

    Consider making an appointment with Dr Robert Martindale at OHSU. You have to ask for him by name and mention tissue repair

  • drtowfigh

    Moderator
    August 7, 2016 at 11:39 pm in reply to: Any No-Mesh hernia surgeons in Iowa?

    Any No-Mesh hernia surgeons in Iowa?

    Try Dr. Michael Burchett in Eastern Iowa.
    I reached out to him and he is amenable to see you in consultation.

    Good luck.

  • drtowfigh

    Moderator
    August 7, 2016 at 11:00 pm in reply to: Record Deadlift Saturday, Small Navel Bulge Sunday

    Record Deadlift Saturday, Small Navel Bulge Sunday

    wearing a binder of sorts only helps if you have symptoms from the hernia. It does not prevent it from becoming larger.

  • drtowfigh

    Moderator
    August 7, 2016 at 10:57 pm in reply to: Large Incisional Hernia & Ehlers Danlos Syndrome

    Large Incisional Hernia & Ehlers Danlos Syndrome

    Botox injection is performed by some Pain Management specialists and some surgeons. The neurotoxin is injected into the muscle, relaxing it, then allowing surgery on a more relaxed and lengthened muscle, so that the repair is not under tension.

    Sandwich repair is using mesh on top of and under the repair. I use it in situations where the repair may be tenuous.

  • drtowfigh

    Moderator
    August 7, 2016 at 10:55 pm in reply to: parietex progrip removal, an exercise in futility?

    parietex progrip removal, an exercise in futility?

    Dr. Ramshaw, Dr. David Chen, and myself have the most experience with mesh removal.
    I have switched to using the DaVinci robot, as my own study has shown that my patients do better with that.

  • drtowfigh

    Moderator
    August 7, 2016 at 10:51 pm in reply to: Can’t get a diagnosis. Could this be a hernia?

    Can’t get a diagnosis. Could this be a hernia?

    Difficult situation.
    Hernias can cause pelvic floor spasm.
    Hernias do not cause buttock pain, tailbone pain, etc.
    There are options for pelvic floor relaxation.
    I would seek pelvic floor specialists in the US, including Michael Hibner or others found on the Pelvic Floor Disorders website.

  • drtowfigh

    Moderator
    August 7, 2016 at 6:47 pm in reply to: Femoral Hernia?

    Femoral Hernia?

    Unfortunately, this is a problem with no good solution yet. We have shown in our studies that more than 3 of 4 imaging for hernias are misread or misinterpreted for hernias.

    You can seek a consultation from a radiologist to re-review your images. I suggest you go to a center that has radiologists with expertise and training in MRI and hernias (e.g., a university that has a hernia center)

    I also offer online consultation for the same, to re-review images in a clinical context and help analyze imaging in the context of each patient’s clinical symptoms. You can seek that consultation online via http://www.beverlyhillsherniacenter.com

  • drtowfigh

    Moderator
    August 7, 2016 at 6:44 pm in reply to: Hiatal hernia/levator ani

    Hiatal hernia/levator ani

    For the hiatal hernia evaluation and repair, seek consultation from a general or thoracic surgeon with foregut and laparoscopic experience. You can check for surgeons in your neighborhood on the http://www.SAGES.org site.

    For the pelvic floor disorder, seek consultation from a urogynecologist or female urology specialist. You can check for surgeons in your neighborhood on the pelvic floor disorders website http://www.voicesforpfd.org/p/cm/ld/fid=81

  • drtowfigh

    Moderator
    August 7, 2016 at 6:37 pm in reply to: Another hernia 4 weeks after repair?

    Another hernia 4 weeks after repair?

    ok, then that is a good thing. perhaps the ultrasound will help figure things out.

  • drtowfigh

    Moderator
    August 7, 2016 at 6:34 pm in reply to: Use of Opiates for long term chronic pain

    Use of Opiates for long term chronic pain

    Thanks so much for this!
    I am a big advocate of non-opiate pain medication. For hernias, this pain is mostly inflammatory, so I recommend and prescribe mostly anti-inflammatory medications. In fact, most of my patients are started on this regimen prior to surgery, to help reduce the inflammation from surgery.

    I recommend the following anti-inflammatory regimens:
    – Ice
    – Naproxen
    – Arnica 12C
    – Bromelain
    – Alpha Lipoic Acid
    – Super B complex
    – Ginger
    – Turmeric

    Except for the Naproxen, almost everyone can take these medications with little to no side effects. And they work!

  • drtowfigh

    Moderator
    August 7, 2016 at 6:30 pm in reply to: Record Deadlift Saturday, Small Navel Bulge Sunday

    Record Deadlift Saturday, Small Navel Bulge Sunday

    Thanks for reaching out to our Forum. I hope you get your answers here, or at least some guidance.

    Most umbilical/belly button hernias are at or just above the belly button. Perhaps what you notice to be below the belly button is actually at the belly button. I say this because there are no naturally occurring hernias below the belly button.

    If you wish, reply with a picture of your hernia attached to your post and we can confirm this.

    That said, the short answer is: no, precise location of an umbilical hernia does not predict outcome. Size is a better predictor: smaller is better.

    In general, all hernias are at risk for increasing in size with time. That said, most powerlifters and athletes with strong core muscles do not have hernias as a result of their activity, unless there was undue strain. Once the hernia occurs, however, it is like a run in a sock or break in a zipper: it is likely to increase with more straining. The rate of size increase is unpredictable.

  • drtowfigh

    Moderator
    August 7, 2016 at 6:26 pm in reply to: Hernia surgery

    Hernia surgery

    The type of repair for inguinal hernia is dependent on the needs of each patient and the experience and recommendations of each surgeon. It is a very individual decision and can only be answered by your surgeon.

    In short, there is no right answer. There are risks and benefits with each procedure.

  • drtowfigh

    Moderator
    August 7, 2016 at 6:24 pm in reply to: Finding no-mesh inguinal hernia surgeons on west coast?

    Finding no-mesh inguinal hernia surgeons on west coast?

    Thank you for reaching out to HerniaTalk forum for your questions.
    There is no tablet or medication to cure a Hernia.
    Surgery is the only cure. Exercise and loss of weight and improvement in core abdominal muscles can help limit symptoms.
    Feel free to read through all the different posts on this forum to get more information on each.

  • drtowfigh

    Moderator
    July 28, 2016 at 4:47 am in reply to: Another hernia 4 weeks after repair?

    Another hernia 4 weeks after repair?

    Honestly presenting your concern is the best policy. Also, feel free to seek second consultations to get another surgeon’s perspective.

  • drtowfigh

    Moderator
    July 28, 2016 at 4:45 am in reply to: Large Incisional Hernia & Ehlers Danlos Syndrome

    Large Incisional Hernia & Ehlers Danlos Syndrome

    Do you really have Ehlers-Danlos syndrome? If so, what type?
    In my experience, the best repair is a primary closure with very wide synthetic mesh implantation, even a sandwich repair, as most patients with EDS dehisce from a minimalist approach. Also, I would try not to do a component separation, if possible. One consideration is Botox injection. This is because the released tissue will then bulge out from the component separation and that is a much more difficult problem to treat and also a very ugly outcome.

  • drtowfigh

    Moderator
    July 28, 2016 at 4:42 am in reply to: hernia surgery that went wrong.. a total mystery..

    hernia surgery that went wrong.. a total mystery..

    Hi
    Sounds quite complicated.
    Sounds like there was a mesh infection.
    Mesh doesn’t typically break into pieces and spread all over.
    Perhaps there is infected mesh still in place and needs completion mesh removal?
    Perhaps there is a hernia recurrence?
    Your father really needs to be seen by a specialist to get the best care. The most we can offer you here is some support that you should seek a surgeon who can provide you with the care that best meets your needs.

  • drtowfigh

    Moderator
    July 28, 2016 at 4:37 am in reply to: Surgery VS Watchful Waiting

    Surgery VS Watchful Waiting

    yes.
    read:
    1. http://jama.jamanetwork.com/article.aspx?articleid=202212&resultclick=1
    It shows 0.18% per year risk of incarceration with watchful waiting.

    2. http://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10029-009-0529-7
    It outlines evidence-based treatment of inguinal hernias

  • drtowfigh

    Moderator
    July 28, 2016 at 4:31 am in reply to: Inguinal Hernia Tenderness

    Inguinal Hernia Tenderness

    a hernia that is symptomatic needs to be addressed by a general surgeon and treated.
    the size is not a determinant of need for repair.

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