[Forest]

Matt, I am having similar symptoms—and I am 9 months out from surgery. It’s not really pain, but discomfort that come in waves, sometimes sporadically, sometimes persistent. I am considering making a follow-up with the surgeon…and definitely interested in hearing what you find.

[Forest]

So GI, up until about a couple weeks ago, there really wasn’t much discomfort or an issue. Over the last couple weeks, the discomfort seems to have increased, seemingly out of the blue. It is exacerbated by sitting straight up in a chair with good posture. Of course, with coronavirus, getting an appointment right now is not really an option to get it assessed. So odd—I figured once I hit the 6 month point, and had no issues, I would be good. Wondering if some good exercising and/or yoga will help. Wondering might this be scar tissue or what? Don’t know if anyone here may have insight or experienced this. Or is this all weight gain related~20 lbs?

[Forest]

Thanks GI.

[Forest]

I am now about 8 months post surgery. I still have discomfort on my right side about where I had it priorto surgery. The left side and umbilical are rarely noticed, I have gained some weight due to lack of normal exercise whiLle this heals up. I am also feel tighter and less flexible than previously. Not sure if weight gain is causing the tightness/discomfort. It’s not bad, but sometimes uncomfortable. Wondering if this will get better with exercise, weight loss, and stretching.

[Forest]

To give some encouragement or optimism, I have a friend who had inguinal hernia repair as a teen, before laparoscopic was an option, and it came out fine. He is now a pretty serious weightlifter and athlete. He went through Marine Corps basic no problem. The only time it ever bothers him is when he is lifting extremely heavy weights or far extending abs during full range of motion GHD situps…which he says it will feel sore for a while and he lays off.

[Forest]

Thanks Dr Twofigh, that is reassuring…which is something I get from this site. Good Intentions, I appreciate your diligence and dedication to this, and hate that you had poor results. I am glad you are making people aware, so that people go in with eyes wide open. It’s interesting that arguably the most common surgery has so many options and outcomes.

[Forest]

I appreciate you posting. For those of us going through recovery, it’s good to hear, and gain hope, that we will eventually be just fine.

[Forest]

I have the same question…even asked the dr and he just siad to ease yourself back into it and only do what you can…

[Forest]

So I am 6 weeks out from surgery. For my bilateral hernias I had 2 , 12x15cm Synecr Pre Rect Mesh by WL Gore &p Associates Inc implanted. I also had an inflames right femoral lymph node that was removed, biopsed, and came out negative. The 3-0 barbed absorbable suture was used. The umbilical was sutured using 2-0 PDS sutures (whatever that all means. I still had the right inguinal pain for a month after the surgery (ached). It went away. Then I had a urolift procedure done on the prostate a week ago, and now that inguinal pain is back. Dr said that that inflamed lymph node may have been caused by hernia rubbing, but otherwise could not be sure what caused it, but since it was negative, hewas not too concerned. Said if I have the pain at the 3 month post-op point to come back. The weird thing is that the aching pain I had before the surgery is exactly the same as what I am feeling now. Just hoping it goes away again and that maybe the urolift procedure got it irritated again.

BTW, lots of people on here, like me, have that dull, burning, aching, soreness pain—-what exactly causes that pain?

[Forest]

Day 4 update. Hope this is not TMI, but I think people should be aware because I think it can get overlooked–I’ve had surgeries before, but never had this happen. Was pretty constipated on Day 3–took all day to have a bowel movement. I had been taking Docusate Sodium 2x daily, along with Miralax and metamucil. Just couldn’t go. Began the day by stopping oxy. Drank half a bottle of magnesium citrate (per nurse’s direction), waiting 3.5 hours. Felt movement, but nothing happened. Drank other half of bottle, after 1.5 hours, felt movement/cramps–some very aggressive, but still couldn’t go. Did an enema, waited 30 minutes, still lots of aggressive bowels trying to move, but no defecation. After about 3 hours, finally had a bowel movement, and cleared me out.

Have been feeling better since. I think it might have been useful if I had perhaps started stool softeners the day prior to surgery because I think my stool basically got stuck because I drank no water after midnight and did not have my usual morning coffee (for which I normally have a bowel movement in the morning). Then the effects of surgery, anesthesia, and no drinking water for essentially 15 hours, then narcotics really got me plugged and everything I ate afterwards, while soft, just couldn’t budge the previous days food.

I think I am faring pretty well so far. Getting out of bed really hard. Sitting and getting up from chair getting easier. Still walking slow.

[Forest]

Will do–I’ll get the technical details/post-op report, most likely at my 2 weeks follow-up. I will continue to note progress in the meantime.

[Forest]

Just had my surgery today. Everything going well thus far. Did not realize that peeing after the surgery was such a big deal. Guess the inflammation and the effects of the pain killer can cause the bladder to retain. Fortunately they did not have to catheratize me as I was able to finally go after enough of the fentanyl wore off. Otherwise feels like I had a brutal lower ab workout. Getting up and sitting down very uncomfortable. Walking around like an old decrepit man. However, I think all is progressing nicely so far. Only concern right now is that I haven’t had a bowel movement since early yesterday. Uncomfortable, but I know that is not unusual with all the opiods and surgery. Taking fiber and stool softener, and drinking a pretty good amount. I find it odd that my pain is really only in the vicinity of the inguinal hernias, and not at the umbilical or where they inserted the laparascopic equipment–I barely notice those.

[Forest]

The surgeon is planning to use a hybrid mesh–disappearing, with some small kevlar weaved into it. I cannot find anything more online about this type of mesh. All my research indicates that the surgeon’s skill is the most important part of the hernia surgery, and there is no way to truly find out how good the surgeon is…only indicators by # of surgeries performed and other doctors recommendations. My umbilical is small and will be sutured. I just don’t see how suturing the inguinals would be better. Sutures tend to fail more than mesh. I do get that a small percentage do have complications…it is a risk. Waiting until it becomes an emergency means I don’t get to choose my surgeon…

[Forest]

While I am waiting for surgery, I periodically get increased aches/burning. My surgeon told me if that happens to lay down and gently massage the area…does not seem to be working thus far. I take it that I have increased fat pressure on a nerve. Anyone have any other ideas to alleviate the pain?

[Forest]

Thanks Dr Towfigh,

Your comments give me confidence.

The moving around and exercise makes me nervous with the aching/burning going on…but trying to remain active.

I think we have the prostrate under control now with the alfuzosin and will do another bladder check next week. I think I am good for surgery in a couple weeks, with a final check next week.

Thanks so much.

[Forest]

Dr Brown, thank you. Yes, I am not badly overweight, but I can definitely lose some weight. Yes, the distended bladder is being caused (most likely) by an enlarged prostrate. It wasn’t until an ER visit in which they had me do an emptying exam that I people started paying attention (yep, retaining 700 ml of urine…and otherwise that is the only symptom I had for the usually enlarged prostate questions). The urologist is addressing this now with a catheter (to decompress), and alfuzosin. Unfortunately, it took an ER visit to get some attention on the bladder–4 other drs saw it on an earlier CT scan and said asked me limited questions about it…not too happy about that. I did see a hernia specialist yesterday. He does robotic, laporascopic surgery–seemed to believe my situation will be relatively easy–all three are small. I am feeling more confident after seeing him. I definitely appreciate this website. Urologist said my issue now won’t pose a problem for surgery. The hernia surgeon said, worst case is that we may need to recathaterize you. 2 weeks till surgery.

[Forest]

quote Km8888:

That is a very good point. The surgeon I consulted with already supposedly has extensive experience with mesh surgeries in the VA, and the surgeon whose office she works in is likewise, so maybe they can be my “backup” if something happens before I can see Dr. Brown.

That is similar to my plan…I have a “specialist” I am going to see, with others on back-up if I don’t like what the first says. Really annoyed primary care providers just told me, don’t lift anything heavy and just go on with your life. They should have at least referred me to a hernia specialist to discuss the matter.

[Forest]

Thanks you!

[Forest]

Thank you Good Intentions–I will definitely take that to heart and keep getting the data. Hard to find good public data amongst all surgeons–just the number of hernia surgeries performed is hard to find. Not sure how many is “optimal,” let alone long term success. And as I understand, it can get tricky because those who take “easy” procedures pad their stats, while those taking hard cases may have their stats negatively influencing, despite having greater skill or experience. So while I can get the data on the surgeon I am about to go to, it will be hard to compare unless I can make appointments with a number of surgeons to get their stats.

So the pain is essentially pressure, not breaking through fascia or other material?

[Forest]

Any in Virginia?