Chappers
Forum Replies Created
-
Hi all,
Just thought I’d check back in with an update, especially for those still going through the process of deciding on the best approach for their hernia repair.
I had the operation with Dr. Koch in Cottbus in December 2023. Recovery was fairly standard, around four to six weeks. I had already made the decision not to aim for the 2024 London Marathon earlier in the year, as I wanted to focus on getting the hernia properly sorted. That turned out to be the right call. I did run the marathon this year instead, and everything held up really well.
I sent a thank-you message to Dr. Koch after the race, and thought I’d post here as well to say thanks to everyone who shared their experiences. Reading through the forum was a big help when I was trying to work out what route to take.
For anyone still making a decision, I’d say try not to get too caught up in the search for the “perfect” surgeon. I noticed quite a bit of overthinking and overanalysing while reading through the forum. It’s completely understandable, especially when you’re dealing with your health, but it can end up making the decision harder than it needs to be. The reality is that most of the experts mentioned here are very experienced and tend to offer similar outcomes. None of them are flawless, and that’s just the nature of surgery. I think it’s more important to speak to a few surgeons, ask the questions that matter to you, and see who you feel confident and comfortable with.
I spoke to several surgeons in both the UK and Germany. Some were easy to talk to, but when I asked more specific questions, it turned out they only did a small number of mesh-free repairs each year. Others, while clearly experienced, came across as a bit too full of themselves, which didn’t really sit well with me. In the end, what made the difference for me was Dr. Koch’s background in sports medicine and his down-to-earth and straightforward manner. He also has a good sense of humour, which helped put me at ease.
Lastly, from my own experience, if you’re healthy and reasonably fit, I’d absolutely recommend looking into a mesh-free repair!!! I’ve had no regrets, and I’m back to running and training without any issues.
Hope this helps someone out there. All the best to those still weighing things up.
Cheers,
Chappers -
Just a quick update. Although the video doesn’t mention him by name, I had an ‘aha’ moment after watching an interview of Dr. Koch with Dr. Towfigh. Turns out, the gentleman seen at the 07:55 mark in Ben’s vlog is none other than Dr. Koch himself.
So I’ve taken the plunge and booked a video consultation with Dr. Koch for the 27th of September through the biohernia website. Just waiting for their confirmation now.
Once again, I’d be ever so grateful for any experiences you all might be willing to share regarding Dr. Koch or biohernia.
-
Firstly, I’d like to thank everyone for their incredibly helpful replies. I realise now that I should have mentioned I’m based in the UK and would prefer to stay within Europe for the operation. Crossing the pond to the US is a bit out of my comfort zone, not to mention the generally higher healthcare costs there.
@Bryan, it’s rather funny you mention biohernia. Since my last post, I’ve dug a bit deeper and stumbled upon something interesting. One of my favourite YouTube runners, Ben Parkes, actually had a mesh-free hernia repair himself a few years ago and vlogged the entire experience. Can’t believe I missed it, especially considering how prominent his YouTube channel is in the running community. But better late than never, right?
Though Ben doesn’t name the surgeon explicitly, he does mention he travelled to Cottbus in Germany for the operation. Given the location, I’m assuming he visited Dr. Andreas Koch at biohernia.
I’m increasingly leaning toward giving that clinic a visit for my own repair. If anyone has any personal experiences with this clinic, I’d be all ears. Your insights would be incredibly valuable as I weigh my options.
If anyone’s interested, the video about his experience can be found here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8pCUYZJPmns
Cheers!
-
I am curious if anyone here has experience with BioHernia? I read on this website that Dr. Muschaweck performs non-mesh hernia operations on many top football players. They also offer non-mesh hernia repairs which could be reimbursed by the NHS, but I would have to travel to Germany in that case. I made an appointment for a consultation with Dr. Muschaweck in London next week. I will keep you updated on how the consultation went.
Hernia repair without mesh | BioHernia
https://biohernia.com
Hernia repair without mesh for private and NHS patients. We offer tailored hernia care for individuals & professional athletes.