[Jbgabrielli]

Alternatives to mesh

John,

I did not mention Dr. William Myers in Philadelphia who performs the NFL players hernia repairs because I wanted to speak them again. He founded the Vincera Institute and Foundation. I have spoken with them a few times and again recently. Dr. Myers knows all of the pure tissue repairs and can perform a pure tissue repair (without mesh), and with minimal anesthesia if you are a candidate for both based on his evaluation, according to what I was told. He doesn’t take insurance; however, he has to be the best to get the stamp of approval from the NFL and million dollar athletes. Look up Marshawn Lynch surgery (Seattle Seahawks running back) on Google and you will see an article mentioning Dr. Myers.

After fours years of research and living with an inguinal hernia and talking with multiple sources, this is my number one choice for now in the U.S.

I hope this helps.

Best regards,

Connier

[Jbgabrielli]

Alternatives to mesh

John,

New Zealand, a place I’ve wanted to visit; yet, it puts you in limited situations much like people who live in Hawaii and get “land-locked.”

From what we know, if Australia does not have an option with a pure tissue repair such as the Desarda, or possibly Shouldice with less tension, then your closes option ( as you have surmised) is Burns in Newport Beach, CA for the Desarda technique. I have known of people flying to India to Dr. Desarda’s office and have the surgery. This would be your next option after Burns.

If you are looking at the least possible tension it seems from my studies of Biomedical Physiology and Anatomy plus many conversations with surgeons, the Desarda technique would be the option you want with no foreign bodies and little anesthesia. Keep in mind, general anesthesia will effect the mitochondria of the brain. Find a surgeon who will use a “twilight” option; many will. Dr. Kevin Peterson in Las Vegas is a “no-mesh” leader, yet, he prefers a general anesthesia. Good guy, but I am adamant about two things: No mesh and little anesthesia.

As far as the “on your own” factor, this is where you must make sure you get both sides done correctly the first time. You could get an MRI of both sides and send to several surgeons. Then discuss with them their take. If they do not treat you with dignity or professionally then find someone else. In the end, I have thought it would be best to live with the hernia than to live with errors or reconstruction of my inguinal floor to the point of sending my health toward a decline.

Best regards John,

Connier

[Jbgabrielli]

Alternatives to mesh

John,

You should do more research to prevent the limitations in your thinking. There are two other surgeons who perform the Desarda, one in southern CA (Burns), one in NM (Parvez). You have Dr. Myers in Philly who does the NFL players who can do it without mesh and is one of the best, hence, why the NFL uses him (he is expensive). And, you have Dr. Grischkan in Ohio who developed the Modified Shouldice and is probably the most experienced surgeon alive for hernias today (look at his numbers). He uses a Gortex, yet, he says he can do it without. Call there offices and ask questions. You should be in proximity to one of these, and how much is your health worth?

Most of your surgeons, especially in the U.S., will use mesh because they are convinced it reduces recovery time, and convinced it lessens re-occurrence. And, the training for these other techniques is limited if any. The first may be true, especially for athletes, however, the second on re-occurrence is debatable. When you place a foreign body in your tissue (mesh), no one can tell you how your physiology will respond, nor in what time duration it may occur, or if it will be cumulative with other heavy metals and chemicals you expose yourself. Everyone has a unique genome and biochemistry. To get a surgery without any foreign body left to infiltrate your tissue is with the Desarda, and the technique in Italy (Guarnieri) I think is using your own tissue as well because it focuses on your physiology. The Shouldice in Canada has the numbers and many surgeons from the U.S. travel to Canada to have their own surgery. I had one surgeon to tell me this is where they would go personally, and the hospital told me many have done the same.

Many say they know someone with a bi-lateral mesh repair and is doing fine. But, what is fine, how do you know the short or long term effects internally? I’m sure many will trust the mainstream even though they can get a tissue repair. From my observation and conversations with a manifold of people, mesh has affected people in major indices and in minor ones though few surgeons will support this statement.

[Jbgabrielli]

Alternatives to mesh

John,

If you are looking for a pure tissue repair from my research over the last 3.5 years is the Desarda and the Shouldice. Guarnieri in Italy is another tension-free repair that can be performed without mesh. The Desarda technique uses your own tissue and the sutures are dis-solvable so you are left with “NO” foreign body. The Shouldice uses a SS316 alloy. Test yourself for Nickle as there will be four layers with these sutures permanently inside your tissue. The Shouldice Hospital has impressive numbers over time. The Desarda is new to the U.S. and Dr. Tomas has increased his number of repairs. As far as accuracy of re-occurrence, who would know if the stats are accurate because many patients do not return to the performing physician, and the physicians in most cases do not offer a free surgery if it re-occurs. The Shouldice Hospital is very secure and confident and you can ask them about what they would do if it reoccurred.

Do your research and do not be discouraged from asking educated questions. This is your body and your life.