kevin-pa
Forum Replies Created
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For what it’s worth, I’ve been waiting 5 years. You can search this forum and I asked the same questions in 2017 when I did a bunch of lifting and first got diagnosed.
Has it gotten worse? It’s hard to say. Not really. I’m mostly a-symptomatic with the exception of long days on my feet. But I’ll also go months without really feeling anything even while working hard, and then out of the blue have 2 weeks of moderate pain just walking around the house. I’ve learned it follows no pattern and cant explain it. I’ve had the surgery booked twice, and canceled it both times. Mainly for the fear of chronic pain or more constant pain than what I have now. It’s the unknown. The truth is 90% of the time I barely even know I have a hernia so I say bk way am I ever getting that surgery. But then when it kills me I curse myself and say I’m calling the surgeon tomorrow. So in my experience, this has worked for me with minimal change to my lifestyle. I still hike, jog, walk my dog, lift weights occasionally, etc. I’ve just learned to listen to my body and know my limits and what tends to cause pain/discomfort. I’ve gone back and forth a thousand times on surgery but I know myself too well and I won’t get it until it truly forces me to.
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I think it should be noted that Senator Bernie Sanders had hernia repair back in 2016. I believe it was at Georgetown University hospital in DC. Must have been laparoscopic, because he was back in the campaign trail just days later. Not sure of the type of hernia or how his recovery has been.
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Thank you again everyone. I really appreciate all of the responses. What is strange is in the last few weeks the hernia has begun to bother me. Originally it was only after long days. Now I have a heaviness/pressure sensation depending on the way I stand or sit. I have a window of time from Jan-April where I am not working much as my current job is largely seasonal. It would be a good time to get the repair done.
Now comes decision time. Choosing a doctor, mesh or no mesh, lap or open, having it now vs. waiting, measuring current pain level vs. potential life changing forever chronic pain that could be much worse. I wish it was easier to decide.
It’s great that the internet has allowed us to communicate quickly, research info, and have forums like this. But it also opens up the flood gates of “what-if’s” and overwhelms your mind in terms of the amount of information. I would bet the internet has drastically increased the number of hypochondriacs on this planet.
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Thank you Jnomesh. I hope Dr. Jacobs was able to help you.
I think he takes out-of-network insurance, but that can get pretty pricey also. Also, if I buy private insurance through blue cross/blue shield, all of the plans do not include out of network.
Dr. Jacobs also takes cash according to their website. I am lucky in the fact that I have some money saved up, and I would honestly pay whatever it takes to have this done correctly. But does anybody know roughly what we are talking about with a “cash” surgery? $15,000? $30,000? More?
thanks again.
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Hi everyone, great suggestions.
Does anybody know if Dr. Brian Jacobs only does laparoscopic surgery? I always have heard open technique is better for chronic pain. (I think I read a study one time… rates of pain were higher with lap)
Also, howabout Dr. Goodyear at North Penn Hernia Institute?
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quote Chaunce1234:Personally, if I had a small hernia that was not bothering me at all, and that a surgeon told me was low risk and thus suitable for watchful waiting, then I would likely wait. But if your hernia is painful or bothering you, or if a surgeon says it is risky, then of course consider surgery.
Aim to be comfortable with both your surgeon (or their expertise) and the procedure itself.
What symptoms do you currently experience? What procedure are you considering?
Where are you located? Perhaps someone can provide you with the name(s) of some regional hernia experts near you. It can be beneficial to get a second opinion.
Good luck, keep us updated on your decisions and progress.
I’m in Eastern Pennsylvania. 2 hours from NYC or Philadelphia. Considering regular open surgery. Only symptoms I have is a dull groin ache if I am on my feet all day long. Or if I go for a long hike, or something. Otherwise, I’d never even know I had it besides the small bulge. I have tried to look up photos online to see how my bulge compares to others. Somedays it’s barely there and almost flat. Other’s it might feel like it’s the size of an egg cut in half.
I am seeing the surgeon tomorrow, actually. As I mentioned, I had (have?) a scheduled surgery date for Nov. 30. But I called the office and explained I am putting that on hold for now. They understood and said “it’s your body, you have to make the right decision”. They advised me they will technically keep the date booked until after I talk to the surgeon (tomorrow). He is the chief of general surgery at a Geisigner satellite hospital.
One thing that intrigues me is that I only live about 90 minutes from the North Penn Hernia Institute and as somebody mentioned, Dr. Goodyear. When I first researched this months ago, I was turned off by that. A place that only did hernia surgeries almost sounded like a shady gimmick, and it was best done in a hospital setting. Although I am still researching, I now realize I was wrong, and perhaps a place that *only* does hernias is a better option. It’s one of my questions for the surgeon tomorrow, although I really don’t know how I’ll frame the question without insulting him.
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Thank you for all the replies. This forum is a positive support system.