Mike M
Forum Replies Created
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What’s a Marcy Repair?
* Developed by Marcy in the early 20th century, it’s typically used for small indirect hernias (especially in children)
* It involves high ligation of the hernia sac and minimal reinforcement of the internal ring
* It’s a simple, low-tension repair with no deep muscular reconstruction
* Does not involve reconstruction of the posterior wall of the inguinal canal
* Considered too minimal for larger or complex hernias in adults
While it’s understandable that some might draw comparisons between Dr. Kang’s method and the Marcy repair due to their shared use of native tissue and tension-free principles, this comparison doesn’t hold up under surgical scrutiny. The Marcy repair is a simple high ligation technique primarily used for small, indirect hernias — often in pediatric cases — and does not involve posterior wall reconstruction. In contrast, Dr. Kang’s technique is a modern, anatomically precise evolution of the original (uncorrupted) Bassini method. It reconstructs the posterior wall by approximating the conjoined tendon and transversalis fascia to the inguinal ligament using permanent Prolene sutures, resulting in a durable, multi-layered repair suitable for all hernia types, including complex or recurrent cases. His outcomes — including <1% recurrence and minimal chronic pain — far exceed what’s expected from a Marcy repair, and are a testament to the structural integrity and versatility of his technique.
TL;DR: Marcy is more like a tidy tie-off than a full structural rebuild
* The Bassini Repair (Original vs. Corrupted)
* Original Bassini (1880s) was actually very innovative
* Reconstructed the posterior wall of the inguinal canal using the conjoined tendon and transversalis fascia, sutured to the inguinal ligament
* Done properly, it respects the anatomical planes and muscular dynamics
* But over time, many versions became tension-based, rushed, or altered with poor technique — leading to recurrence and pain
* That “corrupted” Bassini gave tissue repairs a bad rep and opened the door for mesh
TL;DR: Real Bassini is solid, but corrupted Bassini is what failed people
So What Is Dr. Kang Doing?
* Dr. Kang is not doing a Marcy. His technique is far more comprehensive and versatile:
* He reconstructs the posterior wall of the inguinal canal
* Uses deep, tension-free sutures to approximate natural tissue planes (transversalis fascia + conjoined tendon → inguinal ligament)
* Reinforces multi-directionally, respecting anatomical function
* Can be used for direct, indirect, femoral, and recurrent hernias
* Uses Prolene sutures to permanently support tissue without foreign mesh
* Emphasizes individualized anatomy, which is something Marcy never accounted for
TL;DR: Dr. Kang’s repair is a modernized, anatomically correct evolution of the original Bassini, not a Marcy, and definitely not the flawed versions that fell out of favor.
So why do people confuse it with a Marcy?
Surface-level descriptions of Kang’s technique can sound “minimal” or “simple,” like Marcy — but the execution is far more advanced
Skeptics should review reviewed Kang’s surgical diagrams, intraoperative videos, or long-term data that he has released so far. I agree I would love to see more, even training stateside.
However to assume any non-mesh method that avoids large cuts is “Marcy-like,” which is overly simplistic and incorrect imho.
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Editing didn’t work. Will revise in follow up post.
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This reply was modified 2 months, 1 week ago by Mike M.
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This reply was modified 2 months, 1 week ago by
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Most people can fast diet 5lbs-10lbs easy using reduced caloric intake or greatly reducing carbs/sugar before surgery.
Past that without weights you are looking at something like a fast mimicking diet, caloric deficit, or a legit fast for 48hrs+. FMD, OMAD (one meal a day), water fast, etc. are all there to shock your body into using ketones instead of glucose for most energy function. Keep in mind you want to be metabolically flexible and be able to switch back and forth between the two. That will enable the best results going into and out of those types of fasts.
Pre surgery I did a quick keto and it worked well to shed 10lbs. A lot depends on your current size, build, etc.
Post Surgery I found that FMD every 25 day, normal diet in between (minus a lot of sugar or “bad” carbs), and resistance training. I lost a total of ~40lbs post surgery, gained about 10-15lbs of muscle in about the last 5 months of modest training (no crazy squats or deadlifts), 600 calories per day of cardio (8Mets or higher) on treadmill, resting 1-2 days per week. I wouldn’t do any of these pre-surgery though and I wait 2 years post surgery (too long) before I got serious into training again.
Men obviously have it a lot easier than women because muscle, testosterones, etc.
FMD is probably the best thing I have ever done in my life in regards to losing weight. You can create your own diet using the formula in the Longevity book by Dr. Longo or you can do what I did and buy Prolon 5 day FMD and use it every 25 days. It is kind of pricey but you can’t fail as long as you only eat what is in the box. Keep the gains going in between FMD by eating smart and at least a modest walk if you are unable to safely do anything else.
The only unknown is the adrenal issue. You don’t want to stress that out anymore by going on a fast or cutting carbs without a doctor supervision. I would inquire first with an endocrinologist and see if it is safe given your condition.
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Glad you had a successful experience too!
If you have time in a few months to update on your progress that would be great!
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#1. Direct Hernia
#2. 2+ years ago now?
#3. No. Operation was a success.
#4. Every person is different by people are cleared to go back to normal after 2-4 weeks typically with Dr. Kang. Personally I waited a year until I started lifting heavy and working out vigorously again which is probably way overboard. I ended up gaining 20lbs as a result of being “too safe” then losing 40lbs while adding 10lbs of muscle over the 5 months. This is 10lbs less than when I left South Korea. I plan on losing another 25lbs and attempting to gain another 8-10 lbs of muscle over the next 6 months
This speaks to the robustness of the repair and should help dispel some myths of mesh always being the “gold standard” especially in higher than normal BMI circumstances.
The only thing I am avoiding long term is heavy weight conventional squats atm.
Dr. Kang is the only person I would go to or go back to for a no mesh repair. I researched the others extensively. No Mesh is invasive enough without a lot of the added measures completed by the standard Shouldice procedure with equal or less positive results from feedback.
Edit: I did go with prolene non-absorbable sutures which was the standard for his procedure and because of the BMI considerations.
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Forums not form. Using speech to text on my phone and I can’t even go back and correct my previous replies.
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I cannot start discussions either.
The discussion format brings the forms back to traditional and usable forum.
That should really be the default format to be honest.
The other formats remind me of old bulletin board storyboard when logging in back in the 1990s.
Very primitive and archaic system of discussion.
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That is great news Ivan. Cheers to a permanent healthy repair!
I am going on 18 months with my Dr. Kang repair.
No issues so far and I started lifting pretty heavy again about 2 months ago.
Keep us updated.
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There is a recent review on here. It is mixed. I had a consult with him and I ultimately went with Dr. Kang.
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#1. I went from 0 (no hernia) to a 7 in pain with direct hernia in matter of 4-6 weeks.
#2. Sooner I did the surgery I felt I had better chance to recover completely. Age is always a factor in surgery imho.
#3. There was someone I found that I felt could resolve all my linger doubts with this type of operation and thankfully I was correct – Dr. Kang
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Dr. Kang is the best in regards to pure tissue repairs.
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I had mine done the same time as my direct inguinal hernia repair. No issues. The only option that was “highly” recommended was using perma sutures vs. absorb.
My umbilical hernia was 1cm. It was a joke compared to the direct inguinal hernia. Pain was never present at that location before, during, or after the procedure. I woke up during the operation when they were wrapping that part up.
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@chuck I had significant tension for the first two weeks. Stephen and Dr. Kang said it would resolve on its own and it did resolve after a month? I wasn’t too worried about it. The only thing I couldn’t do because of it within the first two weeks to four weeks was stand up for long periods of time or run. I cannot detect any tension now and can stand just like before my hernia and run full speed again without any issues.
I have been at the Orlando parks all this week doing +-G rollercoasters, standing, walking all day, no issues at all. I have been walking around 5-7 miles per day and standing for hours for the last two weeks.
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@Chuck In case you or watchful are wondering – Dr. Kang takes as long as necessary regardless and cuts no corners. He took his time for my repair due to the difficulty and thus lasted a bit longer than expected per Stephen.
Circling back to the first few days after surgery – yes painful but a small price to pay for the overall successful results.
There are so many factors involved in a successful repair but as Chuck has mentioned Dr. Kang has seen it all and has successfully tackled many challenging patients others might have turned away.
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@pinto You are arguing with a ghosts that arent there. I was just paraphrasing info from your previous replies on the forums to assist a member who asked. If some of your info got lost in the transcribe feel free to correct.
Cheers!
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One other quick note is you can really feel all the swelling and scarring tone down after the first week. I moved around a lot on the 5th day, like crazy, walking flights of stairs at the lotte tower. By the time my 2nd ultrasound a week or so later all the swelling was gone.
You do sweat some bullets wondering if the surgery “took”, if you over did it, it is easy to see, etc. But mine was perfect knock on wood!
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In regards to “scar tissue” – Moles, calcium deposits, etc. Things in the human body that you can “feel” but cause no pain. I have had scar tissue in other spots from playing sports and it’s really nothing.
One spot is the outside and inside of my left hand. I caught a football, hit the turf, kept moving except for that part of my hand thus the injury. After a few weeks no impact at all. I was in my early twenties and now Im in my late forties.
We’re really pulling at strings here guys. The key point is I was at a 7 in pain prior to surgery and I am at a 0.0 now.
Thanks guys and I hope this helps.
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Just to clarify a third time I never said anything whatsoever about pain after 1 year.
Not sure where they came from other than I can feel maybe a slight bit of scar tissue, maybe, but no pain.
What I did say is that I was told prior to surgery some cases could take longer than others (even a year+) but that was coming from multiple sources including Shouldice doctors that I went to in the U.S. I also read that on here from previous Shouldice patients.
AGAIN – NO PAIN after 1 year.
The only time I really had “pain” was the 1st week then it was mostly tension after that that went away and faded after a few months.
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Yes. Be patient and take as long as you feel your body needs to recoup. I was very casual on lifting heavy things until a few months after the surgery and I waited over a year before getting into a gym routine. Not mandatory (or perhaps necessary) but I errored on the side of caution.
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Hey Matt, I was deciding between Dr Grischkan and Dr. Kang before my repair in 2022. I was really leaning towards Dr. Grischkan because of all the experience, expert witness in court, the walls in his office are filled with positive letters from former patients, and he was only about 4 hours away.
However I eventually decided on Dr. Kang.
I couldn’t be happier with the results from Dr. Kang. There are a lot of different reviews from various members on here regarding their experience with Dr. Kang.