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Dand,

I appreciate your posting your success with your mesh surgery. For people like myself, for whom non-mesh was not a given option – even after discussing the possibility with several top hernia surgeons from this forum, it is good to know that some people are experiencing success. This is not to take away from the reality that many people are suffering from hernia mesh. It’s just not often one comes back to post that they are doing well years later and it is good to know about it. I have learned that anytime one has to have any kind of surgery, it is best to do your homework and try to make your odds as best as you can with a skilled and highly recognized surgeon.

I hope you can post continued success in the coming years!

Sue

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Pretty sure he meant unusual.

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Just to clarify – my first surgery wasn’t for incontinence.

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It’s a good question. When going for “female” surgery, I did everything to avoid mesh due to the serious complications from it. My surgeon used a strip from my abdomen – which ultimately caused the femoral hernia issues I now have. I’ve ironically needed mesh for one side already and will need to do the other side very soon. I opted out of tissue from my leg or other areas for my original surgery because I learned that many people commonly suffered from disfiguring and physical harm with that option. I did not do the original surgery laparoscopically though – and that could have made all the difference in developing my hernias. My surgeon was an old school surgeon and otherwise did a great job. At the time I had little options for surgeons who would do surgery without mesh for my first surgery – so I felt he was my best bet.

So far – 2.5 years out – I am doing fine with my first femoral hernia surgery with a light weight mesh performed by Dr Brian Jacobs. The type of mesh is listed in my past postings. I do have slight sensations of mesh in my hernia area – but really nothing to complain about. I do feel that my body has had a reaction to having it in me – but again, it is so extremely slight – and I don’t have the big concerns of constantly worrying my family that I have to go for an emergency surgery at a local hospital where I would’ve lost all the benefits of an elective surgery with a dr of my choosing. Towards the end, my hernia would bulge to the size of a large grapefruit and cause considerable pain and worry. Femoral hernias, unlike inguinal hernias, require mesh – as I learned they are more likely to recur and up the chances of nerve damage due to repeated surgeries. In addition, they are more like to strangulate – so it is best not to delay the surgery when it becomes necessary. I was around 115 pounds at the time of my surgery and was in good physical shape, so it was not an issue of weight or not exercising. Deciding to get mesh was difficult. But ultimately it was necessary in my situation.

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Dog – you were funnier then David Letterman on his show!!! It was great to watch! And I learned a lot of dog training info too.

I enjoyed reading your whole hernia journey too. Thanks for sharing it.

[seeker]

It is not my intention to belittle your experience with mesh. In fact, I waited two years and tried to avoid having it implanted myself. I came to this forum and read thouroughly and sought the advise of the best surgeons mentioned on it. I had some scary painful experiences with my hernia pre surgery and had to make a decision. My posting was to explain that sometimes hard choices must be made. I spoke with two friends who had mesh implanted 10 years + and were doing well. I appreciate yours and others efforts to alert future patients of what can go wrong. But there are many good outcomes from hernia surgeries with mesh and I feel that must be acknowledged too.

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I’m not sure. But Dr Ramshaw, Dr Towfigh, Dr Goodyear and Dr Jacobs all highly recommended mesh for a femoral hernia. They are all top hernia surgeons. They could explain best the answer to your wonderings.

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I understand that for many cases – hernia repairs can be reliably done without mesh. But there are many cases where mesh is required. I had a femoral hernia and was informed that I could have a non mesh repair but that it would likely not hold as well as a mesh repair for that area of the body and that a second non mesh repair needed within 5+ years would likely effect the many pelvic nerves in that area and cause pain. I went to a top surgeon to have what I felt would be the safest mesh repair I could have. He was sincerely interested in my long term health from this surgery and I felt that with his guidance I made the best decision – which involved mesh. I’m not wild about having mesh in me – but so far I am doing fine – two years out. I often think about the many people who have surgeries after auto accidents or even from hernias that require immediate attention. You are left to whatever the local hospital em surgeon decides for you. To find a reputable surgeon you trust after doing your homework proves to be the best option. You can over analyze to the point that you build up too much fear to do anything. My surgery has made my life and health so much better. I find these studies interesting having opted for mesh. But ultimately, I trusted my surgeon.

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3 weeks post op

Wow Mel – I’m so sorry to hear about what you and you’re husband are dealing with in your lives. These serious medical issues make time stop and has one realizing what is really important in life. I hope that he finds treatment that helps him get back to his base line quickly so that you both can enjoy the holidays some and so that he can start the new year on a good footing.

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3 weeks post op

I think of you often Mel, but was afraid to keep pestering you about your recovery. So glad to hear that you are making good progress.

My daughter is not doing well. I don’t even concern myself with my aches and pains any longer. No time to. I guess it’s a good thing I got the surgery done when I did because I would have been in the local hospital getting it done for sure with all the stress caused by her illness.

Have a good holiday, Mel. Glad you are out of the pain you suffered through all summer long. Keep in touch. Maybe if they get private messaging – we can exchange phone numbers in the future.

My Best,
Sue

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3 weeks post op

How are you doing, Mel?

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3 weeks post op

I am still dealing with the psychological aspect of knowing mesh is in me. I can feel it. But it is not tender to the touch. My digestive system is way off. I think I have scarring going on from the laparoscopic surgery up near my belly button. I feel this hard flat lump there. I get indigestion and must eat smaller meals. I don’t get hungry – my desire for food is not there anymore. And I still have the seromas that cause discomfort. Getting around is fine. I have slight sensations radiating down hernia leg to knee. I would be walking a lot more if my daughter weren’t so sick.

I so wish you were feeling a lot better. Are you taking probiotics and eating easily digested meals? Have you reduced gluten, sugar and dairy? I’ve given up caffeine and alcohol. Never had much of either before tho. Trying to do everything to get my stomach working as well as it did before surgery.

You said your friends thought it took around 8 weeks until they felt better. Did they have lap surgery with mesh?

Lets hope time heals.

[seeker]

3 weeks post op

How are you feeling Mel?

[seeker]

NEW! HerniaTalk site coming soon…

Could you add private messaging among members? Other forums have this feature for members to use for more personal postings that would not be of use to the hernia community – but that offer support never the less. It is similar to the physicians having the ability to communicate privately between themselves.

[seeker]

Re: mesh or no mesh surgery

Mel,

Thank you for reaching out and offering me a positive frame of mind. I so wish I could private message you somehow. Sensing from your postings that you have had a tougher go of it with recovery makes me feel badly about me voicing my concerns. A positive frame of mind is so important in recovery. Perhaps it is the strain of addressing my daughter’s serious health concerns that are making my recovery a more difficult one then it would have been.

I do appreciate your constant reaching out to set me straight. I am truly grateful always to hear from you.

Sue

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Re: mesh or no mesh surgery

Dr Towfigh – I guess I’m just lamenting the fact that I got the femoral hernia in the first place – with no great options for repair. I really do not like this feeling of mesh in me. But I appreciate your pointing out why I should feel more fortunate.

Chauncey – Thank you for your positive spin. I never noticed my hernia was there 99% of the time. In the 2 months preceding my operation – I did have four questionable moments (with the fourth being the most serious and painful one) where the hernia got bigger and made me lay down until the pain subsided. Looking back – as my hernia was incarcerated – I am lucky it did not strangulate. I never thought it was a femoral hernia until I finally sought a surgeon who made that diagnosis.

As far as the hernia pain being relieved – I now feel something where my hernia was all of the time and have strange sensations radiating all over my stomach and down my leg. It just feels strange. Before, I honestly felt nothing there other then the four painful times I had just prior to surgery. Knowing now that a femoral hernia is a more dangerous one, I will need to count my blessings.

I eat amazingly well. No wheat, no dairy, no caffeine, no sugar, …..and I really enjoy my food options – we live smack in the middle of so many organic farms. I walked 2-3 or more miles a day for 2 weeks as soon as I was able to after surgery – but my daughter has gotten increasingly sick this past week and a half – and I have had to neglect exercise to help her. Maybe this has not helped with recovery.

I found your posting very uplifting – thank you for reaching out.

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Developing bumps after lap. hernia surgery

Thanks Beenthere,

It’s good to know they got absorbed finally. They make me feel like I have the hernia back and can be really uncomfortable and somewhat painful. So good to know you experienced them with no lingering issues. My surgeon confirmed they were seromas today. He said they were small ones.

Otherwise, I’m moving around well and have been given the go to begin exercising!

-Sue

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Feeling post surgical anxiety

Hi again Mel,

Just checking in with you again – is all going any better?

Wish we could private message each other…..

Sue

[seeker]

Feeling post surgical anxiety

Mel,

Is the sciatica pain in your leg? You said you had a reprieve – so does that mean it’s back? You didn’t have this before surgery? Sometimes I feel sensations down my leg – but they are fleeting and short lived and not anything that have concerned me.

The seroma is driving me insane. I honestly never felt my femoral hernia 99% of the time. It got bad 4 x’s over 2 months – and that made me concerned about having to get it fixed at the local ER. So this constant uncomfortable and dull pain feeling of the seroma – half making me feel it’s the hernia returned – is annoying. My seroma near my belly button doesn’t seem as bad as the one near my hernia. Maybe if I only had that one – it would. Not seeing that there is a sure fire way of reducing these is frustrating. I must trust what the surgeons are telling me – that time will resolve them. Do you massage yours Mel?

I am walking around fine now. In fact, I have to remind my family that I had surgery 9 days ago and that I need to rest more then they think I do. I definitely don’t have my energy back and tire easily. My daughter is very sick with a strange autoimmune disease and walking is her therapy. So she gets me out walking 2 or more miles a day.

I don’t seem to have any pain other then from these possible seromas. I sleep fine through out the night. My stomach feels more tense and harder then it use to all over.
Not sure what that’s about. My stomach just seems to be operating more strangely then it used to. So hopefully time will help. I drive and grocery shop and and cook and do dishes and even did some light garden work today. I do a lot of meditation to keep the anxiety at bay and to stay in the moment.

It is good to get your postings of confidence in our recovery journey Mel. Thank you for keeping in touch.

Sue

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Developing bumps after lap. hernia surgery

Hi Mel,

Thanks for your posting.

Did your friends have laparoscopic surgery? Did they have seromas?

Surgery is traumatic for your body. 8 weeks sounds reasonable.

Sue