Hernia - Questions

About a month ago, I was moving some stuff at work and felt something pull down in my groin area. I really noticed the problem when I sneezed and could feel something different in that area as well.
After dealing with Concentra Dr.'s and having a Ultrasound and a CT Scan there was not 100% Certainty I had a hernia but I knew something was wrong. I had an appointment with a surgeon on Tuesday and he confirmed without a doubt I have one on my left and possibly one on my right side. I am meeting with another surgeon for a second opinion and to compare my comfort level with both.
Of course surgery is the only method of correction, and he typically uses the Robotic and laparoscopic method with Mesh rather than open.
I know there can be some permanent some side effects if there are complications such as but not limited to, rejection of the mesh, infection, pain, etc....

For those of you who have had surgery,
What surgery method did the Dr. do ?
Any specific questions I should be asking the Surgeons?
How was recovery?
What should I expect?
Any side effects after the surgery?
Any regret having the surgery?
Any other advice or information?

Sorry for all the questions, but I like to talk to people who have 1st hand experience with this rather than taking the word of a Dr.
Thanks for all the info, it is much appreciated!!

 

I had an inguinal hernia develop on my right side in August 2021. Still not exactly sure why, possibly due to loading camping gear in and out of the truck, though my parents seem to think it was from waterskiing. I ignored it longer than I should have then finally got a referral from my doctor in March 2022, saw a surgeon in June and had it repaired in December.

My repair was not laparoscopic. He cut me open, tied off and and removed the hernia sac and installed a piece of mesh. I was laid up for about a week recovering then worked part time for another week as I was still pretty tired and not able to sit comfortably for 8 hours in a day. There was some initial discomfort around the mesh but that went away after a couple weeks as my body got used to it being there. I was able to manage my pain just with Tylenol for about 3 weeks and didn't need the narcotics I was prescribed.

My hernia came back in July 2023 while I was carrying my daughter (who was 30 or 35 pounds at the time) on a walk. It was initially small and I was pissed off at the potential idea of having to have it repaired every year so I again ignored it until it progressed to the point where I had to do something about it. Saw my surgeon in January. He couldn't or wouldn't really say why it came back. Sounds like he may have to put at least two pieces of mesh in this time. I just saw him yesterday to get my surgery expedited as my pain has gotten worse the last 4 weeks or so. I'm going December 5th.

My surgeon initially thought about trying to do my second surgery laparoscopically until he saw how bad my hernia is. I believe @jewsNbrews also recommended against that method.

If your hernias are inguinal, don't wait to get the surgery. You don't want to have to deal with them possibly moving down further into your groin.

 

The other possible reason that my surgery came back, in my opinion, is because of my participation in a research study that my surgeon was doing at the time of my first surgery. Apparently, the team wanted to see if exercise could help prevent the recurrence of hernias. They had a control group that was just told of the benefits of exercise and then another group (the one I was in) that had exercises to do every day leading up to the surgery and then after the surgery. About a week after my surgery, they had me doing core exercises and gradually working my way up to doing pushups and lifting a box with weights in it. If I recall correctly, the official guidance from the surgeon was not to lift more than 20 pounds until at least 12 weeks after the surgery while the study had me lifting 30 pounds before that time. I also notice their followup on the study ended at the 12 week mark.

My surgeon neglected to mention the study when I went back for the consult on my second hernia so my guess is they didn't see the results they were expecting.

 

Thanks for the info. I want to have the surgery ASAP to get back normal.
I have good days and bad days and most of the time it is just uncomfortable, but some days depending on what I am doing can be some pretty bad pain.
I am hoping if all goes well, to have the surgery by the end of the year.
I have a big vacation (Cruise across the Atlantic) scheduled for the end of April and I do not want to have to cancel that.

 

This is also good info because I go to the gym everyday except weekends. I don't typically lift a lot, but I at least do cardio just to get some good exercise and help lose/maintain my weight and tone.

 

That sucks, sorry to hear that, hernias aren't fun.

I had an inguinal hernia probably 12-15 years ago on my left side, lifted something heavy at work and felt a pop, stopped but didn't notice anything so I went about my day. A week later while on vacation I was uncomfortable and then noticed a lump in that area, I knew what it was. Went back to work the following week and explained it. They sent me in to be checked, the doctor said he couldn't tell so they scheduled me with a surgeon anyway. Right away he was able to tell I had a hernia. I didn't get any ultrasound or CT scan, just physical exams.

Honestly I don't know what method of surgery I had, other than I know I had mesh placed to repair. Recovery wasn't too bad from what I recall, obviously painful but nothing extreme from what I can remember, just took it slow. I don't remember if they had me doing anything specific. I was younger, late 20's at the time so I'm sure that helped. As for side effects, I have some discomfort in that area every once in a while but nothing more than an annoyance really, other than that I've been fine. No regrets, I don't know how people go so long without surgery to repair it, I was uncomfortable most of the time.

 

You probably won't feel up to doing cardio for at least a few weeks after the surgery.

I also had to wear pajama pants for a few weeks, partially because of where my incision is and partially because I only own jeans and dress pants.

 

Damn, I always think about the possibility of getting one on the opposite side as they say that can happen, but hadn't thought about the original one coming back. Best of luck with a speedy recovery.

 

ah, I had forgot about that, I wore sweat pants for a few weeks as well, I normally always wear jeans.

 

I did mine last year.

laparoscopic. mine were very small. per the CAT scan .

I was back heavy lifting in 6 months.

they even did (meshed) the other side to prevent the other one.

 

Good info, I'm having a few issues now myself, not sure if it's a hernia or diverticulitis. Only hurts when I cough or sneeze. No bulging or any other symptoms. On antibiotics now to see if it helps. CT scan is next on the list. Thanks for this thread.

 

to add:

I had a CT scan with contrast.

it showed everything.


and my issue was genetic...most men are.

get it taken care of quick & you avoid the nasty surgery later.

 

Any uncomfort or pain now?

 

none.

you feel the mesh for a month or so....then nothing.

it hurt for about a week. only at the incision site (belly button)

cutting the abs....always hurts. you use them ALL THE TIME.

 

My CT scan was with contrast too. I’m hoping mine is small and will be easy to fix.

 

I had a large inguinal hernia on my left side in 2017 (popped at the bottom of a heavy single leg barbell squat). Had surgery (open incision) to repair it almost right away (within a week of it occuring). I had mild discomfort for maybe a week or 10 days, and was back to normal in about a month. Worst part was I had a Golf GTI with a stick that I couldn't drive, so I had to borrow a PT Cruiser from a family member and drive that to college for 2 weeks lol

 

I live with hernia for about a decade. Trying to avoid surgery as long as possible. Best countermeasure for me is to avoid doing stupid things, like lifting heavy weight with bent spine, and sleeping on a soft squishy mattresses. I also switched to a standing desk (white collar, yes). So far it only immobilized me for weeks twice: the very first time, when I didn't know what the heck is going on, and last spring, when I felt like I have no hernia for a year and committed into doing stupid things again.

 

The way they deal with hernias now is a heck of a lot different way back when. Now
they repair from the top instead of going deep and repair from the inside out. They have it down to a science these days and you should not have any problems. All the best!!!

 

I had an inguinal hernia on right side about 17 yrs ago. Knocked out, mesh put in, 2 weeks laid up. Pooping for the first time and laughing were uncomfortable. After a couple months business as usual. I now have a belly button one I’ve been putting off getting treated.
Get it taken care of asap as it could be a serious issue. It’s not that bad of a procedure.

 

I had one on my left side that was huge . I felt a little twinge when I was lifting something at work but later on at home I sneezed and the pain almost brought me to my knees , it just let loose . I had the surgery and they removed my gallbladder at the same time ( I had gallstones for about 10 years ) . I can honestly say the the gallbladder hurt worse than the hernia . They put the mesh in and I haven’t had any problems since , that was 30 years ago .

 

My brother apparently had one on each side when he was 18 months old, so there may be some kind of genetic predisposition there not related to lifting things.

 

Yeah, I've heard that before

 

I Had 2 hernia surgeries one with mesh and one to fix the mess that the mesh caused. I had 2 nerves entrapped in the mesh, the ilioinguinal and the genitofemoral. In the end those nerves had to be transected. I would look into mesh entrapment issues and ask your surgeon very pointed questions. I did a lot of research on this issue, all the mesh does is save the Dr. time. I had quite a hard time finding a surgeon who would go back on another surgeons work, so you want it right the first time.

 

Sorry to hear that. I’ve been researching this too and the first surgeon did mention that this could be one of the worst case complications. When you had the nerves transected, did it fix everything and are they any side effects to that? From what I’ve read, the mesh helps decrease the chance of it reoccurring. Can you expand on any your experiences please. What were the side effects of the entrapment? How long ago did all this happen? Did you have open or laparoscopic? Any other info or exact questions I should ask would be greatly appreciated.

 

Yup, open hernia repair would be my choice. I've seen too many laparoscopic hernia repairs reherniate and need a second surgery. Robotic hernia repair for most patients was extremely painful. Fast healing but terrible 3-4 days post op. But, that could also be the surgeon who performed those surgeries. He no longer works with us.

 

Double hernia here and repaired laparoscopically. Has been 5 years ago with no issues. The real concern with a hernia lies in strangulation of the bowel cutting off blood flow, then you have real problems. Best wishes for a good repair and fast recovery.

 

Doctors are like car mechanics: hit or miss. I.e. avoid wherever possible

 

I had one repaired 40 years ago, old school repair, I have a scar (goes nicely with my nearby appendectomy scar). I don’t remember any discussion of using any mesh. No issues or problems once it healed up and never came back. No regrets.

 

my understanding...

the mesh is only an option if the hernia is very small.

in my case it was VERY small...I only had a small piece of fat that would go in/out.

I felt it...not pain...but, I felt it.

CAT scan caught it....we fixed it before it became a problem.


Dr. told me most dudes let it ride till it becomes a problem.

 

Mine ( inguinal) showed up in the early 2000s and after I went to the doctor to confirm he said it was minor and have surgery when you get sick of it. So in 2019 after helping push a lawn mower on to a trailer it hit with a vengeance and I scheduled surgery. My doctor gave me 2 options, the laparoscopic or external, he said everything was the same regarding time and recovery except if it mattered the external was just that, they didn't go inside the body cavity ( mesh on the outside) and the anesthesia was easier to deal with. I had an uneventful surgery and no issues since, but I will warn you the next day was some of the most intense pain I ever felt, but the good thing is the pain went away by 50% each day and after 3 or 4 days it was all behind me. In talking with 3 or 4 other guys I know of varying ages, they all said the pain was so bad in recovery they would never have it done again, my thoughts too. It made me feel better that it wasn't just me feeling like that but now that it is 5 years in the past I am glad I had it done.