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Can anyone recommend a good surgeon for large Hernia repair?

Posted , 6 users are following.

debbie59329
debbie59329

I have a large abdominal hernia, my CT scan shows that it contains both bowel & bladder.  I saw a consultant at my local hospital (Derby) who quite frankly, was awful!  I returned to my GP and he helped me choose another Consultant, but at that appointment I was told I would need to be referred elsewhere - a larger hospital.  I did some research and asked my GP to refer me to a specialist in Edinburgh and although my GP was more than happy to refer me there, he explained that he will need to apply for funding for me to attend there. He has applied for the funding but he doesn't think his request will be granted.  I know that this is a big operation, I'm very nervous about it and I want to have confidence in the surgeon carrying out the procedure - I would rather stay as I am than have someone who is not experienced in repairing large hernia's.  Does anyone have any recommendations based on their own experience please - I would really appreciate some advice.

0 likes, 11 replies

11 Replies

  • airbles45
    airbles45 debbie59329

    Posted

    Hi Debbie, I had a Paraoesophageal Hernia operation last September. My stomach was pressing on my lungs and the hernia was 10cm. This was major surgery performed by a General Surgeon in Leicester Royal Infirmary. He did it keyhole and I had five little wounds which healed very quickly. He was a marvellous surgeon and I was only in hospital for 2 & a bit days. Hope this helps. 
    • debbie59329
      debbie59329 airbles45

      Posted

      Hi Airbles,thank you for replying,  I have read about a surgeon in Leicester - Ian Beckingham, is this the surgeon who carried out your surgery, or if not would you mind sharing his name please so I can look him up.  I have been told that I'm not able to have keyhole surgery, my hernia is too large so I will have to have open surgery
  • airbles45
    airbles45 debbie59329

    Posted

    No it wasn't that doctor Debbie but I don't think I should share on this site. I will look for a way to message you with the name although if you go into General Surgeons on Leicester Royal Infirmary site it is the Surgeon who specialises in cancer ops and hernia ops.
    • debbie59329
      debbie59329 airbles45

      Posted

      Thank you Airbles - if you click on the envelope underneath my icon, you should be able to message me :-)
  • ctrix1
    ctrix1 debbie59329

    Posted

    Im' sorry that I can't recommend a good surgeon for your procedure because I'm on the other side of the pond, but I had the same kind of hernia. An inguinal hernia where the bladder goes through also. They called it a bladder slider. When the hospital"s chief surgeon asked me to tell her about it, she stopped me short and said "I just described a bladder slider", and she "won't do anything until a urologist has a look". The urologist did an ultra sound and said it was indeed a bladder slider.  Appearently, this is a very rare type of hernia, and it takes an experienced surgeon to fix it because, when they open you up, things aren't where they're supposed to be, and it can throw an inexperienced surgeon for a loop. It turned out she did it, along with another experienced surgeon and a group of medical students and interns watching. It took four hours to get things back into place, and then fix the hernia. They did a good job, and things have been great since. Maybe you should first talk to a urologist, or the hospital's chief surgeon. Good luck with it.
    • debbie59329
      debbie59329 ctrix1

      Posted

      Hi ctrix1, thank you for for your response, its good to hear that you found someone who was able to help you and that you have had a positive outcome.  I think my hernia is different to yours.  I had urology surgery last year and although the op was a success I unforturnately contracted an infection in the wound site while I was in hospital.  My hernia is a result of the infection which has basically destroyed my abdominal wall,  My urologist did refer me to a General Surgeon at the same hospital for repair.  It is quite complex so I am now looking for someone who has had lots of experience in repairing this type of hernia. I hope that like you, I can find someone who can help me and look forward to a successful repair.
  • shirley133
    shirley133 debbie59329

    Posted

    Hi Debbie I am assuming you mean Mr De beaux in Edinburgh, you could go private if you have health insurance, or he charges £10,000 flat rate for all his hernia repairs.  I went to him stayed in hospital 5 days stayed in Edinburgh longer to recover a bit.  His wound closure is first class he is an embroiderer, I had no infections following the surgery he uses antibiotics directly in to the wound.  My scar is very fine now, I have had 4 previous abdominal surgeries, 3 C sections and a laprotomy as my bowel perforated due to adhesions from C sections.  I stayed in Edinburgh Royal Infirmary the whole team are brilliant.  I think he is the best try to persuade your doctor to get the funding to go to Edinburgh, it will be cheaper in the long run as you will not get infections etc.  Shirley dancer
    • debbie59329
      debbie59329 shirley133

      Posted

      Hi Shirley, yes Mr De Beaux, I asked for him specifically after you wrote such an encouraging report about him.  I have now seen 2 consultants - the first in my local hospital, who was awful and didn't like me asking questions - he basically told me to go away and think about it and then discharged me!  The 2nd Consultant was at a hospital that ran an incisional hernia clinic, so I thought that would be a good place to go. The Consultant there was very good but he told me I wouldn't be able to have my op there as they don't have the facilities I would need for my operation - I would need to have it repaired in a large hospital.  The thing is, I know I need an expert - it's too large and complex for a "General Surgeon" to fix it, and I'm not saying that to be disrespectful to General Surgeons but I certainly don't want to have to go through it all again if the repair fails.  My GP is brilliant, very supportive.  He has no problem referring me to Mr De Beaux but is very doubtful we will get the funding, he said the local PCT are asking for cuts across the board and would not want to fund my treatment in Edinburgh if I can get in a more local hospital.  We will just have to keep everything crossed, but in the meantime I'm exploring other options.  If I could afford it, I would go private but unfortunatley I don't have £10k :-(  I did win a lucky dip on the lotto last night though so lets hope my numbers come up lol
  • shirley133
    shirley133 debbie59329

    Posted

    Let's hope and pray that you can go to the best surgeon for you, they are going to have to pay for your op anyway, it might be worthwile asking the difference in cost with the different options.  Plus you can look up the stats for the different surgeons and seriously you need the best who does not make costly mistakes for your own sake and costs to your health authority.  Hope you get a good outcome
  • shirley133
    shirley133 debbie59329

    Posted

    so sorry to news Debbie,  I must have made the request just at the right time,  however I did look up the results of the general surgeons in Hull and they were not good.  The surgeon who would have done my op said he didnt blame me going to Edinburgh, anecdotal evidence I know, but it does seem to point in the direction of needing a specialist surgeon for this type of  complex surgery.  Hope you find an excellent person soon
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