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Double inguinal hernia keyhole surgery on NHS

Posted , 4 users are following.

gray821
gray821

Hi, I've posted before and got some really good advice so hoping for more please!

I saw the consultant today who said I have a double inguinal hernia and they recommended keyhole surgery with mesh.

I play a lot of tennis and I lost about 3 stone in weight last year just before developing the hernia problem. I'm really hoping I'll be able to get back to my normal level of tennis after the procedure.

I've had the problem on the right side for about 4 months. The lump pops out and it's difficult to push back in. I usually have to lie down on my left side and after about 10 minutes I can start to push it in. I haven't got the lump on the left side but for the past 2 weeks under the skin has felt firmer than normal.

Does anyone have experience of having double keyhole surgery with mesh on the NHS? I'm still considering private but I have no idea if that would be better. Having tried to read up and after reading some horror stories about mesh I'm absolutely petrified!!

0 likes, 13 replies

13 Replies

  • tay56201
    tay56201 gray821

    Posted

    Oh dude , I am also petrified,I have just missed my pre operating assessment last week, I have also inguinal hernia for the past 5 month, I was very active fitness fanatic, since the hernia I had to stop, I lost all the muscles that it took me years to build.

    Have you considered using hernia truss! I have been using one since I found out that I got the hernia, they do help, I have it on 24 hours, I only take them off when I am having my shower and during my bowel movements, but please read the instructions on the hernia truss box carefully and consult a good caring doctor. I personally think privately better, I know several friends who did it privately and they are all as good as new, but of course like in anything in life; the luck is very important factor. I personally if I decided to do it I will do it privately, but even then there's no guarantee.

    Best wishes

  • scott79586
    scott79586 gray821

    Posted

    hello, once mesh is placed by laparoscopic means it is harded to remove then if it was placed in traditional open surgery, this is my current problem . NO ONE wants to take it out because it was placed in this manner and it can damage one of the 3 nerves in the front there. Once mesh is placed not many Drs will even try to remove it . After 11 years of suffering a return hernia that NO ONE wants to re repair. and IBS symtoms due to Auto immune trigger from the foreign body responce from the mesh. I wish I never had mesh placed in my body! I was a healthy 37 year old male and was very active...NOT anymore my life as it was, is ruined.
  • gray821
    gray821

    Posted

    Thanks guys for the responses. I'm even more scared now! Really don't know what to do.

    Are any of the private doctor's specialists in this specific surgery? Please help!

  • scott79586
    scott79586 gray821

    Posted

    Get the surgery if it hurts you, but dont get mesh. the reoccurence is greater with mesh even though they say it isnt, and some Drs will do a natural tissue repair. but dont get mesh, thats the main point. once it goes in the foreign body responce smothers your insides with scar tissue.
    • gray821
      gray821 scott79586

      Posted

      Hi Scott, how can I do that? The consultant I spoke to said they only do it with mesh. Will I need to go private? Are there any specialists in this surgery?
  • scott79586
    scott79586 gray821

    Posted

    I used to think there were only 3 Drs in the USA who only removed mesh, and I used to think only 3 or 4 did non mesh repairs, but it turns out here, we have several that will not use mesh in a small repair , and some who wont use mesh at all! you have to keep asking around from hospital to hospital, and Dr to Dr, it took me over a year and calling 15 Doctors before I found what I was looking for. Most will tell you " Its not the mesh it the way it was placed in you" and to that I say BS!

    • RuinedByMesh
      RuinedByMesh scott79586

      Posted

      Where are you located Scott? If you are in the US you should see a scecialist like Dr Ramshaw. I'm in the same situation as you, and i'm going to get my mesh removed laparoscopically. Do not choose a surgeon based on how much they are marketing themself, but based on their complication rate, experience and overall result.

  • scott79586
    scott79586 gray821

    Posted

    I am in Pennsylvania, where is Dr ramshaw located?

     

    • RuinedByMesh
      RuinedByMesh scott79586

      Posted

      Dr Bruce Ramshaw is located in Knoxville, Tennessee.

      You also have Igor Belyanski in Annapolis, Brian Jacob in New York and Todd Heniford in Charlotte.

    • scott79586
      scott79586 RuinedByMesh

      Posted

      Yes I seen Dr Jacob in NYC and he is a good Dr however he is OUT OF NETWORK of insurance so he can back bill you the complete cost the insurance company wont, and this can get very expensive. So I found one in Philly who will also remove mesh but Unlike Dr Jacobs will NOT use mesh in the new repair. and this Dr will only do it after his GI team assures him its nothing else in the GI area and is indeed the mesh. But some Drs like Jacobs want to use mesh after removing the old mesh and place this new mesh in the new repair...and this scares me because one of the Drs who does this uses a recalled mesh...... I just dont know who to trust anymore.
  • gray821
    gray821

    Posted

    Any advice on UK doctors? I was thinking about the British Hernia Centre and London Hernia. Any thoughts on these places an potential doctors would really help me out.
    • tay56201
      tay56201 gray821

      Posted

      Hiya, my neighbour did the inguinal hernia surgery on September 2008, he told me that he had no problems what so ever, and he is pain free, he is quite active person and plays Golf, go gym ect, I have asked him few months ago for the name of the surgeon who done the surgery for him.This is it; Ameet patel consultant surgeon, let me know how you get on, best wishes

    • tay56201
      tay56201 gray821

      Posted

      But of course remember you must check him out, and do your own reached!
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