Food for thought

I am in the same decision making valley and cannot eat food, only liquids.  I have read so many terrifying stories of botched surgeries (medical error is the third killer in the US today) that I have decided to endure until I cannot make it without surgery.  There are commercials every single day on television saying "if you have used _____mesh, call the law offices of BLack and WHite."  I would research the very best surgeon for this procedure and go where ever they are.  I don't mean to scare you but you have to protect yourself.  There are so many people being harmed and left in far worse condition.  Choose a surgeon like you would choose a spouse.  You will be living with their work for the rest of your life.

. Christa , this is a redacted version of my original post   ,because it appears we have some Prima Donnas on this site and  therefore  my previous post was removed  After reading as many research journals as possible, it appears that a new technique that coats a synthetic mesh with   stem cells has been used with success to reduce  inflammation, and   is highly promising . Although I doubt that that this mesh would be available to mere mortals such as ourselves, at this time ! ..  As described by one specialist hernia surgeon on the SAGES  forum the highest rate of success with a  biologic is when the hernia defect  can be completely closed , he had only an 3% failure rate over  4 years .If the tear cannot be closed then you would probably  have to use a bridging technique with a  synthetic  mesh .. There are problems, using the  current biologics  available because they  degrade over time by the action of  enzymes , and you generally  just have the hernia reappear again . There is one surgeon in Australia who is using a technique on, previously inoperable very large hernias, with Botox, which enables him to make the defect smaller, but I believe he still uses synthetic mesh. I am frightened myself, because I have two ventral Incisional  hernias  , which are particularly prone to failure . But  at some stage you have to make the best informed decision  that  you  possibly can.with the information available..Personally, I will try to go with the very latest synthetics, which have a higher tensile strength   and    degrade into the body over three years , Theses meshes   have demonstrated reduced inflammatory action, but you then have to find a hernia surgeon   who  is prepared  to use this  particular mesh .As  you stated financial preference   by particular doctors may then  play a part in their decision making process. I have no financial interest at all in any mesh product and have written only as one who is suffering from this condition.I hope this has helped you in some small way in your final difficult decision ,Do as much research as possible yourself ,and good luck!