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Has anyone gotten their hernia mesh removed?

Posted , 51 users are following.

Esoteric
Esoteric

I'm finding it really hard to find actual people to discuss how they've recovered after having a mesh removed.

I had an umbilical hernia. They inserted a 10x5 cm mesh in me, and it has ruined my life.

I'm going to have it removed but it all sounds a bit dangerous.

I want to find ANYONE that's had theirs removed and how the healing and recovery went?

It would be a godsend to find someone else.

Thanks,

-Justin-

0 likes, 122 replies

122 Replies

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  • adele_89294
    adele_89294 Esoteric

    Posted

    Hello Justin, I had mesh removed inguinal hernia repair. Physically the surgical site has healed up well and looks good. Unfortunately I had damaged nerves in this area which caused chronic pain, although I believe in time this pain will recede. I am having more good days than bad of late.
    • Esoteric
      Esoteric adele_89294

      Posted

      Hi Adele

      A few people ahve suggested talking to you about it. I also have nerve damage but I'm sure the mesh being removed can only be a good thing. I have a few questions if you don't mind.

      How long has it been since you've had it removed?

      How long did it take to recover after taking the mesh out? They're going to cut me open to make sure they get all the mesh out.

      Are you able to work out? My biggest complaint now, aside from pain, is that I'm so out of shape. I used to be exrtremely active and hope to be able to get back to that way of living.

      Is there anything that's changed that I might not be thinking of? Random stuff like numbness, lack of sex drive or appetite - anything really that they didn't tell you before you had the surgery?

      Thank you so much. It helps me relax a bit to find someone that is better after the mesh has been removed.

      -Justin-

    • anthony46338
      anthony46338 Esoteric

      Posted

      Im not loosing my mind after all by reading about people suffering after HERNIA surgery like myself. My surgeon say he would go back in to remove my two pieces of mesh 10" by 15" even though this entire time hes put the pain on everything but the mesh of course. He's never performed a mesh removal either but thats the great treatment us VETERANS recieve at our WONDERFUL VA FACILITIES in LONG BEACH,CALIFORNIA. So know im searching for a second opinion and a Doctor that may tell the TRUTH! This was my third or fourth surgery for HERNIAS since 1990 which started while serving my duty in NAVY. Honestly im kinda a scared to have any other procedure after going through this constant pain and lack of appetite. Isould like to have my ACTIVE LIFESTYLE BACK. ANYsuggestions?

  • ed66
    ed66 Esoteric

    Posted

    Hi Justin

    There is a huge On going thread of this being discussed. Hope you find answers. Lots of us have taken part, Adele in particular has some amazing, helpful things to contribute

    • Esoteric
      Esoteric ed66

      Posted

      Hi Ed

      Thanks for getting back to me. I saw this convo but not all of the hernias were similar to my own, and it's so much info to go through I was kind of lost. I was trying to narrow it down a bit. Thanks again.

  • adele_89294
    adele_89294 Esoteric

    Posted

    Hi, I will try to answer your questions.

    Re:  few people have suggested talking to you about it. I also have nerve damage but I'm sure the mesh being removed can only be a good thing. I have a few questions if you don't mind.

    How long has it been since you've had it removed?

    Nearly 5 months now, but I have had several surgeries over the past 12 months or so, an emergency laparotomy/hemicolectomy - bowel resection and three for the inguinal hernia. Mesh was used the first time, but I had problems with it from day one. The second to remove the mesh and entrapped nerves and the third to complete a triple neurectomy and groin reconstruction again. I am happy I had the mesh removed.

    How long did it take to recover after taking the mesh out? They're going to cut me open to make sure they get all the mesh out.

    My biggest complaint now, aside from pain, is that I'm so out of shape. I used to be exrtremely active and hope to be able to get back to that way of living. Are you able to work out? 

    The actual surgical site healed up well and I was doing physio after 3-4 weeks. I do still have residual nerve pain on and off with some days good and others bad. I am in pretty good shape with low body fat and could work out now if I wanted. I prefer going for walks and low impact exercises it depends on what my pain levels are on a particular day.

    Is there anything that's changed that I might not be thinking of? Random stuff like numbness, lack of sex drive or appetite - anything really that they didn't tell you before you had the surgery?

    The nerve pain is the only thing that is bothering me. My doctor said this time next year I will feel a lot better. Nerve damage can take a long time to heal. I am functioing a lot better gradually day by day. Time and patience and I hope there will more days I am not noticing the nerve pain. I still think I am better off without the foreign mesh in my body.

    Don't be hard on yourself and concentrate on your recovery.

     

    • Meah
      Meah adele_89294

      Posted

      Hi Adele

      i am in need of a UK Doctor to remove my unbilical hernia Mesh. can you recommend one please!! im very desperate.

      Thanks in advance

  • mary58929
    mary58929 Esoteric

    Posted

    Hi, I'm in the same situation you were in and I need to have my mesh removed because I'm having alot of complications. Have you gotten your mesh removed or spoken to anyone that has? I want to prepare myself as much as possible for the surgery and anything afterwards.

    • Esoteric
      Esoteric mary58929

      Posted

      Hi Mary

      Sorry for the late response. I did have mine removed. Are you in the UK? I had the surgery at KIMS hospital in Maidstone. The surgeon was Mr Simon Bailey: https://www.mtw.nhs.uk/consultant/mr-simon-bailey/

      He's very open about options and no BS when it comes to most things. He'll give you an honest assessment and help.

      It was a life changer. It's been almost a year since the surgery and I'm pretty much a normal person. I need to get back into working out again though. I used to be super fit but after three years of not being able to work out it's been super hard to get enough energy. I'll get there though.

      Let me know if you have any questions.

    • tilda37540
      tilda37540 Esoteric

      Posted

      Hi Justin,

      I’m glad to hear that you are ”pretty much a normal person” after you had a mesh removal smile. I’m afraid I don’t feel like a normal person... I had my hernias repaired with mesh almost two years ago and it has been really bad from day one. I’m in Sweden and have to travel abroad to get them out. I’m searching for the best surgeon in Europe. They were put in laparoscopally and I have heard that is also the best way to have them removed. Are you still happy that you had a mesh removal? Do you still have some pain? Did you have an open or key-hole surgery? I’m getting desperate and it feels like my life is over... I would really apreciate to hear from you or from anyone else who had a mesh removal!

    • Esoteric
      Esoteric tilda37540

      Posted

      If you look at my comment above you'll see who I recommend. He's a great no nonsense doctor. It won't be key hole. You'll have a decent scar but it's worth it. I occasionally have a bit of pain in the scar area but nothing like how it was. Usually caused from being hunched over at a computer.

    • sheri07313
      sheri07313 mary58929

      Posted

      I had bilateral mesh placement with tacks 6 weeks ago.

      I’m an elite runner and triathlete.

      Soccer coach. Therapist.

      Pain everyday. Depressed. 

      Anti social 

      I’m demanding the mesh be taken out. Advice ?

    • chris62977
      chris62977 mary58929

      Posted

      Hello,

      I found Dr. H. Zahiri in Annapolis Maryland and he was amazing at removing the mesh. Come to find out he trained directly with Dr. Igor Belyansky who is the leading international physician expert on Robotic Mesh removal. As you can imagine I tried to make an appointment with Dr. Belyansky but his schedule was packed. His office said his partner was available; I was skeptical at first and now 1 year later I can truly say he was a miracle worker. Look up Dr. Igor Belyansky on YouTube. Dr. Zahiri trained under his and is just as skilled and more accessible. The only stickler is the office will not take on patients who have insurance they do not participate with and did not take cash pay patients for these surgeries as it is a huge price tag.

      His office is Surgical Specialists in Annapolis Maryland.

      Prayers to you all

    • Guest
      Guest chris62977

      Posted

      Awesome! Was it inguinal hernia mesh removal?

    • deb41933
      deb41933 chris62977

      Posted

      How big was your abdominal mesh? Did you have a TAR procedure? I have 1 square foot of mesh in my abdomen and i have had problems since day 1. I am seeing an expert surgeon at Hershey Med in Pennsylvania, Dr Pauli, who is willing to remove it but he said there's a lot of risks involved. I see him on Nov. 29th to discuss the risks. I have been in pain for 2 years. I don't know if I should have it removed. Does anyone think that i should go for it?

    • robyn29657
      robyn29657 chris62977

      Posted

      Oh my goodness! I am having my mesh taken out by Dr. Zahiri in three weeks! I would love to hear about your experience!! What a small world!

    • Meah
      Meah Esoteric

      Posted

      i tried to Email them but they told me about another Doctor. How did you come across DR Bailey and do you know anyone else that will do it?

      its urgent

      Thanks

    • mick86672
      mick86672 chris62977

      Posted

      Glad you found a surgeon to remove your mesh. I am experiencing major discomfort after undergoing laparoscopic surgery to repair a minor inguinal hernia. Mesh was used to correct this condition and I now have testicular pain eight weeks following the procedure. This has resulted in major restrictions to my normal activities. I would appreciate anyone who can recommend a specialist in the Philadelphia area that can address this issue. Thanks in advance.

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