Inguinal open hernia mesh repair

Posted , 8 users are following.

hi everyone

this is my first post out of sheer desperation.  Three since I had my open left inguinal hernia repaired. Nothing but pain since and loss of feeling at he base of my penis and left groin area. 

Is this going to last. I also have a long solid mass under the scar running the length of the scar. 

Anyone had a similar experience. Nothing from the surgeon or doctors in terms of advice has been forthcoming. Any help or advice would be welcomed 

0 likes, 19 replies

19 Replies

  • Posted

    Hi. Did you mean three weeks/months or years? Sounds like the surgeon has nicked a nerve and I'm not sure what they can do to fix that. My similar repair gave me some pain for 3 months but not too bad. I still have a loss of sensation in the area near the scar but above the penis. My surgeon said that might or might not go away (I think it's there to stay but not bad). My scar has now almost disappeared 1 year later but was irritated for a few months. The surgeons are a bit cavalier with hernia mesh repairs and don't warn you of the risks.

    • Posted

      Sorry, yes three weeks. I get what you’ve said about the surgeon. He was full of it when I spoke with him but gave little away. 

      Thankyou for your response, at least I know there is a little hope

  • Posted

    If It’s 3 weeks its early days yet.
    • Posted

      Yes sorry it is three weeks. Thank you.  I’ve read a few posts that say the same thing it can take a while. Frustrating tHing is you can’t do nothing for so long after the op.  
  • Posted

    Hello Steve

    Am favour, had an right inguinal hernia surgery about 6weeks ago, am a female though , i did feel pains after the first two weeks because i started lifting heavy objects ,i got piercing pains and of cos for the first 1month i could barely feel any part of my reproductive area down there.

    I get occassional pains but they are really minor and i cant bend for too long else my waist aches alot, but its gotten better.

    The mesh makes the scar swollen, initially i was really scared cos it refused to go down but now its gradually flattening out and the scar becoming less visble, i noticed when ever i work too much or stess too much the scar area swells up and vice versa..

    • Posted

      Thank you for you reply. They don’t actually tell you very much before the procedure. My surgeon said it will hurt and will swell. Nothing constructive at all. 

      Readin* some other posts it seems this is very much a waiting game.  The pain is manageable with pain killers. I will give it another few weeks to see how things progress. Once agin thank you 

    • Posted

      Good to read your post I had a Spigelian Hernia repair almost three weeks ago.  I was given no information before the op other than it needed urgent repair - I had the op six and a half months later!!The surgeon didn't discuss the op with me and it was only on the discharge info that it read - Laparoscopic TEP repair left Spigelian hernia.  I was told not to lift anything for six to eight weeks. Driving was a matter of discretion if you felt able to do an emergency stop and maneuver your body when parking etc.  I had the stitches out eleven days later,(four incisions with four stitches in my belly button.) The last week I have been getting severe piercing pains which stop me in my tracks.  My stomach is still quite swollen  so it was good to know that it should go down in time.  The last couple of days I have been so tired.

       

    • Posted

      It will get better Patricia, stick to the no lifting rule it really works. I got some piercing pains that comes and go, they usually stop me in my tracks but its better now. Even after the six weeks continue being careful, i thought to give myself a test run by dancing vigorously but it didnt turn out well, it seemed i resurrected the aches so just be careful, think less about the swelling it helps.
    • Posted

      Thank you so much for taking the time and trouble to get back to me really appreciated. Those sheer stabbing pains really scared me but things are getting better,  Still feel very tender but able to do more and walking plenty.  I do find that I am more tired than usual but that is probably part of the course. .  Taking head of the NO lifting warning.  I just wish they would tell you more. I was only told about the no lifting and it would be very painful after the op,

       I hope you are doing good.and well on the way to recovery

      thanks again

      Patricia

  • Posted

    Good luck Steve and let us know how you get on in a few weeks. It’s been a year now since I had mine done and it did take a while to calm down. I had the scar issue, hard ridge that dug into me for a while. It’s almost flat now but does give me a little jib sometimes if I sit wrong or am tired perhaps but it’s at the level now where its far better than having a hernia nagging at me and I am glad that I had the op. Fingers crossed for you.
  • Posted

    Hi Steve 

    It’s really helped me reading this this morning. I had a right inguinal hernia repair 8 days ago. I was in absolute agony 1 day after the op and wondered what the heck have I done!! 

    This week I’m still taking pain relief but not as much. Tried to go for a walk but it’s way too painful. They don’t tell you anything of what to expect at the hospital!!  I’ve been signed off Work for 4 weeks as I’m a Veterinary nurse and it involves lifting etc. 

    Keep posting on your progress as it’s certainly helped me reading peoples posts this morning! 

    Thanks 

    Aileen.

    • Posted

      Hi Aileen

      one week after the op, I still hadn’t been to the toilet. All though extremely worried the doctors said it was ok. After two weeks the pain still hadn’t gone away but the tenderness in my groin had started to ease and the swelling started to subside. 

      Three weeks in and I noticed a long hard lump under the wound. I read on line that this is normal and it is scar tissue. From other replies I have had, this softens after about a year. The surgeon said that the mesh will not be at full strength for three months. I am now driving agin but with some discomfort. Every day does seem to be a move in the right direction. 

      Like younthe hospital told me nothing and even the 111 NHS line just advised I keep pushing my own GP. It looks very much like a waiting game to see how it all pans out

      keep your chin up, I’m sure it get easier 

    • Posted

      Hope you are feeling better leeny, though i had my surgery and Nigeria the doctors are pretty much the same they give less info and only just hammer on the no lifting rule.

      Just chill things will improve, even the pain will go away with time , the swollen scar i had that feels hard has almost flatened out , it reduces slowly, dont aggravate it by dancing or exercises, cos i noticed it just swells up a little when disturbed and goes back when it feels rested.

    • Posted

      Hi Steve thanks for your reply.  2 1/2 weeks in and getting up much better. However went for a meal last night and was in so much pain after. Seems sitting upright makes things worse! I too have a hard ridge on one side of my wound so that’s reassuring to read you have it too. 

      When did you start driving. I’m really scared to try and don’t know when I should try?!

      On a positive note I’m better than 2 weeks ago!

      Thanks 

      Aileen.

    • Posted

      Hi Favour thanks for your reply. 

      How long did it take for you to get better? Did you also have a numb bit under the scar? I have pain at the top of my leg which I had before the op. Hoped it was the hernia and not related to my original mesh for another op. Still keeping my fingers crossed!

      Looking forward to walking my dog properly!

      Thanks 

      Aileen.

    • Posted

      I started driving 2 and 1/2 weeks after op. It was a bit sore but I tried an emergency stop before I left home. After Five weeks I managed to walk the dogs on my own. I am still getting sharp nerve pain firing off but have been referred back to the surgeon to discuss. They don’t really give away much before the surgery in terms of information. I have many questions to ask. 

      I hope your recovery is smoother than mine 

    • Posted

      Hello leeny

      Yes i did feel numb beneath the scar and around it for about 3 weeks but now am better. So roughly 2months you should feel better and comfortable in your own skin like i am now, i saw my doctors yesterday i was okay and my next check up is about 8months time.

      One thing that got me down is that i kept looking at the scar like at least 10times a day , always monitoring, dont do that, take your mind of it, i just left all to God in prayers.

      It is well trust God..

    • Posted

      Thanks for your reply.  I’ve been to my Gp this morning as I’m still in pain. He said it’s still very swollen and that’s why I’m still in pain. I’m due to start work Wednesday with an 8 hour shifts. He said too much to start with and I will end up being off again. So got  to speak to Work. 

      Let me know how you get on with your surgeon. 

      Thanks 

      Aileen

    • Posted

      Thank you favour. Just be glad when I’m pain free!

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