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Umbilical hernia mesh removal doctor in London suggestions?

Posted , 18 users are following.

Esoteric
Esoteric

I've been living with pain for 2 years now after having umbilical hernia surgery from the mesh placed.

I've tried two different versions of Rectus sheet blocks for control the nerve pain. Both with little to no help.

I'm strongly considering having the mesh removed but I want to talk to a surgeon that specialises in just removing meshes. There is a lot of discussions about that in the forums here but I can't seem to find the names when I look through them.

Can someone suggest a London based surgeon that they have had the surgery with and how the surgery went after they had the mesh removed?

I just want to be a normal human being again. It's been really tough.

Thanks!

-Justin-

1 like, 44 replies

44 Replies

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  • richard2271
    richard2271 Esoteric

    Posted

    Hi

    There are only a couple of surgeons that remove meshes in the UK. The surgeon who removed mine is based in Germany but comes to the uk every 4 weeks to do a clinic and surgery . The only uk based surgeon I know of and I looked extensively is at the south east hernia clinic . I am yet not seeing the benefits st the moment but it has only been 10 weeks and I am told some people feel benefit straight away others longer. It has about 70-80% improvement rating . So there are a good percentage that feel the same or s little worse .

    • Esoteric
      Esoteric richard2271

      Posted

      Hey Richard

      First of all thanks for responding. I have a few extra questions for you if you don't mind.

      What are the names of the two surgeons you are referring to above?

      What kind of hernia did you have?

      What did they have to do to remove the mesh?

      How big was yours? Mine is 10cm x 15cm.

      How long did it take to heal?

      Thanks!

    • richard2271
      richard2271 Esoteric

      Posted

      The mesh was 11 by 6 cm

      Inguinal hernia

      Dr Mushaweck from Germany

      Peter Jones at the south east hernia clinic. Both have websites

    • Esoteric
      Esoteric richard2271

      Posted

      Thank you so much for this. Just two more questions then I'll stop bothering you!

      Did they have to cut open your whole stomach? How long did it take to heal.

      Cheers!

    • Esoteric
      Esoteric richard2271

      Posted

      How do you feel now Richard? Better after the removal? I saw the German doctor you recomended and she seemed a bit too pushy to me. Didn't want to spend £6k to have it done in Germany. Found someone else based off of your Peter Jones suggestion. Going to be having the removal surgery soon. Thanks for your help again. I really appreciate it.

    • jacqueline59096
      jacqueline59096 Esoteric

      Posted

      Hi Esoteric

      Did you have your removal 5 years ago? If so, can you tell me about it please? Who with, how it went and how are you now? Many thanks.

      I hope it went well and you are feeling much better. I've had my hernia mesh for 15 years and my health and pain is getting worse every year that goes by. I hope I'm not too late to have it removed.

    • Esoteric
      Esoteric jacqueline59096

      Posted

      Mr. Simon Bailey in Maidstone removed mine. Changed my life after it was removed. I've been pain free since then. Worth contacting him to see if he can help you. Good luck!

      -justin

    • Thisisterry
      Thisisterry richard2271

      Posted

      hey richard

      did you got the removal done by dr M? germany

      how you feel?

      merci

    • Thisisterry
      Thisisterry Esoteric

      Posted

      wow good to hear that

      its was inguinal polypro mesh?

      how you doing now?

      neurectomy?

      tks for help

    • Esoteric
      Esoteric Thisisterry

      Posted

      No, mine was an umbilical hernia mesh removed. I've been great afterwards. Had a great doctor help me.

  • RuinedByMesh
    RuinedByMesh Esoteric

    Posted

     I was going  to recommend Peter Jones from the South East England hernia clinic, but it seemss like he has retired now. Talked to a woman with great result, and he has a lot of experience with mesh removal. I know Ulrike Muschaweck has a lot of experience with mesh removal, shw work both in Munich and London. Most top football players in Europe travel to her for hernia surgery. The irish race walker Robert Heffernan got his inguinal mesh removed by her, and I think he is doing great. He competed in the last olympics. I have also read some bad stories about, Ulrike, so you should check up on her yourself. If you would consider travel to other countries in Europe, I can provide you with a lot of names of very experienced hernia mesh removal surgeons. Was your mesh placed with open or laparoscopic surgery?
    • RuinedByMesh
      RuinedByMesh

      Posted

      SORRY. Didnt see the replies.. I now see that you have got these two recommended already and have seen Ulrike. 
    • Esoteric
      Esoteric RuinedByMesh

      Posted

      Thanks for the info. I had it done laparoscopicly.

      I'm thinking of having Peter Jones' "apprentice" do the surgery. He'll be opening me up quit a bit to make sure and get all the mesh out.

      Have you had your mesh removed? What type was it and how did you heal?

    • RuinedByMesh
      RuinedByMesh Esoteric

      Posted

      I also had laparoscopic surgery,  but for inguinal hernia.  I have not had my mesh removed yet. Most surgeons I have talked to recommend to get the mesh removed laparoscopically, if the mesh has been inserted this way. But I know other world class surgeons who remove laparscopically placed mesh through open surgery, so I don't know what's the best solution. I have decided to go for laparoscopic removal myself. Do your research on this surgeon, find out how many meshes he has removed, ask about his results and complications. If it's any comfort, it's less risk to remove umbilcal mesh than inguinal mesh.I have  also read many  success stories about people who get their umbilical mesh removed. Wish you the best.

    • ellen04168
      ellen04168 RuinedByMesh

      Posted

      Hello, RuinedByMesh,

      You say that you know the names of many experienced hernia mesh removal surgeons in Europe.

      I am having serious problems with a hernia mesh after incisional hernia repair. (Dynamesh Cicat).

      Can you recommend a surgeon in Europe who would be able to remove this mesh? I am living in

      Germany. Dr. Muschaweck does not qualify for removal of this mesh.

      Thank you.

      ellen

      Ellen

       

    • lesley_96217
      lesley_96217 ellen04168

      Posted

      Hi Ellen

      Your the first person I've come across with Dynamesh. I had my Dynamesh IPOM hernia mesh (20x30cm)removed in Zurich by a Dr called Dr Bolko von Herstenbergk-Helldorff. He was working at Baermed but has left now. Have you found someone yet?  The surgeon who put mine in at Baermed/Hirslanden hospital denied it was the mesh causing my pain. He said it was me but Dr Bolko said it was the mesh and remit all in a 3rd operation. If you can find him, he was good. Said he might go back to Germany? Where did you have yours done?

    • lesley_96217
      lesley_96217 ellen04168

      Posted

      Hi Ellen

      I found where DR Gerstenberg Helldorff is now if you are still looking

      Moderator comment: I have removed the link(s) directing to site(s) unsuitable for inclusion in the forums. If users want this information please use the Private Message service to request the details.

    • ellen04168
      ellen04168 lesley_96217

      Posted

      Hi Lesley,

      I have found the doctor you mentioned in your e-mail 2 years ago.

      He works at a German hospital now. Can you tell me how you are feeling today after the removal and did he put in a new mesh?? All surgeons I have contacted so far have refused to take the mesh out as the chances of success would be very low. They all said it would be necessary to place a new mesh instead.

      In my opinion this would cause the same problems. How long had your

      Dynamesh Cicat mesh been in and what were your main problems?

      Sorry for the long time that has passed since your last e-mail. As my

      situation is worsening all the time it would be nice to hear more details

      from you.

      Thanks and I hope you are well now.

    • lesley_96217
      lesley_96217 ellen04168

      Posted

      I had the mesh removed and he used the stitch method to repair the hernia.

      It immediately got rid of the bad pains and tightness pains I had

      I still have issues though but I am in a much better place.

      I am occasionally in severe pain from partial bowel blockages which have been caused by restrictions due to excess scar and adhesions I have resulting from the 3 open surgeries. DRs here have said they never do more than 2 open surgeries because of this, but I didn't have a choice I felt, as I needed the mesh removed.

      I also get sharp nerve pain and numbness due to cutting of a nerve whilst removing the mesh. But Dr Bolko did inform me of all the possible outcomes of mesh removal. So I was aware I would never be the person i was before mesh.

      I have been warned by my gastroenterologist here, that I should expect more bowel blockage issues in the future too and highly likely another hernia.

      I have also been told that I cannot have any laparoscopy investigations done on my abdomen because the adhesions make it too risky.

      I eat more healthily now(veg) and take supplements to help my gut health.

      I am happy that the mesh is out and would never have it in me again.

      I hope this helps your decision.

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