127. HerniaTalk LIVE Q&A: Mesh Implant Illness

[@KL9702.]

I was feeling better 6 weeks after my umbilical hernia surgery, I could finally sneeze and cough, started doing cardio (walking). Then, on week 7, I sneezed at work and I got a stabbing pain in my left side above the belly button. It stopped me and my tracks. Ever since, I've been extremely sensitive again to sneezing ( plug my nose- it is WAY too painful) or even coughing, I keep having stabbing pains in my left side, I almost thought that my rib was bruised for a minute, because it radiated to my rib. I am now back to week 3 (pain wise). I keep feeling tingling and stabbing pains. Sometimes it feels like tiny knives are stabbing me all over (in my left side). I feel worse than i did before the surgery.

[@Cisco910]

Hi Dr I recently had an umbilical hernia surgery in November, although I'm not feeling strong pain I am however feeling much discomfort. I'm now experiencing numbness on the left side of my stomach where the incision was made, also I have a red ring like imprint around my belly button and I'm basically scratching my stomach all the time. Also my bellybutton is constantly warm fever like to the touch. When I called my surgeon she basically wanted to know if I was vomiting, had fever, leaking and experiencing nausea, I told her no and she just said it's part of the healing process of what I'm going through. Something just doesn't feel right.

[@herniadoc]

You need imaging to rule out fluid collection. Other possible causes can be infection or mesh allergy.

[@50kevind]

Do you regret having the surgery. I have my pre op tomorrow and surgery scheduled for April 3rd for same procedure. I’m thinking of cancelling because of the possible mesh reaction. I’ve got enough other health issues to worry about without adding any other problems to my life

[@Cisco910]

@@50kevind symptoms did eventually subside and hernia was confirmed to be repaired by second party doctor. Been feeling better and reaction was not due to the mesh. All good so far.

[@50kevind]

@@Cisco910 good to hear you’re finally doing better

[@Clownstalkers]

​@@50kevindme too mines 5july I scared now

[@BalitangGlobal]

hard to say vast majority when years and years later, even up to a decade until the complications or chronic pains occur.

[@herniadoc]

Even so, vast majority without chronic pain.

[@andrewcameron6611]

I have ASIA syndrome. I been impotent since 2008. I felt horrible all this years.Getting my inguinal hernia mesh removed next month in Germany ( Biohernia )

[@nahidarezo4156]

Hello I want to know , haw are you now? Did you have your mesh removed ? I did my inguinal hernia op before 3 weeks still have pain 😔

[@enockabumba7513]

Sorry to hear that

[@azizmullah9621]

​@@nahidarezo41563 weeks is understandable

[@kevindonahue7355]

I had hernia surgery 2 years ago suffering in a lot of pain everyday I have hydrocele to

[@herniadoc]

See a specialist

[@kristinejackson8268]

I know one thing hernia surgery is painful . My boyfriend just had surgery he was on the table for 5 and a half hours and he has been in bed for 3 days now. He will not take pain pills. He uses heat and ice.

[@herniadoc]

ice is better than heat

[@kerryberry4201]

is this illness on the Compassionate Allowance List that helps to expedite SSDI disability cases?

[@herniadoc]

No, unfortunately

[@pntdblack]

I'm thinking of having umbilical surgery what should I look out for in my Dr consultation? Does everyone who has mesh used have pain and rejection symptoms? Hearing all this information and stories is making me feel uneasy about this whole surgery thing!!

[@JeannetteBontes]

I had a hernia repair 3 years ago but now I have lot of saroma and lot of pain so what is the problem from south Africa thanks

[@herniadoc]

Get evaluated for recurrent hernia

[@bluewave7120]

Do you use the shouldice method after mesh removal?

[@herniadoc]

In some patients yes

[@24ncole]

@@herniadocI had an umbilical hernia repaired with mesh a couple months ago and seem to be having some bad autoimmune reactions to it. I’m a highly allergic person. If I have the mesh removed, what method of repair would you suggest?

[@herniadoc]

@@24ncoledepends on the size and character of the hernia and your lifestyle. Please reach out to my office for a consultation

[@drewdrilak5853]

Have you ever had anyone with mesh implant illness experience cold feet and hands/abnormal sensations Neuropathy like symptoms? Besides the urinary urgency now these symptoms in the hands and feet are starting. I was healthy until about 8 months after surgery and seems like my health went down hill after that mesh was placed.

[@herniadoc]

Possible. Yes.

[@drewdrilak5853]

I’m seeing a neurologist here soon. Going to see if they will order me a mri of spine and brain. Something is not right. I did an online consultation with you in the past. I may fly out to see you depending on the results to talk about possibly removing this mesh.

[@herniadoc]

Happy to help

[@santelder]

Thank you Dr for looking into Mesh Implant illness .I had small Bowel cancer in autumn 2020. The surgeon took half my bowel away .Afterwards I had an insertion Hernia where he had operated .He repaired the Hernia using Mesh , .I have a lot of immune things like Asthma ,Arthritis ,Excema Etc ..Then a Seroma started .I used a corset to bind .He drained it 4 times over t years it comes straight back .This means i dont have good quality of life .I cant eat except only half a meal or half a sandwich etc .I cant walk far without getting breathless . Weight of the seroma is huge .they took out 2/12 litres last time with a syringe . I have a huge seroma like im pregnant , another Hernia underneath with pressure of the weight .I am in England U.K.

[@herniadoc]

Sounds like you need more definitive treatment of your seroma. Aspiration alone is not adequate. This is not a symptom of Mesh Implant Illness.

[@santelder]

Thank you he said he doesnt want to keep draining it because puncture of the bowel .noone has spoken about any other treatment .@@herniadoc

[@Lucalyka]

My father has a huge hernia mid thigh. It got bigger during the pandemic and he didnt want to go to the doctor up to now coz of covid. He's 80yrs old and have diabetes type 2. Hes afraid of complications coz of this but its getting harder for him to pass stool.

[@herniadoc]

@@Lucalykahe needs a hernia specialist

[@minassieberhe1089]

I appreciate you can I contact you to get advice?

[@drewdrilak5853]

Dr towfigh if some one was diagnosed with pots dysfunction after a mesh was placed. Have you ever seen this issue resolve after a mesh was removed?

[@herniadoc]

There is currently no strong evidence to show that mesh implant causes POTS, but we do know that patients with POTS may be at slightly higher risk than others to have mesh reactions. I have not seen any patient resolve their POTS after mesh removal.

[@SheenSkaiz]

Why is nobody discussing the use of tissue regeneration device "Proflor" fixation free, total obliteration of the hernia, 6 time reductions in pain killers, Healthy tissue ingrowth, not just a fibrotic scar from flat mesh implant. It's so difficult to get this device for some reason. (For inguinal hernias)

[@herniadoc]

Because it has not been shown to be superior to anything else in the market. Plus, the company that made it went bankrupt and thus it is not readily available in the US.

[@SheenSkaiz]

@herniadoc Thanks for the reply Dr Towfigh, what's your thoughts on Lichenstein open repair with Progrip mesh. Good repair?

[@herniadoc]

It’s a good repair

[@maikabaseka7608]

I had mesh implant in my umbilical and during my mp, the pain is constant, try to see family doctor and surgeon for CT scan, no results were given to me Though I did call for help no respond. What can I do now 😢?

[@herniadoc]

Ask the radiology department to give you your results. Make a followup appointment with your doctor.

[@susanheffernan3169]

Hi did you ever resolve your pain. As i had umbilical hernia repair in 2018 and ive bewn unwell since. Constant pulling pain and my bowels movements are up then down but the pain is relentless and its majing ny life unbearable. I need them to rwmive ut soon. I live in Australia and the operation to remove the mesh is $15000 which i di not yave. Surgeons dont want to own their mistakes but this is ny life. Ive aleady lost 6 years.😢😢

[@pablogarcia4902]

Why nerve blocks don't work then why do it

[@herniadoc]

They do work. For nerve problems. Also can be diagnostic

[@randybell9810]

Had mesh implant 17 years ago and now feeling pain randomly..

[@herniadoc]

See your surgeon in case you have a recurrence.

[@randybell9810]

@@herniadoc two weeks have passed and now I have very little to no pain.. still concerned though

[@randybell9810]

@@herniadoc there's no visible lump. Could reoccurrence happen under the mesh without a lump? Maybe it's some sort of internal hernia?

[@vinaykumarsaini6256]

Gas pain at hernia surgery incision area need to worrying

[@corinnegaleria4387]

Hives hives hives! All day every day =( That's what im dealing with still, 2 yrs after hernia repair. I know it could be worse I'm very lucky I'm not dealing with pain, etc. however does anybody have any tips for relief or recommendations for dealing with these hives besides getting the mesh removed which I doubt is an option.... Would love any help or encouragement!! Thank you!! I'm already on a very anti-inflammatory diet I've been carnivore for 3 years.. what these hives are driving me crazy, lol

[@herniadoc]

Usually if it’s the mesh, you need removal. See if a surgeon is willing to inject the mesh with steroids. There is a risk of mesh infection.

[@corinnegaleria4387]

@@herniadoc thank you so much for responding!

[@KazInMich]

Where are your hives? I keep getting rashes on my arms daily that disappear every day as well, only since my surgery

[@garyhenderson978]

Hi i have inguinal hernia it feels close to my penis, i can suffer from pain when ejaculating and concerned about putting mesh in that area, i think hernia is femoral as just local doctor who diagnosed not specialist , would shouldice be best option .

[@herniadoc]

Sounds like you need to see a specialist. You can contact my office directly for consultation. [e-mail]

[@bluewave7120]

Can mesh cause tingling and numbness in the thigh?

[@herniadoc]

Can’t answer that question. I would have to get more questions answered and examine you

[@AnnaBanana-rq9vh]

Sciatica can

[@alonsocalderon117]

yes, I have that

[@gottmituns1938]

Which permanent suture material is least likely to cause hypersensitivity reactions in small, umbilical hernia repairs? Thank you for taking the time to make these educational videos, Dr. Towfigh.

[@herniadoc]

Everyone is different. So far in our testing, Nylon and Goretex has had the least reaction potential. But we just don’t know for sure. I haven’t tested polybutester.

[@usvadi]

Steel Sutras. Used by Shouldice Canada 🇨🇦

[@AlejandraGomez-br9hs]

I had a hernia repaired a few years which I never concented to be repaired, I didn't even know I had a hernia, it was repaired during a tummy tuck. Now dealing with horrible symptoms all over my body but all my labs and scans are normal. No heart disease, immune disease, neurological disease, or cancer. It can't be possible that I feel like I'm dying and it is nothing! I don't know how the hernia was repaired. Now I'm thinking I have mesh, and I can guarantee it's on my right side next to my belly button because it burns like hell, endoscopy and colonoscopy were normal. How can I know if I have mesh?? I've had a couple abdominal CT scans, can it be seen there. My doctor suggested no more radiation because of the number of scans that I've had done already.

[@herniadoc]

Highly unlikely that a mesh was used for your umbilical hernia during a tummy tuck. A tummy tuck has to repair umbilical hernias as part of the procedure. You can’t not consent to that portion. It’s implied as part of the operation.

[@AlejandraGomez-br9hs]

I just got a call from the surgeon that performed my surgery and they confirmed that they did use mesh. Specifically MARLEX. But then I had another tummy tuck after that. I'm afraid it has embeded to the point where is not able to be removed or that it smeared or ripped during the second tummy tuck. Please advise.

[@herniadoc]

@@AlejandraGomez-br9hs please contact my office to set up an Online Consultation. I need complete information if you’d like personalized advice. [e-mail]

[@TheNewYorker360]

Thank you for creating the HerniaTalk website and forum. So, around 2008 you started seeing an increasing trend of strong reaction against mesh. Testing for an allergic reaction to mesh would seem the way to go. But the testing is inconsistent, flawed, and "highly unpredictable." Huh. Oh, great.