98. HerniaTalk LIVE Q&A: Watchful Waiting for Hernias

Welcome to HerniaTalk LIVE, a Q&A hosted by Dr. Shirin Towfigh, hernia and laparoscopic surgery specialist who practices at the Beverly Hills Hernia Center. This is the only Q&A of its kind, aimed at educating and empowering patients about all things related to hernias and hernia-related complications. For a personal consultation with Dr. Towfigh: [phone], [e-mail].
This week, the topic of discussion was:
- Watchful Waiting
- Inguinal Hernia
- Umbilical Hernia
- Loss of Domain
- Hernia Recurrence
- Open Repair
- Laparoscopic Repair
- Hernia Recurrence
- Hernia Outcomes
- ACHQC
- VA trial
- Clinical Trials
- Hernia Occurrence
- Incarceration
- Strangulation
- Elderly Patients
- Lichtenstein
- Components Separation
Topic: Watchful Waiting for Hernias
Guest Panelist: Dr. Robert Fitzgibbons, hernia surgery specialist, Creighton University, Omaha, Nebraska.
If you find this content informative, please LIKE, SHARE, and SUBSCRIBE to the HerniaTalk Live channel and visit us on www.HerniaTalk.com.

[@herbladie]

I’m binge watching everything I can, just incase. Thanks for teaching me all of the ins and outs. I’m not quite as worried now. I will ask their specialty and not insist on an open when they specialize in laparoscopy, and vice versa😊

[@herniadoc]

You are so welcome!

[@jddomenick]

Great topic, guest, and info. Thanks, Dr. Towfigh!

[@herniadoc]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@stumpynubs5387]

Does exercising increase the risk of incarceration and strangulation of an inguinal hernia?

[@herniadoc]

Not at all. It’s actually protective.

[@alanzemsky7695]

Does swimming laps increase risk of incarceration or strangulation?

[@herniadoc]

@@alanzemsky7695not at all

[@dantheman1508]

How did I get here?

[@Kakapo-Tui]

Also in another video said likelihood of chronic pain is reduced where there is less pain pre-surgery?

[@herniadoc]

The reverse has been found in studies

[@waliddib5291]

I’m 27 with (golf ball size) inguinal hernia and 23 BMI. What do you think of the idea of me going for open non-mesh to eliminate mesh complication risk in favor for a tiny bit of higher re-occurance rate ? (And to also reduce risk of nerve damage) (shouldice with a shouldice trained doctor)

[@herniadoc]

I do not know the specifics of your situation. This is a good topic to discuss with your personal surgeon who would be the one providing you with their advice.

[@waliddib5291]

@@herniadoc thank you. What are your thoughts on the odds of nerve entrapment which causes testicular pain in males after inguinal hernia repair?

[@alanzemsky7695]

Do open surgeries tend to leave a big scar after the procedure?

[@herniadoc]

Depends on the patient’s surgical need and size of hernia

[@rk5941]

What is elderly age

[@Kakapo-Tui]

Can female ingruinal hernia's be checked for femoral hernias using MRI? and if MRI can rule out femoral hernias, then can watchful waiting be applied to females with ingruinal hernais especially where they are found incidentially?

[@herniadoc]

Sure

[@herbladie]

I have a groin hernia, but not sure if it’s an inguinal or femoral. Once in awhile I’ll have a stitch, but not real pain, and it’s puffy and enlarging over the last 8 years. What to do?!

[@herniadoc]

See a hernia specialist 😊

[@herbladie]

Absolutely my next step! Thanks to you I’ll know what I’m talking about! Thanks again.

[@rk5941]

I read where some people get prostrate fixed and hernia at the same time. Can that be done?

[@herniadoc]

Typically, yes! Watch my Episode with Dr Josephson

[@torqueofthedevil8145]

Watch your guts end up in your balls using this stratedgy