How did I know that my hernia repair had failed?

Here are the answers to a few of my most common questions regarding my hernia repair and failures.
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[@MrDonniemaclennan]

Thats crazy money for hernia repair.I went privately in the U.k. and it was consultation fee of £92 and operation was £2680.I had an inguinal Hernia and a prolene mesh repair. I am a month in and all is good.Very little pain and getting better by the day.

[@thegregdavieschannel]

Thank you for sharing these videos about your inguinal hernia. I had lariscopic surgery done 15 months ago. The bulge disappeared shortly afterwards but most of the symptoms continued. I've since had two CT scans, an ultrasound and a lariscopic examination of the mesh repair and inguinal canal. They found a small lipoma which was removed however the original symptoms are still continuing. I'm really clutching at the straws as all the tests and exams are not showing any kind of problem.

[@stephen8484]

Hi Doc. I'd have preferred NO PAIN to very little pain after 4 months... I've read about so many patients that experience pain after some weeks when the doctors generally say "the procedure is very simple", "you go home the same day" or "you can drive the day after the surgery". They seem to ignore what patients say. I've also read 2 or 3 studies reporting pain/discomfort 5 years after the surgery in about 20% of the patients. 5 years after the surgery. Can you just imagine? 😮 Frightening.

[@00tich]

I had my robotic (single) hernia surgery on 5/1/24. My hernia caused me intermittent intense pain because the appendix had made its way into the hernia. Post surgery I had tolerable pain getting up and down from bed and chairs for about a week and only took one oxy the first night (which I probably could have done without). I couldn't sleep on my side without pain for two weeks which was the hardest part of the recovery. Had surgery on a Wednesday and was back at work the following Monday and was able to take a 2 mile walk that day. The hospital bill from UNC Rex was 23K negotiated down to 14K. I had to pay $5700 to meet my $8500 max out of pocket. The surgeons and anesthesiology bills were around 1500 each . I'm 26 days post surgery and have no pain at all, just feel a slight tugging where the repair is if I over do it. Im walking 4-6 miles per day with no issues. So far so good for me

[@im1who84u]

I live in the same area as you and I just had my surgery at WakeMed. I am on Medicare so I'll have to wait and see what I have to pay. If I can find this post again. I'll update this comment with cost when I find out what it is. What you paid is a lot of money for a retired man to pay. I'll just have to wait and see. Maybe I should tell them I identify as an _illegal alien_ and see if I can get free medical. 😛😛

[@Detect-Oregon]

I’m dealing with this now Dr. I’m 18 months post operative now right inguinal, and just now on the cusp of getting a general surgeon referral to do a laparoscopic exploration. 3 injections in the last year, with a 10-20% improvement at best. I can feel really good for 1-4 days, and then Bam, even just sitting immobile I will start to feel the “demon” as I call it turn on the heat, so to speak. It can be tremendously debilitating for weeks even months, all random active or not. I’m shut down to a recliner for 75% of my days. It’s been a road…. Your story is encouraging and thank you for sharing.

[@frugalfoot4973]

I really hope the best for you. 🙏

[@stevem68]

What kind of surgery did you have? Lap w mesh?

[@stevem68]

😢

[@Detect-Oregon]

open so with hernia mesh. Started out as golf ball size. But because of the delay with insurance approval and medical availability, didn’t have a surgery for 4 months after occurrence, by the time I had surgery it was the size of a softball.

[@stevem68]

@@Detect-Oregon I’m PNW too. Thinkn about the Desarda repair for my left IH. No mesh, tension free. Dr Tomas at U First Health in Ft Meyers m, FL has done thousands. He gets high reviews On vitals, Healthgrades & even the BBB in that area.

[@4Bobay]

Wishing you all the best in your health.

[@frugalfoot4973]

Thank you sir.👍

[@johnnystaley1213]

Wouldn't you been ahead..just to pay for the operation...not go trew your health insurance...i payed 5500...for indirect hernia surgery....no mesh....after watching all the problems with mesh...decided against it...

[@johnnystaley1213]

And now knowing insurance policy....2 clamps in 2 years..have to worry there going to raise your rates....

[@robertrodriguez8082]

Hey Doc thanks for the video. I’m four months post op seems like 4 years. Haven’t felt the same simce. Still feel burning sensation after doing certain things lifting bending down to pick stuff up off the floor after it get irritated take a couple of days to recover but I always feel something in my left groin maybe mine failed too. Im gonna see another general surgeon for a second opinion.

[@stevem68]

😢

[@HugoGarcia-mm2uy]

That’s what’s sickening about this crook sistem of insurance “ What happens when you never have to use it your self for so many years of paying for it and they took the money any way for free ??? That money should be yours not hers insurance pockets !!!

[@iandezzy319]

💔 P r o m o S M

[@SuperLittleTyke]

I am literally shocked to the core by the amount you had to pay for your inguinal hernia surgeries. Here in Britain all health care is free at the point of need. I have had both the left and the right inguinal hernia repaired since 2014. Mesh was used in both cases. Neither operation cost me a bean. One is never shown any bill, invoice, or anything. You have the op, either day case or overnight stay, and you are discharged. End of story. They just say bye bye and here's an information sheet to advise you how/when to take the meds they give you (which are also free if you're older than 60, as I was; I'm now 78). But the reason I watched your video was not the cost, but the recurrence of the hernia after repair. I have a strong suspicion that my most recent hernia repair 3 years ago on the right side has failed. For over a week I've been getting the typical burning sensation in the right lower quadrant in the area around the incision. However, the pain disappears when I lay flat on my bed or sit in a recliner. It takes about 10 minutes for the burning to subside. But if I then get up and walk around, do work in the house or garden, within 30 minutes the first sting of that burning is felt and it just gets worse and worse until I sit or lie down again. I don't feel any bulge that can be pushed back in. So what symptoms did you have to make you decide that your operation had failed?

[@frugalfoot4973]

There was no doubt it had failed. I felt the mesh give way, I felt the bulge return. Healthcare is never free. Even though the cost upfront looks good you have to remember that your taxes pay for it. You have a 20% VAT in Britain don't you? In the US we don't have a VAT.

[@SuperLittleTyke]

@@frugalfoot4973 Yes, we have VAT, but food, children's clothing and a few other items that are considered essentials are exempt. One only starts paying income tax on incomes above £12,570. As I am a pensioner I also don't have to pay National Insurance, which is what partially funds the National Health System. As I believe I mentioned before, anyone over the age of 60 gets all medicines, even very expensive non-generics, free. The cost of the NHS in 2023 was £169bn. The one thing that is p*ss poor in England is public dentistry. There is practically none available. More and more patients are going to private dentists who, of course, cost a fortune.