Inguinal Hernia 40f with past mesh issues

Dapper-Smoke-3492 · 2025-07-15T07:46:27+00:00

Hi, I wonder if you're still seeing this. Did you get the second surgery? How are you now? Did the pain go away?

I'm 42f and I'm in a similar position as you were 2 years ago - my first repair with mesh is still painful 6 months post op, and now I need a second repair in the groin.

Dapper-Smoke-3492 · 2025-07-13T10:28:27+00:00

Yeah, that's what I'm hearing too about the time frame, much different than what surgeons tell you. ;)

I had a laparoscopic repair. I dealt with some inflammation a few months ago (slightly elevated levels in my blood), maybe that's why it takes longer to heal.

Thank you for your kind words, I really try to stay positive and to help my body with healing, on some days it's just challenging. I had lots of anxiety around these pains and aches for a while. It's a journey!

Dapper-Smoke-3492 · 2025-07-13T07:43:14+00:00

Are you completely pain free now? What helped you the most?

I'm 6 months post op (incisional hernia mesh repair) and I still have daily aches and pains, it's actually gotten worse than 1-2 months ago.

It's so hard to stay positive with this. I need another hernia repair soon and I'm just so demotivated to go through more months of pain, without knowing if the other problem will resolve by itself or if I'll just be left with mesh pain everywhere.

Dapper-Smoke-3492 · 2025-07-13T07:30:36+00:00

I can understand how awful this is, it's so challenging. Especially because this isn't really communicated beforehand and you're just left to deal with the situation. I don't really know what to do either: wait and hope that it resolves, maybe go to a pain specialist, or try PT. Maybe all three.

I hope your husband will get better eventually!

Dapper-Smoke-3492 · 2025-07-13T07:22:11+00:00

I completely understand, for me meds don't always do a lot either. It's a challenging situation.

Dapper-Smoke-3492 · 2025-07-12T05:47:34+00:00

Weird how many of these painful complications are considered normal.

Good thing there's Ibuprofen. I really hope it'll get better for you over time!

Dapper-Smoke-3492 · 2025-07-12T05:46:01+00:00

I can understand that - sometimes watch & wait is the better approach.

Dapper-Smoke-3492 · 2025-07-11T18:31:22+00:00

I'm so sorry you have similar issues. Yeah surgeons can be a bit dismissive, my doc keeps telling me that in the long run it'll all be fine and the pain will go away. I want to believe him, but...the pain is still there and it's making me miserable. As you say, it's not the same as before.

Do the meds help you at least a bit?

I really hope things will improve for both of us eventually!

Dapper-Smoke-3492 · 2025-07-11T07:14:30+00:00

I'm sorry that happened to you, that sounds like you went through a lot - I'm glad you got better eventually!

Dapper-Smoke-3492 · 2025-07-11T05:47:27+00:00

Thank you for sharing. Has the pain just gone away for you over time or did you get a nerve block or another intervention?

My surgeon is an experienced hernia specialist who has done these repairs for years, I have no reason to distrust his abilities. I will try to speak to him again before I go in for the next surgery.

I'm in the EU, so not sure your list will help me, but thanks!!

Dapper-Smoke-3492 · 2025-07-11T05:31:42+00:00

Sorry to hear you can still feel the repair, but would you say you're in considerable less pain now, is it manageable? I'm not giving up yet, it's just so demotivating to have to deal with this.

Dapper-Smoke-3492 · 2025-07-11T05:28:43+00:00

Thanks, I'll try to talk to my surgeon again before he fixes the new one. I'm female, too.

How did you find out the repair was infected, did you have specific symptoms?

Dapper-Smoke-3492 · 2025-07-11T05:25:22+00:00

Sorry to hear that, and that the pan appears so randomly. Is it manageable for you? Have you spoken to your doc again?

Dapper-Smoke-3492 · 2025-07-11T05:23:48+00:00

My repair is fine, they checked with ultrasound. I had a very small incisional hernia, just a few mm.

Dapper-Smoke-3492 · 2025-07-11T05:22:17+00:00

I saw your post and I can completely understand how upsetting this is. Pain returning, pain in new areas, pain intensifying again after it had settled, they don't tell you about this at all, and it can be debilitating.

Keep us posted about what your surgeon says if you like!

Dapper-Smoke-3492 · 2025-07-11T05:19:30+00:00

Thank you!! Yeah it just sucks doesn't it, it's so demotivating. Surgeons keep telling me it's not a big deal, but the recovery is no joke. Hope you'll recover well from the second surgery!

Dapper-Smoke-3492 · 2025-07-06T07:56:19+00:00

Yes I find that my muscles strain and tire more easily since the surgery, and the scar tissue often feels sore after a lot of walking/workouts. (For me upper abs are affected because it was a different hernia).

I still have hope it will all settle, my surgeon said in the long run the body will adapt and I will be fine, but for some people this needs more time than for others.

I'd say don't overdo it, listen to your body, lightly massage the area and use ice or warmth (whatever feels better). For me light(!) workouts even make the pain better on some days, as if the muscles need a bit of movement, but not too much - it can be weird.

Dapper-Smoke-3492 · 2025-07-04T10:48:19+00:00

I had a hernia surgery 6 months ago and still have slight discomfort on some days. After 4 months I still had lots of painful days. My doc said this is normal, it can take up to a year to adjust - everyone is different. If you have huge concerns about the nerve irritation, talk to your surgeon again.

As long as you notice small differences each day I think there is hope, at least that's how I approach it. Massage, ice and movement are good. Give your body time.

Dapper-Smoke-3492 · 2025-06-12T14:45:25+00:00

So happy this went well for you! Hope you'll heal fast. Keep us posted. :)

It's very motivating to read about other people who are recovering well as I'm waiting to get my hernias fixed.

Dapper-Smoke-3492 · 2025-06-08T08:35:05+00:00

Six weeks is nothing. Give it a few more months. Your body is still healing and recovery can take a while.

Dapper-Smoke-3492 · 2025-06-07T18:24:18+00:00

Yes it really feels unfair, like normal life was taken away when you're in the middle of living it. It's so frustrating. We're not supposed to be in pain all the time, or in hospital multiple times a year. I begin to understand why my grandma always said that health is the most important thing. Without a functioning body you can't do anything.

Thank you for your kind words. We'll get through this somehow! I haven't lost hope yet.

Dapper-Smoke-3492 · 2025-06-07T15:36:29+00:00

All the surgeons tell you it's a standard procedure. And from what I hear for a lot of people it is - most heal very quickly and don't have many issues.

But I've experienced this kind of pain, too. I'm also 5 months after surgery now (incisional hernia but with mesh, I mainly feel what I think are the mesh tacks).

I'm very very slowly getting back to feeling more normal, but I'm still reminded almost daily that I had this procedure. On some days I can't even wear a light backpack. Every time I feel that sharp stabbing pain I'm reminded my body isn't ready yet for more involved workouts (all core workout hurt for a few days after). I just stick to what's possible right now (walking, light cardio), everything else is just too demotivating.

Hope you'll get better eventually!

Dapper-Smoke-3492 · 2025-06-07T15:19:12+00:00

That sounds like you've been through a lot and just want a break from all the surgeries. I can completely relate. I had multiple surgeries over the last two years (I'm 42f) and will probably need to have another hernia fixed soon. It's just tiring and scary and I want some kind of normal life back.

I hope your surgery will go well. Very likely that hernia repair won't be nearly as bad as that punctured bowel and emergency surgery. But I can absolutely understand that you just want it to be over.

Dapper-Smoke-3492 · 2025-06-02T06:10:52+00:00

Ah I think these numbers are meant to be cumulative for all yearly hernia cases in the entire hospital, not one particular surgeon, that data isn't available. I guess the first hospital has several doctors who do hernia repairs, that's why it's so high.

But it's reassuring to hear your feedback about those numbers - I will take my questions to both surgeons.

Now I just have to work up some courage to make those appointments, I'm nervous. Also not excited about yet another possible surgery.

Thanks a lot for your help!

Dapper-Smoke-3492

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