Female Inguinal Hernia Repair with mesh

Digestive health
1

Hi there, I thought I would post some information regarding my right inguinal hernia repair with mesh whcih was done on 21/10/2015 as there does not seem much information on the internet regarding females with inguinal hernias.

I did no way think it would be so painful recovering from my hernia repair. I suffered a cecal volvulus (twisted bowel) on 7/9/2015 and required an emergency laparotomy/hemicolectomy as it was a life threatening situation. I was cut from my bikini line to just under my breast bone. It was a major surgery. I was very lucky it was caught on time and it has been a very traumatic time.

My hernia repair which was done only six weeks after my other surgery has been much more painful recovering from, even though surgeons say it's a relatively simple operation. There is no way I was expecting this after what I had already been through.

When I arrived home from hospital after my first surgery I subsequently noticed a prominent bulge in my right groin which was diagnosed as a large inguinal hernia containing small bowel loops. All I needed after such a major scare and major operation with the laparotomy/hemicolectomy.

Anway, the operation for my right inguinal hernia repair was an open procedure. The operation went smoothly and initial pain in waking in recovery and the next couple of days was not bad at all.  From then on OUCH. Getting in or out of bed or out of the recliner chair the burning, stabbing and sharp pains as described by many men after inguinal hernia repair were the same. This lasted several days.

My illioinguinal nerve was also cut so I have had major nerve pain in my mons pubis area till this day. Fortunately today which is nearing day 35 post op I think I might be seeing just the slightest light at the end of the tunnel in relation to nerve pain. I was prescribed  pain killers and Lyrica for the nerve pain, but gave up on them after becoming very sick and nauseous as they did not agree with me.

So hopefully I will be lucky and this nerve pain will subside in time as I have practically been bedridden on many days because of this. I was told it can take years or never go away, but I have my fingers crossed I am not going to be one of those statistics.

I will keep you informed of my progress.

2

Very sorry to read of your problems. My mesh repair was nothing like yours - mine was a large incisional hernia from my breast bone to just under my navel. That was a year ago now. The original surgery two years ago was emergency open extended right hemicolectomy. Just hoping that things should settle down soon and I'm sure you are being looked after by the hospital and hope you have support at home too. I had to have daily visits from a district and they were fantastic. 

Best wishes. 

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Hello John, sorry to hear about your surgeries, but happy to hear you are having no issues. There is not much back up here regarding the hospital or district nurse, but there's always the GP. My surgeon who did my hemicolectomy was the same surgeon who did my hernia, so I have to have faith in him. I am confident I will improve and staying positive, besides my recent health issues I relatively fit, healthy and in shape so that should help. Will keep posted on my recovery. Thanks for your reply.

 

4

Just an update. I had open inguinal hernia repair with mesh back in October 2015. I was sufferning from terrible nerve pain and was prescribed Lyrica (Pregabalin) for pain relief. I can finally say I am having good results with this drug and am nearly pain free most of the time. Still getting aches and pains after standing all day, but nothing like I was. The mesh seems to be settling in and my scar is very neat and tidy. I really hope this great progress  keeps up.

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Hi Adele. Good to read that you are happy with your progress. I'm ok still, but Dr said to lose 2 or 3 kg in 3 months. No problem I said. That was in October and I found that Nov/Dec is not the best time to do that. I see him in 10 days, so you can guess what the New Year resolution was! Maybe 1kg will show him I tried? All the best for continued health. 

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Thank you. I'm sure you will lose the weight, but Christmas period not the best time to do it as too much yummy food. I hope all goes well with your Doctor. Let me know how you go. 

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I have been searching for advice. Eight months ago I went to the GP for a lump which I noticed and have been told it is an inguinal hernia. I was referred to a hospital and been put on a waiting list for surgery. My hernia gives me no pain or discomfort at all, and I am worried about having surgery which gives people so much trouble. My question - is it better to have it dealt with while it is small to prevent future problems or wait and see? I am female and in my 70s, but do lead a very active life with 2 allotments and hillwalking, and I don't want to have permanent problems which make me give up the things that keep me healthy. Perhaps this should be a separate post, but I was looking for posts from females which are few and far between

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adele 89294, how have you been in the last three months.  I was reading your post and felt horrible that someone else, and a host of people, having similar issues as I do. 

I had a surgeon convince me that open bilater inguinal hernia repair was the way to go in mid 2014 by giving me misinformation on the Laparoscopic procedure.  He 'volunterily severed' the ilioinguinal nerves on both sides for suture placement.  I had tremendous swelling and black and blue after surgery and excruciating pain that I passed out from twice even on the high power pain meds.  Weeks later most of swelling had gone down but other parts of my body were damaged from the swelling, I'm a guy now dealing with other urological issues that I never had previous due to the swelling. 

I had swelling that remained on right side and a lump at top of left incision.  I was told to give them time...along with the other aforementioned issue.  The doctor pushed me off saying it was normal and I was fine.  Well doc, you're wrong. 

After a year and a half of the lump, swelling, holy smokes pain, a huge numb area in my lower region and even having problems with my right leg, I went to another doctor who actually was a specialist, not just claiming it.

The right leg would stop moving...it was absolutely scary.  When the mesh was put in the doctor got too close to the femoral nerve with sutures and the femoral nerve was unhappy...this is really uncommon so lucky me.  sad  I would have to stop moving and just rest for up to five minutes to regain motor function in my leg.  The new doctor was aghast at this!  We set a plan in place to try nerve blocking procedures and medication before going in for mesh removal or inspection. 

Several ultrasound guided nerve blocking injections were done as well as several scripts for medication typically used in people with seizures.  Three different meds and three blocking injections.  First one seemed to work but as it wore off...the nerve pain actually was enhanced instead of dulled and the anti-seizure meds made feel really off. 

Back to doctor- lump- MRI time which verified exactly what it was and it wasn't 'scar tissue' as I was previously told.  The swelling under right incision was still there and he was pretty ticked about that as well as they could've been ignoring a low level infection.  !!

Late fall 2015 he opened up previous incisions to reveal the mesh on left side was exposed, right side was inflammed with two other hernias he felt were not identified during the original procedure.  He removed all mesh and sutures and tried to find the severed ilioinguinal nerves but was unable to indentify them at that point.  He closed the incisions with glue so they didn't look like autopsy stitching like the first time, then he did a laparoscopic procedure.  Five and a half hours total surgery time.

Even though he opened the original incisions and removed the mesh THEN did a full laparoscopic procedure, ...I used NO pain medication, and barely had any yellowing.  It was night and day difference.  The swelling is gone on right side and lump *eye roll* is obviously gone...and femoral nerve issue is gone too.  So that's all the plus sides!

Bad part is I'm still having horrible nerve pain from the severed ilioinguinal nerves.  I used to have maybe a couple hours of movement but that is gone now.  I'm hurting all the time.  Posture is affected, work affected, home life affected, mobility with running and lifting discontinued and pain walking...it's really awful and don't let anyone dismiss it.  I've had to another repair surgery because of the swelling and the corresponding damage that did and have been to more health systems and doctors in 2-1/2 years than entire life.  Neurectory may be my next step so I've been watching your posts and hoping you all the luck in your recovery. 

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So sorry to hear Paul of your nightmare journey.

I am actually going back to the specialist today as I am still having pain. Any activity, mobility makes it more severe. So no improvement yet. I am still hoping time will heal.

A month or so ago I thought I was turning a corner (if only for a couple of days), but it has flared up again bad..

I have had more US and CT guided nerve blocks and MRI. They are showing very bad scar tissue, scar tissue along remaining GF nerve, adductor tendonosis and possible adductor tear, but my doctor does not understand why I am still having nerve pain because he did triple neurectomy 7 months ago and he specialises in this area.

Like youself my whole quality of life has changed. 

I am busy taking care of my two daughters, running the home and my husband and I own our own business.     

Will see how I go today. I am losing faith and am sick of medical procedures, medications (which have not worked), pain management specialists, physiothrapy and pain management psychologist to no avail. 

I really hope all of the people suffering on here get some answers and get free from pain. Best of luck to everyone in your recoveries.

I will let you know how I go today.

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Hi adele 899294,

I hope you were able to get some possible good news from you appointment. 

When I went to the second doctor, who ultimately did the mesh removal and attempt to fix the rest of the mess (and presccribed the pain management specialist), I had the chance to tell him my results of the the several ultrasound guided nerve blocking injections and the crappy meds.  He told me that honestly hadn't seen lasting results from that but stated that we needed to try and hope as it the last real option to eliminated before.  It was nice to have that kind of honesty even though I really hoped it would've surprised him instead of being kind of what he expected.  My granted me a little reprieve after the first nerve block, but then came back worse by the time I was done...and has remained worse then when I originally had gone there. 

I hope you've had some positive result from you appointment! 

 

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Hello Paul, thanks for asking.

To be honest I can't really notice much difference yet. The local worked for a couple of hours after though, being numb and all, but is not likely to address the whole problem.  I am having pain in the groin also where they did not inject.

It has been such a life changing time.

My surgeon is trying all avenues and has decided on a plan of elimination I suppose.

As per part of his assessment.

Discussion: My plan with Adele is as follows

1.  Reinject the pubic tubercle under ultrasound guidance this afternoon by Dr James Black.

2.  Arrange for a bone scan in particular looking at the pubic tubercle region by Dr Vivian Fernandez

3.  Inject the right pudendal nerve by Dr Alasdair Robertson

4.  Perform an Adductor tenotomy and right obturator nerve release.

 So we’ll take things step-by-step and await further developments

So who knows, just take each day as it comes and hope for a miracle or some dedicated doctors to help me through this.

I had to cancel a school break holiday because of this that was planned for the Easter school holidays. 

My kids missing out on their mum how she used to be.

I see you are still suffering also.

Please keep in touch

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Hi Adele. I want to thank you for posting because you are right, there is very little information out there about female inguinal hernias. I have just been diagnosed with one on the right side as well after having appendix removal surgery 2 months ago. The hernia has been the most painful thing to come out of that surgery. I don't think you mentioned if yours was painful before the surgery? My pain went down the front of my thigh so I am not sure if they cut a nerve in my appendectomy or not.

I am wondering how long it took for your nerve pain to go away after the hernia surgery? Was there any pain killers that helped? Percocette and hydromorphone don't even cut it for the pain for me right now so I am worried about post op. Was it that they HAD to cut that nerve for you or was it accidental? Wondering if they will do the same for me. Thanks for your time.

13

Hi coppertop, on my hernia repair, the doctor's notes, "...voluntarily severed the ilioinguinal nerves for suture placement..." has been the worst thing to be done to my body.  I'm coming up on three years and still in pain from it and have numbness in my entire pubic region and about 2" down the inside of each thigh.  The more active I am, the worse it is to a point I'll develop a limp.  ALL of this clown's work had to be redone but the severed nerves could not be repaired.  The new doctor said it's all about preserving the nerves these days and if you do any research, for the last seven to nine years, that's been the push.  Adele's pain and nerve issues are worse than mine...and mine a pretty bad, I truly feel for her.  sad   I have read about other types of surgeries where different nerves are incidently cut during the procedure.  Best of luck and hopefully your nerve pain abates as continue to heal/recover. 

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Hello Paul. I am still in pain till this day. Not giving up just yet.

15

Hi

​Sorry to hear about all your problems. I had a laproscopic inguinal hernia op on my right side just over 5 months ago and had a mesh inserted. The op went ok but was very painful after and actually the pain in my back and groin seems to be getting worse and worse. I've also got the horrible shooting pains in my pubic mons that just take your breath away don't they. I'm very early on with getting help. Hard work to get a visit to my surgeon, took 3 doctor's visits. Going in 2 weeks but really don't know what to expect.

Sorry to hear about your problems too john. Wish i never had the operation now.

Hoping you're both ok