I had a hernia diagnosed in 2017, but never acted on it due to fear of how much the consultant at that time went on about the risk of chronic pain.
I agreed to have it operated three years later in 2020 with a different specialist, who was less vocal about chronic pain. She noted a second hernia on the other (left) side but mentioned it could not be treated just then i believe. I agreed to an ‘open mesh repair’ as she noted something about visibility and access.
The procedure was supposed to be an outpatient affair at Haggerston Hospital. I was in so much pain post-operation that the duty nurse held me back as I could not move at all. I was put on liquid morphine and a saline drip overnight as my blood pressure went through the floor. I was in agony for a week thereafter and doubled over another two weeks.
I have now had the second (left side) hernia checked and the scan came back positive - but with a new hernia (or a return of the old hernia) on the right side, which i am not even contemplating at this point.
I will not submit to open mesh repair again and made this clear to the new specialist i had to see in 2025 who was dismissive and rude, claiming he would convert the operation from keyhole to open mesh if he ‘decided to do so’ due to weight. I am losing weight but am still fearful of surgery.
I am hoping to hear from people here who have had laproscopic or keyhole hernia repair surgery, as I understand this is far less intrusive with fewer risks from chronic pain, but mainly because it is so much less invasive in terms of tissue damage as a result of the operation.
Any help or feedback based on actual experiences - not opinion, please - would be very welcome.
-s-