I've been living with pain for 2 years now after having umbilical hernia surgery from the mesh placed.
I've tried two different versions of Rectus sheet blocks for control the nerve pain. Both with little to no help.
I'm strongly considering having the mesh removed but I want to talk to a surgeon that specialises in just removing meshes. There is a lot of discussions about that in the forums here but I can't seem to find the names when I look through them.
Can someone suggest a London based surgeon that they have had the surgery with and how the surgery went after they had the mesh removed?
I just want to be a normal human being again. It's been really tough.
Thanks!
-Justin-
Hi
There are only a couple of surgeons that remove meshes in the UK. The surgeon who removed mine is based in Germany but comes to the uk every 4 weeks to do a clinic and surgery . The only uk based surgeon I know of and I looked extensively is at the south east hernia clinic . I am yet not seeing the benefits st the moment but it has only been 10 weeks and I am told some people feel benefit straight away others longer. It has about 70-80% improvement rating . So there are a good percentage that feel the same or s little worse .
Hey Richard
First of all thanks for responding. I have a few extra questions for you if you don't mind.
What are the names of the two surgeons you are referring to above?
What kind of hernia did you have?
What did they have to do to remove the mesh?
How big was yours? Mine is 10cm x 15cm.
How long did it take to heal?
Thanks!
The mesh was 11 by 6 cm
Inguinal hernia
Dr Mushaweck from Germany
Peter Jones at the south east hernia clinic. Both have websites
Thank you so much for this. Just two more questions then I'll stop bothering you!
Did they have to cut open your whole stomach? How long did it take to heal.
Cheers!
Not for inguinal hernia . Cannot comment on umbilical .
How do you feel now Richard? Better after the removal? I saw the German doctor you recomended and she seemed a bit too pushy to me. Didn't want to spend £6k to have it done in Germany. Found someone else based off of your Peter Jones suggestion. Going to be having the removal surgery soon. Thanks for your help again. I really appreciate it.
I was going to recommend Peter Jones from the South East England hernia clinic, but it seemss like he has retired now. Talked to a woman with great result, and he has a lot of experience with mesh removal. I know Ulrike Muschaweck has a lot of experience with mesh removal, shw work both in Munich and London. Most top football players in Europe travel to her for hernia surgery. The irish race walker Robert Heffernan got his inguinal mesh removed by her, and I think he is doing great. He competed in the last olympics. I have also read some bad stories about, Ulrike, so you should check up on her yourself. If you would consider travel to other countries in Europe, I can provide you with a lot of names of very experienced hernia mesh removal surgeons. Was your mesh placed with open or laparoscopic surgery?
SORRY. Didnt see the replies.. I now see that you have got these two recommended already and have seen Ulrike.
Thanks for the info. I had it done laparoscopicly.
I'm thinking of having Peter Jones' "apprentice" do the surgery. He'll be opening me up quit a bit to make sure and get all the mesh out.
Have you had your mesh removed? What type was it and how did you heal?
I also had laparoscopic surgery, but for inguinal hernia. I have not had my mesh removed yet. Most surgeons I have talked to recommend to get the mesh removed laparoscopically, if the mesh has been inserted this way. But I know other world class surgeons who remove laparscopically placed mesh through open surgery, so I don't know what's the best solution. I have decided to go for laparoscopic removal myself. Do your research on this surgeon, find out how many meshes he has removed, ask about his results and complications. If it's any comfort, it's less risk to remove umbilcal mesh than inguinal mesh.I have also read many success stories about people who get their umbilical mesh removed. Wish you the best.
hi Esoteric
i had to have 2 umbilical hernia meshes remeoved it was a very serious op was 5 hours on the table as they have been in situ one over 8 yers and the other over 2 years. 2016 i felt somthing drop in my stomach and was admitted to hospital with a stomach infection dont know how or where it happened,i hvae been in and out of hospital and doctors for the past 7 months it was the meshes that was causing all my problems the doctors tried alot ov this to get rid of infection even a vac pump dressing was done but nothing worked so left with nothing only to remove both meshes,because the eshes were is so long there was also muscle removed to make sure on infected parts remained.so im 3 weeks over it now still very limited with movement not back driving and feeling a good bit of pain,
my biggest issue is how the meshes became infected the dr were puzzeled also im out of work and self employed finding it very hard to keep going.
has anyone had this done what is the recovery time did anyone take legal advice
Hello, RuinedByMesh,
You say that you know the names of many experienced hernia mesh removal surgeons in Europe.
I am having serious problems with a hernia mesh after incisional hernia repair. (Dynamesh Cicat).
Can you recommend a surgeon in Europe who would be able to remove this mesh? I am living in
Germany. Dr. Muschaweck does not qualify for removal of this mesh.
Thank you.
ellen
Ellen
Hi Justin,
I see you are having problems with your umbilical hernia repair. I am currently in the same boat for the last 2 years. What does your pain feel like? Where exactly is it located? I have to get trigger point injection every few months to manage the pain. Im going back to the surgeon soon. Hope you feel better soon!
Thanks
April
Hi April
I had my mesh removed in Feb. 2017. It made all the difference! I don't have any pain like I did before. It really saved my life to be honest. I was finding it unbearable. My healing after the mesh removal was faster then when the mesh was put in. I still have some pain but it's just at the scar from the new incision. I can do almost anything now.
I found that the injections that you're doing now not to last very long. Let me know if you want to know my surgeon or not if you're thinking about having it removed. He's based in Maidstone, UK.
Hope you can feel better!
-Justin-
btw... I realised I didn't answer your questions. I had the pain on the sides of the mesh. It's a hard thing to explain. Kind of a tightness like a corset all the time and it was sometimes dull and sometimes sharp shooting pain.
Thanks for answering my question. I get the pain only on the left side of my mesh and it feels sharp like someone is turning a knif in my stomach. The injections only last about 2-3 months and yes the pain is unbearable and will stop you in your tracks. Did the Dr’s tell you what was causing you the pain? Was it the staples of the mesh? If the mesh is out what about the hernias arent they still there? I live in the U.S. the UK is a little far, but thanks.
Hi Ellen
Your the first person I've come across with Dynamesh. I had my Dynamesh IPOM hernia mesh (20x30cm)removed in Zurich by a Dr called Dr Bolko von Herstenbergk-Helldorff. He was working at Baermed but has left now. Have you found someone yet? The surgeon who put mine in at Baermed/Hirslanden hospital denied it was the mesh causing my pain. He said it was me but Dr Bolko said it was the mesh and remit all in a 3rd operation. If you can find him, he was good. Said he might go back to Germany? Where did you have yours done?
Hey there,just picking up on this thread, who was the surgeon who removed your mesh. Glad to hear your doing well thx
Hi
I had the surgery at KIMS hospital in Maidstone. The surgeon was Mr Simon Bailey: https://www.mtw.nhs.uk/consultant/mr-simon-bailey/
He's very open about options and no BS when it comes to most things. He'll give you an honest assessment and help.