Posted by vaguy on January 15, 2009, 11:45 am
199.196.144.X
Hi, new here and hoping to get the group’s collective advice.
Have an inguinal hernia on my right side. Although it hurt when it burst, it generally doesn’t hurt now. That being said, my internist said that I really should not exercise until I get it fixed. So I consulted with a local (DC area) surgeon who specializes in lap hernia repairs – well recommended, has reportedly done >1000 since 1993.
His examination makes him think that, in addition to my right side hernia, my left is weak (but hasn’t ruptured). He recommends a lap procedure (of course) in which he would use 1 piece of mesh across the abdominal wall to fix the right side and reinforce the left to prevent it from rupturing. Sounded great, but then I started reading around and get a little worried. Any thoughts from the group on:
- What makes a Dr. choose between lap and open?
- What happens to the mesh over time? If I get heavier as I get older, will the mesh (which I understand is flexible but not stretchable) create problems for me – pain, flexibility, etc.?
- What are the long-term effects on flexibility generally (either lap or open)?
- What happens if it ruptures again – can they re-fix a lap repair? How dangerous is that? (I think they can re-fix an “open” repair.)
FWIW, I’m a very active 40 year old man in otherwise good shape – exercise 4-5 x/week (bike and weights), if anything a little on the thin side. (And the thin-ness is what makes me wary of what happens when middle-age spread finally catches up.)
Sorry for the long post, but I appreciate any thoughts. Thanks!
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