Posted by Jeff on May 22, 2009, 12:53 pm
24.39.221.X
My situation is a complicated one involving more than three years, two surgeries, a ton of research, and what appears now to be a life-altering nightmare. I write with a question and also to provide cautionary information to others.
Over three years ago I had an initial left inguinal hernia surgery that was supposed to be simple, routine, and uncomplicated. My general practitioner, John Costello, in Ithaca, NY, didn't know much about hernia surgery and told me the common approach was a "mesh patch". "Everyone pretty much does it the same way these day," he said, and he also said that all the surgeons in town (Ithaca) did the surgery the same way and could be trusted to do a great job. I didn't know better and trusted him. So, the surgery was done by William Phillips in Ithaca. He installed both a plug and mesh, which it turns out is the approach used be all surgeons here, and he used the open method. I didn't question the plug & mesh, because of what my GP had told me and the good things the surgeon said about that method.
The initial surgery took a number of weeks of recovery (unlike the stories I read of quick and easy recoveries), but everything seemed basically alright except for a pretty large, hard lump at the site of the surgery.
One year after the surgery, while doing some modest yard work, digging, I tore something, and there was dramatic pain at the site of the surgery. The surgeon recommended pain killers, without even feeling the site of the lump and pain. He said the pain would recede. After many weeks of the pain killers not working and of beginning to do my own research, I asked about physical therapy, etc. and eventually worked with a great PT/massage therapist who worked the lump of scar tissue into a softer smoother mass, and the pain finally went away.
Two years after this (summer 2008), severe pain returned at the site of surgery, with no apparent cause. PT/massage and pain killers did not help. After extensive research, email consultations with various surgeons nationally (James Goodyear, Parviz Amid, Stephen Hoffstedter and others), and visit to see Dr. Goodyear, I decided to have surgery done by Dr. Goodyear to address what he and others felt were complications related to the plug.
This surgery was done 8 months ago, and it included a triple neurectomy, removal of the plug and mesh (which was complicated as the plug had partially come loose and was shifted on its side), and installation of a Prolene Hernia System. The problem is that I'm still in considerable pain, managed by taking the pain meds, Lyrica and Tramadol. The only hope of reversal at this point appears to be to take Lyrica and Tramadol long term in hopes that eventually the pain and complications will subside. My certified pain specialist here in Ithaca has had a similar experience himself (with mesh, but no plug) with two surgeries. He had severe pain for almost two years following the second surgery before things settled down. He is now pain free.
Dr. Goodyear says there is nothing else he can do, and Parviz Amid says that if the nerves have been cut and there is still pain, he doesn't know of another procedure that will help.
MY QUESTIONS ARE: Does anyone know of other options to address my situation, and/or does anyone know of a specialist I should consult -- anywhere in the country!
And, for the record, I'm trim, athletic (or at least used to be), eat well, exercise as best I can, etc.
My advice based on my experience and, now, extensive research is:
1) Do not let anyone install a plug!
2) Do not trust your GP's advice about hernia surgery unless he/she seems to know a lot about the kinds of things discussed here. Do your own research and consult with experts.
3) Have the surgery done by someone who does a LOT of hernia surgeries a year (over 70 -- research suggests that surgeons who perform more hernia surgeries have a lower rate of recurrence). My surgeon, it turns out, only did about 30 a year when I had it done. If I'd known about this issue, I would have chosen someone else. This information is available online in many states (even though my GP said it wasn’t!)
Thanks!!
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