Help!! Possible need for hernia mesh removal!!

[bcsimpsons]

Back in the beginning of August I had a ventral hernia repaired with mesh. Ever since then the pain on my side is unreal. Even when I take a moderately deep breathe, the pain is so sharp that it takes my breathe away. I have been told that I have fluid build-up around the mesh implant and that it should dissolve on its own. The site is still very tender and most of the pain is directly under my rib and wraps around to my side. The surgeon wants me to try nerve blocks before he says he needs to remove the mesh. Through all of this I have lost almost 30 pounds. I'm all for loosing weight but not this way. The pain does not allow me to eat hardly anything. Does anyone have any experience with mesh removals?
Any information that I could get so that I can get rid of this pain (I don't need anymore pain then I already had) would be GREATLY appreciated!!

Becky

[SCI-Nurse]

Here is some information about concerns about hernia repairs with mesh:

http://www.fda.gov/MedicalDevices/Safety/AlertsandNotices/ucm142636.htm

(KLD)

[Obieone]

Hi Becky - Bill has mesh in his belly from a hernia repair. He doesn't have pain from it (as far as we know) because it's below his level of injury but the wound has never completely healed because the mesh is leeching out - ongoing. He's had a surgeon remove some of it a little at a time but it's still coming out even after 8 years. It's all tangled up in there I guess!

We thought we might be in line for compensation from a class action being filed because this mesh had been recalled but as it turned out it wasn't the specific mesh Bill has. Maybe you should look into that. Here's a link you might find helpful to a discussion about it I found which is more relevant to you because it is an American board - ours was a Canadian action ! http://www.topix.com/forum/news/prweb/T9PBVQ8O787R0LGG9

I wish you all the best sweetie! You sure have had a rough go of it over the years haven't you ?

Obieone

[cara_m]

Hi Becky - Bill has mesh in his belly from a hernia repair. He doesn't have pain from it (as far as we know) because it's below his level of injury but the wound has never completely healed because the mesh is leeching out - ongoing. He's had a surgeon remove some of it a little at a time but it's still coming out even after 8 years. It's all tangled up in there I guess! Obieone


Wow Obie, My mother had hernia surgery in the early 90's and has the same problem The wound never healed completely and consequently fluid keeps oozing out, I think it is called a fistula(sp). She covers it daily with gauze and paper tape. When it gets real bad, which is sporadic, she goes to the doctor and he tries to pull more mesh out with what looks like tweezers. He really doesn't want to do corrective surgery, due to her advanced age. He did say that it wasn't harming her, it's not painfull and since it is just an inconvenience that she should probably just deal with it, which I totally agree, since I wouldn't want her to have abdominal surgery for convenience sake. I mean sheesh, it's been almost 20 years since the original surgery. I will say this. The fluid at times can give off quite a stench.

Sorry about your pain Becky. Are you sure the pain is directly a result of the hernia surgery or maybe from surgical scarring? Whatever it is I sure hope they figure it out without surgery. You have definitely been through the ringer with pain issues.:pray:

[thehipcrip]

There are no words, Becky. I'm so very sorry.

[lynnifer]

I've heard/read warnings about the mesh repairs as well. I hope it gets better for you soon Becky.

[bcsimpsons]

KLD and Obie- Thanks for the links!!! I will look through them very carefully!!

Cara- The surgeon is pretty sure its from the mesh. The surgical scar itself looks good and definitely doesn't hurt as much as the location around/under my rib. I hope they can figure it out without surgery too!!!! I will be EXTREMELY upset if they can't!

HipCrip- I also have no words to express my disgust other then some four letter ones :( :(.

Lynnifer- I read about those before having the surgery done too and thought I had asked all the right questions that I needed to so that I wouldn't have problems :(.

Note to any and all who read this!!!! If doctors tell you need ANY kind of repair with mesh.... ENTER INTO THIS CAREFULLY!!!!!

Becky

[djbds]

Becky, if Karma is really a bitch, than I suppose you must have done something in your past life to deserve...this????

NOBODY deserves what you have gone through...and continue to deal with. I wouldn't trade places with you for all the sand in Egypt...and @ 30yrs old recovering from surgery #10 spending T-Giving ALONE because a recalled device I was never warned about is paralyzing me slowly but surely...well, imagine HOW BAD your situation must look like to me!!!!

I went down the MESH battle road...and LOST. I had the WORLD's foremost authorities on mesh implants, mesh removals, neurectomies, and hernia repairs...ALL testify on my behalf...but how does "David beat Goliath" if he is without a sling to throw his stone?? I had all the ammunition in the world...but...my opponent had the SYSTEM on their side.

ITS TIME THAT ALL CHANGES. Before you think about ANYTHING regarding MESH, visit this thread:

http://www.topix.com/forum/news/prweb/TE4DF83JKBNACOFNO/p228#c4790

Mesh removal should NEVER be an option for surgery...I know that sounds crazy, right? WHY? BECAUSE...MESH SHOULD NEVER BE USED IN THE FIRST FREAKING PLACE!!!! You had ventral hernia repair...mesh failure, fistula, perforation, or worse...it can all lead to disability or death. You need a support system and doctors/surgeons you can TRUST, who are NOT on the "mesh industry's bonus list." YES, surgeons received "special incentives" from these device manufacturers...for PUSHING a certain product.

My hernia repair surgeon?? Yea, she used the SAME REPAIR TECHNIQUE and the SAME MESH on every single patient who ever presented with an inguinal hernia, whether it was a 10year old girl or a 72 year old man, whether direct or indirect, whether it was a MASSIVE defect or a tiny defect. She had laparoscopic repair brochures in her office...she told me to "IGNORE THEM," because she doesn't "offer that type of surgery" in my situation.

IT ALL GETS WORSE before it gets better...but we HAVE a fight, we just need support from one another!!!

http://www.change.org/petitions/fda-and-us-supreme-court-accoutability-of-med-device-companies-injurydeath-from-their-products

[LindaT]

I hope you get some answers and relief soon.