Comments on: Hernia repair problems could be caused by defective surgical mesh

By: TM

TM — Sat, 28 Jan 2012 18:14:18 +0000

I am 40 years old. In 2002 I was found to have Diverticulitis and hademergency surgery because of postules found and had to have 18 inches of my colon removed because of this. Then, in 2004 I then had bilateral hernia surgery in which I believe this mesh was put in. (I am currently applying for my medical records to be sure). Then in 2010 I had Gall Bladder surgery for the removal of my Gall Bladder. Ever since the Hernia Surgery (and especially the Gall Bladder surgery) I have had problems with abdominal pain, constipation, I had one partcular bought of extreme pain which lasted for days which was debilitating, feelings of the same pain and distension associated with my hernia as before. I was wondering if the complications fro the MESH (if it turns out it is the same MESH as described) can manifest this amount of time after the surgery?

By: jessica

jessica — Wed, 11 Jan 2012 22:23:01 +0000

i had a herina repair with the mess and i have had problems ever since i had it done. i had the surgery done in 2010. Since i have had it done my stomach it hurts and my belly button hurts too. thats where they put the mess at where my belly button is. i think they should just take the mess out and that way i wont have all this pain in my stomach.

By: Richard

Richard — Sat, 10 Dec 2011 15:43:11 +0000

Here’s my horror story. In 2005, I was diagnosed with diverticulitis. For the repair of this, a colostomy operation was done, and reversed 6 months later. I thought all was well. About a year later, incisional hernia develops on one of the incisions. Repaired with mesh. To make a long story short, I am lying in a hospital bed after my 5th hernia repair. This particular repair was done using a different method than in the past. Using laproscopy, All of the old mesh remnants were removed, and a different (and hopefully stronger) type of mesh was used to seal from inside the abdominal cavity. I went into the surgery thinking, along with the doctor, that the procedure would take just under three hours. Over 8 hours later, I was admitted into ICU, where I began an over week long stay in the hospital. The amount of pain that I have suffered during this procedure has been more intense that all of the others combined. So, here’s hoping for a fifth and final repair. I hope this one works, ’cause my resources have long ago been exhausted due to not only the medical expenses that I incurred during all of these procedures, but the financial losses due to not being able to work because of missed work were devastating. Something has to be done for those who need to have more than one repair to the same site.

By: Linda

Linda — Mon, 21 Nov 2011 01:42:07 +0000

I had hernia operation 2010 my Dr. put surgical mesh in.Since then I have a lot of bladder problems,infections my hernia is right back where it was before the surgery,my lower stomach is swollen and have bowel problems.I’m concerned that the mesh might have come lose,and I have pain in lower stomach.

By: Kim

Kim — Mon, 14 Nov 2011 13:09:53 +0000

I had an apendectomy in oct of 2005, and the surgeon that done the surgery cut an artery. I was opened up from my breast bone to my pelvic the same afternoon, after laying in the hospital so long that they had to give me a blood transfusion before and then intubate me during so they could do the surgery to fix the bleeder. following these two surgeries I had to go back in Feb of 06 because the incision where the other two surgeries were done herniated. Again I was opened up from breast bone to pelvis and There was a mesh patch inserted 7″x 7″ , I’m not sure which one, but have had tenderness and pain, if I lift or try to use my stomach muscles very much, ever since. for the last two weeks it has really gotten bad and now my stomach looks like I am nine months pregnant and the tenderness which was only on one side covers my whole abdomen. When I originally went back for my followup after the hernia surgery the surgeon told me the tenderness was normal and would go away, but it has only gotten worse. I don’t know if there is anything I can do about any of this, but one thing I do know is that I want the mesh patch taken out.

By: Bobby

Bobby — Mon, 07 Nov 2011 21:37:19 +0000

i had right and left side abdominal hernia surgery in 2009. it was done with unknown mesh.since then the pain has become terrible on both sides, mainly the right side.i can not lift anything,twist,bend or have a bowel movement without this unbelievable pain.i have been to 2 docters,cat scan was done,they say they cant find anything wrong,but my symptoms go on and on and are getting worse.no one should have to live with this daily pain. i have a 8 month old son,cannot even take care of him.. the docters act like i am joking or putting on,if they had to live this way,they would quickly change their minds. i have not been able to work for months,i am 41 and just admmited to myself that i am disabled. my prayers to those with this neverending problem. i am scared to try another surgery,even though i am now disabled!!!

By: Irene

Irene — Wed, 02 Nov 2011 20:57:05 +0000

I had hernia repair of the navel in january 2001, since then i have been to several doctors even the Dr that did my surgery, he said it might just be scar tissue, but I been hurting off and on since then, and this past 2 months its been worst, my navel is swollen, and hurts like someone is stabbing me, How can I find out if this is the kind of mesh that was recalled?

By: Terry

Terry — Sat, 08 Oct 2011 03:14:49 +0000

I had my first hernia surgery in Sept 2009. In April of 2010 my dr had to go in and place a mesh screen in my stomach since my hernia had erupted again. I have had problems every since. In August of 2011 my Dr had to go in and reposition the hernia and the mesh screen since it had moved. 6 weeks later I had to go in and have the mesh screen removed since it is badly infected. The infection is so bad that my dr had to leave the incision open to let it drain. I now have to have my stomach packed once or twice daily. I am now waiting on a wound vac to be put in where the incision is to hopefully speed the healing process.

By: Monica

Monica — Thu, 22 Sep 2011 15:31:10 +0000

I am just checking to see if these patches or any of the recalled patches were used in late 2001. I had a inguinal hernia repair in which a patch was used. For the past 4 years I have had recurring diarrehea which sucks! I can’t think of any reason for this to start other than a possibilty of this patch issue – which has been all over tv and I just decided to look at symptoms. If there is an answer can someone please let me know. My life with three small children and a farm is impacted by the constant need to run to the restroom. It sucks!

By: Carol

Carol — Sun, 18 Sep 2011 03:24:50 +0000

I had surgery for my pancreatic duct in ’98. Mistakes were made & after a week recovering in the hospital, I began severly hemorraging. They operated on me 4 more times (abdominally) trying to find the source of the bleed. They placed me in a medical coma for 7 weeks while they searched. When I woke up I was on life support. I had rec’vd 100 pints of blood and 500 units of plasma related products. I am a medical miracle, of sorts. I spent 7 months in 2 rehabs unable to walk, where they tortured me by strapping me to a machine and cranking it up until I was standing. Next, my legs were pushed backwards until they were straight (while I screamed, sobbed & begged for them to stop). I was made to stand like that for several minutes. The Drs. convinced my family I did not want to recover while they came to me at night & said I was upsetting the other patients. I told them I had severe pain in my knees and hips but they did not believe me. I complained daily about the pain and was finally granted X-rays, twice. They said the results were negative. I was transferred out of the acute re-hab to sub acute and when I could pick my self up out of my wheelchair, I was able to go home. I had home physical therapy and my therapist kept telling me he didn’t understand why I couldn’t do what he wanted me to do . He knew I was trying, He asked me to go to a physiotherapist who sent me to someone else and so on & so on until an orthopedist took one look at me & knew why I couldn’t walk. He sent me to B’more to an traumatic bone surgeon. It seems bone had fused my knees and hips together while I was in that coma. The excess bone was chiseled away from both knees & both hips. Shortly therafter I was walking & driving my car again. I was disabled, I had neuropathy in both feet and legs (non diabetic) I lived in constant pain but I was on my feet and happy to be so. Then one day I woke up and I looked like I was 8 months pregnant. A hernia developed because A: I was operated 5 times in a row and B: I was told to use my recovered upper body strength to pick myself up out of the wheelchair so I could go home. In 2003 I had a 15 hour surgery at a very famous B’more hospital to put my organs back where they belong (and also remove an ovary, not related). I had a plastic surgeon and a surgeon insert a mesh “screen” because there was no muscle left to hold things in place. Fast forward to 2009 and oops, here we go again. A lump develops on my left side, GP blows it off and says it’s fat. *NOTE TO #32 RICK : ARE YOU A DOCTOR?JUST WONDERING WHY IT IS NECESSARY FOR YOU TO COME TO A WEBSITE LIKE THIS TO DEMEAN PEOPLE WHO ARE SUFFERING. OR MAYBE YOU WORK FOR THE LABS THAT ARE BEING SUED!* Note to other patients, obese or not, ignore ignorance even if it speaks well. It is there to discourage you. Be of good faith and keep searching for answers. If you are not satisified with your Dr.’s answers, find another! Find a nationally recognized hospital to help you. Keep fighting. Don;t give up! Never give up!
Pray for healing and patience. Keep searching. And maybe find a lawyer…yeah that might work.
p.s. I am obese, not grotesquely, but 40# overweight is obese. I am facing another surgery and I have suffered with diaherria and pain. I can feel internal tearing and every time I eat even a small meal I am in pain. I had a colonoscopy last year that was clear but I wear a binder daily. I had the surgery scheduled last summer but my Mother was diagnosed with terminal cancer and she passed in Feb. I have spent months grieving in a way I never expected but now I just want it over with. This will be 30 something surgery (lost count). God bless all who suffer for they shall see the kingdom of God. I am grateful for my life and that my children nor my grandchildren did not follow in my path. I have paid a huge price for errors that were not of my making. I will find joy in my family and pray there is an end to this.