Hernia question

CB · May 1, 2008

I'm sure that more than a few of you have done the same thing i did. Not to be too graphic, but i basically pushed part of my intestines into my scrotum about 2 years ago. I had the laproscopic surgery, where they inserted a metal mesh patch down there. Even now, i still think about it every time i do heavy squats, leg presses, or deadlifts. Has anyone had any issue with injuring the same side after having the mesh in place? I've learned to breathe a lot smarter while lifting, but it is always in the back of my mind.

HUTCH · May 1, 2008

CB said:
I'm sure that more than a few of you have done the same thing i did. Not to be too graphic, but i basically pushed part of my intestines into my scrotum about 2 years ago. I had the laproscopic surgery, where they inserted a metal mesh patch down there. Even now, i still think about it every time i do heavy squats, leg presses, or deadlifts. Has anyone had any issue with injuring the same side after having the mesh in place? I've learned to breathe a lot smarter while lifting, but it is always in the back of my mind.

I had surgery for a double hernia back in 01...I went back during track season that year becuase I was sure it had came back cuz I was still have the same pains in my groin area...He said it is gonna take a while for the mesh to settle in and it will cause some nerve issues...But he assured me the hernia would never break through the mesh...It really affected my track season though as my groin would tighten up very easily...

Physick · May 1, 2008

My girlfriend just had surgery for a small hernia a couple months ago but was lucky enough to just require stitches, no mesh. My dad actually performs the surgery in question on a fairly regular basis and from what I understand the area with the mesh becomes significantly stronger than the surrounding tissue. It does take a while for that to happen but you're much more likely to get a hernia in a new area than the old spot.

heavyiron · May 1, 2008

CB said:
I'm sure that more than a few of you have done the same thing i did. Not to be too graphic, but i basically pushed part of my intestines into my scrotum about 2 years ago. I had the laproscopic surgery, where they inserted a metal mesh patch down there. Even now, i still think about it every time i do heavy squats, leg presses, or deadlifts. Has anyone had any issue with injuring the same side after having the mesh in place? I've learned to breathe a lot smarter while lifting, but it is always in the back of my mind.

8 weeks after surgury i was sled pressing 800lbs. no problems. i get a weird twinge every once in a while but everything is ok.

nicocujo · May 2, 2008

I've had 3 umbilical surgeries. The first 2 busted open and the third had the mesh installed. That was 19 years ago. Never had a problem again after having the mesh installed.

thebrick · May 2, 2008

I have had triple hernia surgery all repaired with mesh. You will be fine and are good to go. They gave me a sample of the material they used in the repair. Mine was a synthetic fabric with a mesh reinforcement. No way could you tear that stuff. They used a metal mesh on you? + breathing smarter is just good blood pressure policy.

ironserenity · May 2, 2008

They don't use the metal mesh unless it is a very very unique type of hernia that doesn't particularly involve the intestines directly
If you think about it, metal mesh, moving back and forth over your intestinal track will eventually wear away the outer lining probably resulting in septicemia... They use synthetic as brick stated.
I had Hernia surgery back in January of this year and I am almost 100%. I still ahve weird scar tissue that is making my abs look a little funky and someo f the weird sensations I get are nerve damage and psychological phantom feelings. If it feels scary, be careful!

CB · May 3, 2008

Thanks for the info. Glad to hear nobody has had issues with the mesh. I had a twinge in my hip flexor last week, and the first thing i thought of was the hernia. Guess i need to stay smart, and quit worrying.

maldorf · May 3, 2008

CB said:
Thanks for the info. Glad to hear nobody has had issues with the mesh. I had a twinge in my hip flexor last week, and the first thing i thought of was the hernia. Guess i need to stay smart, and quit worrying.

I had a triple hernia surgery a bit over 1 year ago. 2 inguinal and 1 umbilical hernia all repaired with mesh. The 2 inguinal hernias still ache in the morning sometimes, but they appear to be holding. I had a catscan done on the area and everything was ok. So pain doesnt necessarily mean it has ripped again. Seems to be some pressure on a nerve or something. A doctor told me that its not uncommon to have pain in the morning upon rising because the mesh tends to move around somehow when you are prone.
Now that umbilical hernia I had tore open again about 6 months later. So that mesh is not bullet proof. I was lifting smart too. I believe that the umiblical hernias are more difficult to patch up because my inguinal hernias have held. Needless to say, I am not going to try and have them fix the umbilical hernia again. Its not very large, I will just live with it like I did for the previous 18 years.

Neanderthal · May 3, 2008

I had the same kind of hernia

where the intestines went into the scrotum. I had no mesh put in the first time and three years later was going in to get another surgery. This time I went to a specialist and had the mesh put in. Fifteen years or so later I dont have any problems with it and I squat (or some similiar lift) for max once a week. I had some feelings in there at first but they went away.

Max55 · Sep 1, 2008

Well now I have what I think is an umbilical hernia. I don’t have any pain, unless I eat too much, but my “innie” is now an “outie. Plus I’m getting some stomach distention. Does that sound like an umbilical hernia? I haven’t been to the doctor yet. What type of doctor do you go to? Or should I just go to my general doc and have him refer me to someone?

Thanks,
Max

oldfella · Sep 1, 2008

Max55 said:
Well now I have what I think is an umbilical hernia. I don’t have any pain, unless I eat too much, but my “innie” is now an “outie. Plus I’m getting some stomach distention. Does that sound like an umbilical hernia? I haven’t been to the doctor yet. What type of doctor do you go to? Or should I just go to my general doc and have him refer me to someone?

Thanks,
Max

Just go to your GP and let him have a look. If it is a hernia they will refer you to a surgeon.

Blenderate · Sep 2, 2008

maldorf · Sep 3, 2008

Blenderate said:
I had an inguinal hernia repaired with mesh back in 1997, just above my sack. This was before I ever started lifting with any kind of regularity or focus. Since then, I have occasionally gotten a little twinge in the area, but it always goes away. And I've deadlifted 640, squatted 600 deep since then without requiring any further medical attention.

My inguinal hernias held up great too with the mesh. My abdominal hernia, also mended with mesh, was another story. It tore open again less than 1 year later, although it is smaller than originally. From what ive read, the umbilical hernias seem to not hold up so good. I havent seen too many reports of the inguinal hernias with mesh blowing out. Got an uncle that blew his out, but it wasnt done with mesh.