Hernia - your experiences?
Discussion
I have a hernia and the GP says the other side is 'weak'. He says it's not possible to get it repaired on the NHS unless it's causing pain or serious discomfort - which TBH it's not, yet.
Clearly it's not going to go away on it's own and it's only going to get worse. I'm conscious of it all the time and am being overly cautious and get concerned at the slightest exertion.
I don't have private health insurance so it looks like my only option is to stump up for it myself. Any ideas of where to start or how to go about this please?
Clearly it's not going to go away on it's own and it's only going to get worse. I'm conscious of it all the time and am being overly cautious and get concerned at the slightest exertion.
I don't have private health insurance so it looks like my only option is to stump up for it myself. Any ideas of where to start or how to go about this please?
The_Doc said:
We are talking about hernia, but there are hernias and there are hernias.
The lay term means Inguinal Hernia, but you can have incisional hernias, femoral hernias, herniation of the pons, hiatus hernias etc etc. The amount of damage to the usually intact restraining barrier predicts how big a job it is to repair. In the case of Inguinal hernias it is a mistake in evolution that has given us all a pair of weak points in the anterior abdominal wall where protrusion can occur.
As a child I had an orchidopexy on the same side as the hernia - GP suggested this is likely connected.The lay term means Inguinal Hernia, but you can have incisional hernias, femoral hernias, herniation of the pons, hiatus hernias etc etc. The amount of damage to the usually intact restraining barrier predicts how big a job it is to repair. In the case of Inguinal hernias it is a mistake in evolution that has given us all a pair of weak points in the anterior abdominal wall where protrusion can occur.
My GP dictated the letter requesting a referral in my presence 29 March, after original diagnosis 27 February.
Just called to chase and the letter was typed and sent 13 April - last Friday. f
king useless tts.It's now a two week (average) wait for funding approval from PCT before they forward to the hospital.
Is anyone familiar with The British Hernia Centre?
The website is a bit cack, but their sales blurb is interesting - skip down to Preferred Method.
The only 'recommendation' I have is a colleague's husband who went there but was a little disappointed with the outcome. Just my luck.
The website is a bit cack, but their sales blurb is interesting - skip down to Preferred Method.
The only 'recommendation' I have is a colleague's husband who went there but was a little disappointed with the outcome. Just my luck.
Righto. Booked in with Mr David Clayton Britton at BMI Bath for 22 June.
Had a nice, long chat with him and liked his demeanour and candour. He's been stabbing and cutting people since the mid-sixties so he ought to have a fair idea of how it all works now. He explained the options and how he would proceed, reassuring me all the while. I appreciate he's as much a salesman as anyone else in this position but he made a good pitch.
All in all, very happy with the process so far, despite my initial misgivings. So long as I survive the op and enjoy a good outcome I'll be back to sing NHS praises from on high.
Had a nice, long chat with him and liked his demeanour and candour. He's been stabbing and cutting people since the mid-sixties so he ought to have a fair idea of how it all works now. He explained the options and how he would proceed, reassuring me all the while. I appreciate he's as much a salesman as anyone else in this position but he made a good pitch.
All in all, very happy with the process so far, despite my initial misgivings. So long as I survive the op and enjoy a good outcome I'll be back to sing NHS praises from on high.
Righto.
Had op three hours ago, waiting for lift home. Clearly too soon to say all is dandy, just yet, but feels jet fine at moment. Clearly, still under influence of drugs although anaesthesia seems to have cleared nicely. Famous last words - I'll probably pass out now on my way to the car park.
So far, painless but I suspect that won't last for long. Once the drugs wear off I expect the paracetamol and tramadol may come into their own.
Will update if I survive the night - not much else I can do for now.
Had op three hours ago, waiting for lift home. Clearly too soon to say all is dandy, just yet, but feels jet fine at moment. Clearly, still under influence of drugs although anaesthesia seems to have cleared nicely. Famous last words - I'll probably pass out now on my way to the car park.
So far, painless but I suspect that won't last for long. Once the drugs wear off I expect the paracetamol and tramadol may come into their own.
Will update if I survive the night - not much else I can do for now.
I've felt fine and went for short walk this morning.
Clinic called as they do every day, and decided I should have ECG because of my responses to their questions. All checked out okay but bloods have come back positive for clotting so have to pop back for jab or something.
They don't sound worried so I'm trying not to be.
Pain has been negligible and movement free And easy though.
Clinic called as they do every day, and decided I should have ECG because of my responses to their questions. All checked out okay but bloods have come back positive for clotting so have to pop back for jab or something.
They don't sound worried so I'm trying not to be.
Pain has been negligible and movement free And easy though.
Stopped the paracetamol yesterday and all fine. I've been walking every day and up to 5kms yesterday.
Will go to gym today and maybe treadmill or stationary bike for a while. May even attempt some light weights as I feel fine. Definitely not up to deads or squats though as still a little tender. No point in rushing it.
Will go to gym today and maybe treadmill or stationary bike for a while. May even attempt some light weights as I feel fine. Definitely not up to deads or squats though as still a little tender. No point in rushing it.
dandarez said:
I even asked for a sample of the 'mesh' used and they gave me it in a little bag! Still have it as a memento!
Mine is to be a 'stitchless' Progrip mesh (whatever that means).
KAgantua said:
Lay it on thick, i had the same thing, they will never operate until you are hospitalized with it. Your tax at work.
This time it's courtesy of Aviva so no dilly-dallying. Update.
Right side done yesterday evening, this time keyhole.
Arrived 16.00, to theatre 18.00, came around about 19.30 and transferred to overnight room 20.30.
Paracetamol every six hours doing the trick so far, but only 12 hours post surgery. 😊
Going home 10.00, brother to pick me up.
Can’t wait to see the dogs, but a little concerned they’ll jump all over me! 😂🐾
Right side done yesterday evening, this time keyhole.
Arrived 16.00, to theatre 18.00, came around about 19.30 and transferred to overnight room 20.30.
Paracetamol every six hours doing the trick so far, but only 12 hours post surgery. 😊
Going home 10.00, brother to pick me up.
Can’t wait to see the dogs, but a little concerned they’ll jump all over me! 😂🐾
Bazsm said:
I’m only just looking into this, surely the surgeon decides?
This is true, but you get to chose the surgeon. My left repair was an open procedure June 2012. It was a day procedure, in first thing and home by teatime. A bit hurty for a few days, and back to work about ten days later (it fell nicely as op was on Friday, took the following week off and back in on Monday).
Recent right side was keyhole, this time overnight as the procedure was 18.00 on Monday. Home by lunchtime next day. Again, smarted a bit for a couple of days, but nothing major; less pain than previous. Back to work following Monday so a few days less than previously.
Either way, it's not too bad.
I'd recommend getting both sides done at the same time; I've been told since that if one side goes, it's pretty much inevitable the other will at some point so kill two birds with one stone.
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