169. HerniaTalk LIVE Q&A: Finally Some Research about Females and Hernias

Welcome to HerniaTalk LIVE, a Q&A hosted by Dr. Shirin Towfigh, hernia and laparoscopic surgery specialist who practices at the Beverly Hills Hernia Center. This is the only Q&A of its kind, aimed at educating and empowering patients about all things related to hernias and hernia-related complications. For a personal consultation with Dr. Towfigh: [phone], [e-mail].
This week, the topic of discussion was:
-Research
-NIH grant
-Hernias
-Females and Hernias
-Femoral Hernia
-EHS Guidelines
-Watchful Waiting
-Chronic Pelvic Pain
-Pregnancy
-Mesh
-Laparoscopic Surgery
-Open Surgery
Our Guest Panelist is Dr. Anne Ehlers, surgeon at University of Michigan.
If you find this content informative, please LIKE, SHARE, and SUBSCRIBE to the HerniaTalk Live channel and visit us on www.HerniaTalk.com.

[@deborahm2226]

I had a hernisl surgery and have abdominal mesh. 6x6 have pain 5 months out -where can I send info for study? Ty

[@herniadoc]

what study?

[@hannahogle3464]

I am almost positive I have a hernia and a doctor who says she specializes in female hernias and groin pain in females thought I probably do too. This was last January (2023). She did not do any imaging and decided to go with watchful waiting. Now I’m very anxious since I don’t know if it’s inguinal or femoral and the pain has been increasing for the past month. I have an appointment with the same doctor in a couple of weeks, but now I have bad anxiety about strangulation/incarceration. In your opinion, should I see a different doctor since she didn’t even bother to check if it was inguinal vs femoral? I just want a doctor I can trust to do this surgery well. Thank you so much in advance and for this video.

[@herniadoc]

always seek a second opinion.

[@millerift]

Hi there. I wanted to ask if this is ok? I watched your episode on all hernia complications. Thank
You for so much knowledge. I’m 46 and at the age of 10 had an open inguinal hernia surgery. My records state good scar. Hernia repair. Hand written only.
I live in the uk so have no idea what was carried out and if mesh was used! I’ve been symptomatic and was admitted to A&E several times had an endoscopy and cystoscopy as they can’t see anything hernia related. CT also said clear. I have tightness - pulls and dragging in the groin and over the initial scar position and surrounding it. i can’t stretch fully breathe in or exercise. It hurts to urinate and go to the toilet - there’s pressure build up with difficulty passing wind & I get full fast. It’s accompanied with intense leg pain with a thigh prickling. Numbness that goes in a cycle / cold foot and extreme pain that is intolerable. I don’t get sleep due to burning over the areas & unable to lay on either side. I’m due an ultrasound in groin on 29th. I’m not being taken seriously. This is the 6th month which concerns me. It could be adhesions scar tissue which could be addressed however I know my body is struggling to cope and I’m scared. The accident gastric and surgical team ignore the fact I had surgery & focusing on the gallbladder - whilst I’m finding this so difficult as don’t have a partner or parent as an advocate - any advice on what steps I should take and who I speak to as I don’t have private health care or savings so I’m extremely miserable despite my efforts to look after myself. Thank you so so much in advance. Laura.

[@herniadoc]

if you have pain where your hernia was repaired in the past, you may have a hernia recurrence. seek care by a hernia specialist.

[@elvadrum4965]

Finally information for women. My hernias are incisional years after a hysterectomy.

[@herniadoc]

yes!

[@JulesZanetti]

Hi there, what a great Q and A regarding hernias and woman. Thank you.
I'm a 47 year old mother of 7 (18 to 30 years old) and for the last 14 years I have suffered from several abdominal hernias. I have suffered these while at a healthy weight 63kg (~139lb) and at morbidly obese 125kg (~275lb) - my current weight.
I'm currently seeing a professor for my surgical repair in Perth Australia, having bariatric surgery in preparation for the hernia repair 12 months later.
I currently have multiple hernias, ranging from 2 very large Spigelian hernias on my right 8cm x 14cm and 5cm x 12cm), and 2 smaller Spigelian hernias on my left above the umbilicus (4cm x4cm), a good sized ventral/incisional hernia above the umbilicus 3cm x 6cm - which is not a surgical site, and 2 inguinal hernias - bilateral - 1 previously repaired in 2012, from recollection.
I'm now told after discovering the largest Spigelian hernias on my right side, in October 2022, that I will need to undergo a full abdominal reconstruction in open surgery - fully covering my abdomen (breast to pelvis and hip to hip).
Are there autoimmune or connective tissue disorders that can cause such a large number of hernias in the RUQ, LUQ, RLQ and LLQ?
Is it common for women to suffer so many abdominal hernias at one time?
How dangerous are these hernias for bowel incarceration or entrapment?
I also suffer from other herniations such as bladder and rectocele prolapse, and hiatus hernia.
I have read so many conflicting medical reports about the risks and cannot find information on people suffering so many hernias at 1 time. Do youhave any informationthat may help educate me on this please?

[@stumpynubs5387]

Great information. Thx for sharing😁