Hi all, in 2015 I had an open inguinal hernia repair surgery with a mesh implant. I have decided to share how it all went on, since hernias are very common and a lot of people may have questions about it.
How I got the hernia
So, I got it on 2005, I still remember that day. Me and my friends decided to go to a nice Village style tavern outside the city to have a large meal and to try out their beer from their own brewery. We ate and drank a lot, it was a fun night (We were not drunk). Near the tavern they have a massive playground for adults where you can just go nuts. Look it up if you want http://www.hbh.lt/en/.
Anyway, there was a carousel where you had to use hands to hold on, hard to explain, but the point was that I was holding up my entire weight with my arms and I did it while jumping, instantly putting pressure on my body. I felt sharp pain i the groin area and collapsed. My friends had to take me home. By the time we reached the city I already felt better, so decided not to check it out.
A few months down the line I was in the gym, working out – and I started feeling this sharp pain again. This got me worried, since the memory of the initial trauma was still fresh. I have decided to go to the doctor to check it out. The doctor looked at my abdomen, touch it, I had to cough – nothing, they did not feel anything wrong with me, so they have decided that I have pulled a muscle and advised me to stay away from the gym for a while – “to be safe”. I did not resist. That was the time when I quit the gym and started gaining weight.
I feel it again
This brings us to 2015. I have re-joined the gym, started working out regularly – and I have got the pain feeling again. This time I decided to insist on a more detailed approach. I went to GP, insisted on an ultra scan. Immediately the ultra sound technician confirmed that I have an inguinal hernia on the right side of the body. I have subsequently received a letter from GP recommending local hospitals where the surgery can be performed. And yes, for those of you who do not know – surgery is the only answer. The danger with leaving hernias as they are is that they can become trapped and that could have lethal consequences. So if you think you have one – speak to your doctor immediately.
After receiving the letter I have been reminded that I have a private health insurance from work, so I have decided to give those guys a call (I have AXA PPP insurance). They have been very helpful with my claim, explained that I need to get an open referral letter from my GP, instead of using the referral received in the post. So I have arranged a GP appointment, got a new letter, called insurance company again. Axa have given me a choice of either giving me a choice of hospitals or just booking one themselves. I was lazy, so I asked them to do it for me, which they did. After they have arranged an appointment with the surgeon (or to be correct – “consultant”) they have sent through all of the details to me.
On a day of appointment I have arrived at the hospital of their choosing (which was BMI London Independent Hospital), went in to speak to the surgeon (nice guy, very professional and reassuring). He told me that because I am not a small guy – ok, because I am rather chubby I would need to have an open inguinal hernia repaid surgery instead of a laparoscopic approach. We have discussed the operation, risks, all of the questions that I had, and we have set a date.
