Would inguinal hernia affect SRS?

[glaze]

Apparently I was ignorant enough not to have realized I have inguinal hernia. Actually had for almost two years. There was always this pain in my right pubic region whenever I coughed or lifted heavy stuff. I never gave it a second thought always thinking it will go away, assumed it occurred only because I over exerted myself. My father, older brother, and sister all had hernia. I hear sister's was mild and went away, brother had surgery. Father much more recently, which got me thinking. All the tell tale signs are inguinal hernia are there for me, quite obviously in fact. I want to get it checked out and fixed, but I worry that anything they do might negatively affect my SRS when the time comes.

Would having the inguinal hernia (of two years) repaired in any way affect future SRS? could any of you post-op girls confirm that with your surgeons?

I want to get the hernia repaired, but I'm afraid to get it sorted out. However, the more I delay the bigger and woser the inguinal hernia will become. >.<

[Dinky_Di]

Probably something to discuss with the surgeon, however, I had surgery to repair an inguinal hernia a number of years ago and it in no way affected my SRS surgery.

[glaze]

That's really good to know, thanks~ 

I wonder if any SRS surgeons out there would respond to an email? Worth a try I guess, any assurance is better than none. Now, I've to go compile a list of nice surgeons!

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Just for others that might find it helpful...

Dr. Meltzer's confirmation:

I am not a Dr..  but I do know that patients who have an abdominoplasty have to wait at least 3 months before they can have a vaginoplasty,   you may have it laproscopic or with mesh,  I would allow myself ample healing time between surgeries, but most hernia operations would not interfere with a vaginoplasty .. I do know that it would be a wait of at least 3 months between them, Let me know if you need any additional information regarding this. Michelle.

I am one of Dr Meltzer's nurses.  Michelle forwarded your email to me.  It has not been a problem in the past with patients who have had inguinal hernia repairs to proceed with vaginoplasty.  I will, however, check with Dr Meltzer on timing and the mesh, and get back to you. Regards, Lindsay

Dr Meltzer said the mesh will not pose a problem for future SRS surgery, and that you would be able to proceed with SRS 6 weeks after the hernia repair.

I hope this is helpful.  Please let me know if you have any further questions. Regards, Lindsay.

[glaze]

One more reassuring update for those unfortunate enough to have hernia in our transition.

Dr. Leis confirmation:

You can have your inguinal hernia repaired and it should not interfere with future SRS surgery.  It's probably better to get it done sooner than later because it can only get worse with time and then will require a larger procedure to have it fixed.

On a number of occasions when I am doing SRS, I have discovered inguinal hernias during a procedure.  Because I am fully-trained and board certified in general surgery and repaired many hernias in the past, I usually just fix the hernia at the same time as the SRS.  If you are going to have your SRS in the near future (in less than a year) I would suggest that you have the hernia repaired at the same time that we do the SRS.  If you are not going to have SRS for a year or longer then it would be better to get your hernia repaired soon.  Also, if you are having increasing levels of discomfort if the hernia doesn't disappear when you lie down (a reducible hernia), then you should see a general surgeon and get it fixed in the very near future.  The hernia surgery should not in any way effect future SRS.

Best wishes,
Dr. Sherman Leis