Hernia repair

I had pain in my groin and found a bulge. I suspected a hernia, so I went to visit my female pcp for an exam. I was curious how she was going to proceed, as she had mentioned on a previous visit that she was glad I had a urologist. Turns out she must have a disdain for the prostate exam but not for a problem that requires a genital exam. She cheerfully told me to let her check the area, which was her way of telling me to drop my pants. I pulled my jeans down above my knees and then pulled the corner of my underwear down while keeping my genitals covered. The bulge was above my penis, so I didn't see the need to embarrass her by exposing my genitals. In hindsight though I believe she wouldn't have had a problem if I would have just let it all hang out. Maybe on the follow up visit I'll give her a better view. She confirmed my suspicion and gave me a referral to a surgeon.

I'm curious about the experiences of other male members who have had a hernia repair.

1. How thorough will the surgeon's exam be when I go for a consult

2. Did you have open or laparoscopic surgery

3. What kind of anesthesia did you have? I am concerned because I have a high calcium score

I’ve had 8 hernia repairs , three open surgery, 5 laparoscopic.

When I noticed the bulging in my groin I told the Doc it felt squishy, he agreed and I was scheduled for surgery (bilateral inguinal hernias). Later a few years again felt squishy was again scheduled for surgery laparoscopic this time bilateral inguinal and appendix hernia so 3 this time.

A few more years them had an umbicial hernia that got strangulated, had to drive 600 miles to get home and to my Doctor and surgeon I trusted. Don’t have a navel any more as had to be surgically removed, so a smooth belly.

I had an inguinal hernia repair on my left side. Laparoscopic under general anesthesia. My PCP (female) and surgeon (male) both did a thorough manual exam including pushing a finger well up into the area where the testicles descended from in order to check the area prior to surgery.

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I’ve had 8 hernia repairs , three open surgery, 5 laparoscopic.

Wow! @Hiddenuser You must hold the Guinness record for the number of hernia repairs at eight!

@Russianbare These days your hernia repair will be or should be done laparoscopically. I have had both an inguinal hernia repaired and an umbilical hernia repaired, the former was done long ago, old style, and the latter was just last year laparoscopically. I will provide details on both types of surgery.

In 1980, I had an inguinal hernia repair on the right side. At the initial exam, the surgeon checked all around the area from my peritoneum to my belly so my penis was fully exposed, but he did not inspect it directly although he did say he was impressed that it reached my knees. No, wait. He did not comment on my penis. When I stood up, there was a bulge about three inches up and to the right of the base of my penis. When lying down, the bulge slipped back inside.

Just prior to "open" surgery, a nurse shaved me from my naval to my knees with shaving cream and a razor. Then the anesthesiologist gave me a spinal block so I would not feel anything from my midsection to my toes.

During the surgery, the anesthesiologist gave me IV sedation so I would not be awake during the surgery. The surgeon filleted my like a salmon slicing me open from my toenails to my tonsils so he could fit both fat fists through the incision plus a petite nurse. Okay, so the cut was about five inches long (12.7 cm long).

I woke up during the surgery because I was only under conscious sedation. The anesthesiologist was watching the surgery and when he noticed me starting to stir, he came over to inject in the IV line some more Fentanyl for pain and Versed for the amnesia effect (or something similar--Fentanyl and Versed are what they use these days). Before he got the syringe up to the IV intake valve, I asked if I could just stay awake as long as I didn't disturb the surgery. He said, "Sure" and even gave me a hand mirror so I could hold it up to look over the drape, but I couldn't see much because the surgeon and the assistants had their hands blocking most of it. I was going to tell them to get out of the way so I could see, but I was pretty sure if I did, they would put me out again... and keep me out. So, the anesthesiologist fished out a Kodak Instamatic Camera out of closet or a dufflebag and took a photo up close so I could the blood and guts of the actual operation. The guy was pretty awesome. I was in the hospital for four days flying high on regular injections of Demerol.

Last year, 2025, I had an umbilical hernia repair. Hernia repairs are very different these days. Much easier for everyone involved. It was outpatient so the surgery was in the morning and I was home that afternoon taking Tylenol and ibuprofen for mild pain by the second day. The surgeon made a couple of small cuts in the skin so he could slip in a couple of instruments plus the camera to see what he was doing. He used robotic arms which steadied his movements. With the robotics, he could do the surgery remotely to anywhere in the world that had the robotic technology in the operating room.

Good luck. I'm sure it will go well.

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