Anything to consider with hernia surgery before prostate radiation?

I also had an inguinal hernia a year after prostate surgery. I learned it is a common thing, as the laparoscopic surgery creates some weakness in the area. I think the surgeon just needs to be aware you've had it when you consult with him/her, and the options are of how he/she has to approach it. The prostate surgery creates some scar tissue that the surgeon has to work around.

Mine was the standard mesh procedure, also laparoscopic so another set of scars on the abdomen. I went home the same day. And you want to take stool softeners for a while so that you have no straining while healing.

I had my prostatectomy 20 years ago . Since then then I’ve had 6 hernias . 2 right and 2 left inguinal hernias . And 2 abdominal hernias. I attribute them to my prostate surgery. I would suggest that your husband have a mesh installed and follow all of the recovery instructions provided by your surgeon. I also was severely constipated from the pain medication after the surgery, so he might want to ask about that. Best to your husband, Steve.

Avoidance surgery here even though I have a great surgeon, going with SBRT now that I need treatment. Already had three hernia surgeries, appendectomy, laparoscopic gallbladder removal, and plication surgery for PD. My body doesn’t like Vicryl (dissolving) sutures either. Already have chronic groin pain, don’t need more of the same, thank you very much!

I am in the same situation. I am 80. I have a robotic prostate surgery in 2015. Now I have to have a hernia surgery. I thought about Laparoscopic surgery which is less invasive. But because I had a prior surgery and scars exist, it is recommended to have the traditional surgery. I already have an appointment with a general surgeon.

@amota
All inguinal hernias are not the same. They are small, moderate and large. When I first learned of my hernia it was “you have a hernia”. That is typically what everyone hears and the “need for surgery”. Most inguinal hernia’s absolutely need surgery if moderate and large. The concern for strangulation is real. You will never encounter a surgeon on a hernia consultation that will say watch and wait. I have had a small inguinal hernia now for 13 years. It was discovered as an incidental finding on a CT scan. It was my GP who said he had one for years and it was something I did not necessarily need to rush into surgery. All these years I am careful what I lift as I don’t want it go get bigger. He did say though like with all surgeries the older you get the surgeries get harder on your body if I decided to not pursue which I have. I at least tell everyone to learn the size if the hernia, then the urologist saying after your turn your head and cough, oh you have a hernia.

@amota
The one additional comment my GP did say though was a strangulated hernia us an emergency. So he never told me I could skip the surgery that was my idea.

@wheel1 I do appreciate your comment. At 80, I thought not to have the surgery and just to be vigilant. My hernia is big and during my last visit to my primary doctor, he was concerned about a strangulation and recommended a surgery.

@cath57, here's some information from Mayo Clinic that you might appreciate:

- Treatment options for inguinal hernia repair https://www.mayoclinichealthsystem.org/hometown-health/speaking-of-health/treatment-options-for-inguinal-hernia-repair

What type of hernia does your husband have? Have you decided to go ahead with surgery?

@colleenyoung Thank you Colleen for asking! We met the surgeon this week. She explained that roboter assisted surgery is available, but in my husband's situation - post-prostatectomy and potentially pre-radiation - , open surgery has some clear advantages. She also said that men's herniae are typically no urgent matter, in contrast to women's herniae. It seems not likely that something/the colon gets squeezed in between the hernia. She does see a hernia often after a prostatectomy. Interestingly she said that she tries to postpone the hernia surgery until at least a year after the ectomy. In her view that has been a major medical procedure that needs time to heal physically and mentally. This is a bit in contrast to my husband's other medical team's view who seem to think more like my husband should just go on with his life. We are in general pretty happy with his team, but it was soothing to listen to her today - yes, not everything is so easy yet. If the outcome of the scheduled MRT imaging allows it, we will meet the surgeon early next year.