What to Do After Hernia Mesh Removal: A Guide to Next Steps

Hernia mesh surgery is a common treatment for hernias. For some patients, complications arise that necessitate the removal of the mesh.

Whether due to mesh infection or mesh failure, the removal of hernia mesh is a significant event. It can leave patients unsure of what to do next. If you’ve recently had hernia mesh removed, it’s crucial to take the right steps to ensure proper recovery. And, you should seek legal assistance.

Here’s some information regarding what you could do after having the mesh removed and how KBA Attorneys can help you pursue legal options.

Step 1: Focus on Your Recovery

Your health should be your top priority after hernia mesh removal. Recovery from hernia mesh revision or hernia mesh removal surgery can take time. You may want to follow your surgeon’s instructions closely to ensure the best possible outcome. Here are a few additional things to keep in mind during your recovery.

Rest and allow time for healing: Hernia mesh removal surgery can be complex, especially if there was significant scar tissue or complications like infection. Your body needs time to heal, so rest and avoid strenuous activities, especially heavy lifting, during the initial recovery period.

Monitor for signs of infection: Infection is a reason for device removal. There is something called meshoma.  Infection is not just a cause, but also a consequence of having hernia mesh removed. Keep an eye on your incision site for redness, swelling, or discharge. If you notice any signs of infection or fever, contact your healthcare provider immediately.

Attend follow-up appointments: Post-surgical follow-ups can be crucial to monitor your healing progress. Your doctor will want to ensure that your hernia repair is holding up without the mesh and that no new complications are arising.

Pain management: Some patients may experience lingering pain after device removal. Talk to your doctor about pain management options, whether through medication, physical therapy, or alternative treatments. Chronic pain is one of the most common complaints after hernia mesh surgeries, so it’s essential to stay proactive in addressing it. Be careful with pain medication. Some get addicted. Some end up on a path leading to tooth loss via products like Suboxone. 

Step 2: Review Your Hernia Mesh Medical Records

Once you’re on the path to recovery, the next important step is to review your medical records. These documents are critical if you believe that the hernia mesh caused complications that led to your hernia mesh removal. You’ll want to gather:

Surgical reports: These include the details of your original hernia mesh implantation and the hernia mesh removal surgery. They provide insight into what type of hernia mesh was used, where it was placed, and what complications were noted during the removal process.

Doctor’s notes: Detailed notes from your healthcare provider can give you a clearer picture of what went wrong. They can also be helpful in understanding any infections, allergic reactions, or issues with the mesh material itself.

Medical tests and imaging: If you had tests such as CT scans, X-rays, or MRIs, these records can demonstrate how the mesh impacted your body and the severity of the complications.

Step 3: Understand the Hernia Mesh Complications You Experienced

Not all hernia mesh complications are the same. Understanding what went wrong in your case is key to determining your next steps. Common complications from hernia mesh include:

Infection: One of the causes of device removal, infections can occur when bacteria attach to the mesh, making it difficult to treat with antibiotics alone. Doctors coined a specific indication for some mesh related infections, Meshoma.

Chronic pain: Some patients experience ongoing pain at the mesh site. Hernia mesh pain can be debilitating. In some cases, the mesh may have adhered to nerves or organs, causing severe discomfort.

Mesh migration or erosion: In some cases, the mesh moved from its original position, leading to complications such as bowel obstruction or organ damage.

Hernia recurrence: Device failure can lead to a recurrence of the hernia, requiring additional surgery, hernia mesh revision or hernia mesh removal surgery. 

Once you have a clearer understanding of the complications you faced, it’s time to consider whether legal action is necessary.

Step 4: Seek Legal Assistance

If your doctor removed your hernia mesh because it failed or caused complications, you might be eligible for compensation. This would provide monetary damages for your medical expenses, pain and suffering, and other damages. Doctors link several hernia mesh products made by Bard, Covidien, Atrium, Ethicon, and Lifecell to severe complications. We hold these manufacturers accountable for producing faulty devices like the Bard hernia mesh, Strattice hernia mesh, and Covidien hernia mesh. 

KBA Attorneys handles cases involving defective medical devices, including hernia mesh and transvaginal mesh (TVM). We can help you determine if you have a valid claim and guide you through the legal process. Here’s how we can assist you:

Free consultation: KBA Attorneys offers a free initial consultation to discuss your potential mesh case. Our attorneys are litigating hernia mesh lawsuits. We provide current hernia mesh lawsuit updates. Our lawyers are leaders in this practice area, working with preeminent medical experts, trying cases, and fighting in court.

We will review your medical records and help you understand whether you have a case against the mesh manufacturers like Atrium, Bard, Covidien, and Lifecell. Other firms send their clients to KBA because we are the mesh attorney authority. 

Expert legal guidance: Navigating a medical device lawsuit can be complex. KBA Attorneys has extensive experience handling hernia mesh cases. From record review, to expert report development, to corporate depositions, motions practice and trial, KBA  has done it all. We provide the legal expertise you need. Our legal team comprised of attorneys, paralegals, and client service professionals will work with medical experts to prove that the mesh was defective or that Atrium, Bard, Covidien, or Lifecell failed to provide proper warnings about the hernia mesh risks.

Maximizing compensation: If your case is eligible – if you had a qualifying hernia mesh and hernia mesh revision or hernia mesh removal the mesh necessitated – KBA Attorneys will fight to ensure you receive the maximum compensation reasonably possible. This may cover medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and any future medical costs related to the complications.

Step 5: Act Now

It’s important to act now if you believe your hernia mesh removal was the result of a defective hernia mesh. Statutes of limitations and statues of repose may apply to these types of cases. These laws limit the amount of time you have to file a claim. The longer you wait, the greater the risk. Act now to ensure better chances of securing compensation for the harm you’ve endured.

Transvaginal Mesh (TVM)

Have you had Transvaginal Mesh removed? The steps to take after TVM removal are the same to those for hernia mesh removal, as both involve addressing complications caused by similar defective medical devices. KBA Attorneys is taking both hernia mesh and TVM cases for those who are affected by their defect.

Conclusion

If you’ve had hernia mesh removed due to complications, it’s essential to focus on your recovery while also considering your legal options. KBA Attorneys is here to help you navigate the legal process and hold the manufacturers of the Bard mesh, Covidien mesh, and Lifecell (Strattice) mesh accountable for defective hernia mesh products. Contact us for a free consultation and take the first step toward justice and recovery.