My Hernia Nightmare My Hernia Nightmare

12 Dec 2023

Initial Consultation

I visited Kuang Tien Hospital in Taichung for the first time regarding my hernia, a hospital familiar to my family as my son was born there. I consulted with Dr. Yang Yao Kun, who diagnosed me with a hernia. He assured me that the condition was treatable.

When asked about the pain associated with the hernia, I replied that prolonged sitting can cause a feeling of pressure in my groin. While it's not painful, it's akin to a constant poking sensation. To illustrate, I demonstrated by poking my arm and explained that the feeling is similar.

The doctor presented two surgical options: laparoscopic and traditional. After my wife asked which method the doctor would recommend, the doctor described only a minor difference of pushing the hernia back in with traditional surgery as opposed to pulling with laparoscopic. It later became clear they had significant differences.  The doctor explained that laparoscopic surgery always requires a mesh, which could potentially put pressure on the spermatic tube and affect fertility. I immediately responded that I was not comfortable with that and expressed my aversion to mesh due to potential discomfort. The doctor offered a traditional surgery without mesh. Given my risk-averse nature and the doctor's assurance of a non-mesh procedure, I chose the traditional surgery, even though it had a longer recovery time compared to laparoscopic surgery.

Surgery was scheduled for the following Monday. Unaware that the consent form lacked a stipulation for non-mesh surgery, my wife signed it. My expectation was a swift recovery allowing me to celebrate Christmas with my family.
Kuang Tien General Hospital
Kuang Tien General Hospital
Yang Yao Kun
Yang Yao Kun


Thoughts
Had I been fully informed about the potential risks and the possibility of requiring mesh even with the initial agreement not to use it, I might have made different decisions. Perhaps I would have declined surgery altogether or opted for the laparoscopic approach. The discomfort before surgery was minimal, making the decision even more perplexing.
Continue

17 Dec 2023

The Operation

26 Dec 2023

1st Follow Up + Ultrasound

2 Jan 2024

2nd Follow Up

9 Jan 2024

Final Follow Up

Feb 2024

Recovery Period

19 Mar 2024

Cancelled Appointment

29 Mar 2024

Asking For Help

30 Mar 2024

The Phone Call

Apr 2024

Mental Health

2 Apr 2024

2nd Ultrasound Scan

5 Apr 2024

Urologist Appointment

12 Apr 2024

A New Problem

18 Apr 2024

Second Opinion

26 Apr 2024

Return to Urologist

May 2024

Depression

8 May 2024

Third Opinion

9 May 2024

Testosterone Test Results

12 May 2024

Tramadol

14 May 2024

3rd Ultrasound Scan

15 May 2024

Change of Doctor

16 May 2024

Cancelled Update Appointment

17 May 2024

Letter Of Complaint

21 May 2024

My Life Changes Told To Dr. Yang Yao Kun

22 May 2024

Return To New Urologist

23 May 2024

2nd Phone Call From Doctor

24 May 2024

Return to Kuang Tien Hospital Urologist

27 May 2024

Text Message From Hospital About Meeting

29 May 2024

Final Visit to New Urologist

31 May 2024

Hospital Meeting

28 Jun 2024

Return to Urologist after Meeting

15 Jul 2024

Letter to Dr. Yang Yao Kun

8 Aug 2024

Psychiatrist Appointment

9 Aug 2024

Return to Urologist Again

4 Oct 2024

Return to Urologist for Ultrasound

Nov 2024

Final Thoughts

24 Nov 2024

How My Health Is Impacting My Son: Another Letter to the Doctor

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