Hernia surgery at UNC Hernia center

Help, this is my first ever post, but I am a nervous wreck.  I had my gastric bypass in 2001---love it, but developed incisional hernia a few years later, had that fixed with very large piece of me**** is back and it is even bigger.  Instead of going to the same surgeon who fixed it first time I have made an appt with Dr. Hartwig Bunzendahl at the UNC Hernia Center.  Has anyone ever had their hernia fixed by him?  This will be my 2nd hernia repair and I do not want a 3rd--even if the 3rd time is a charm (lol).  Does anyone know anything about him good, bad or indifferent?  Thank you so much for your time.  Carol

Just had a basketball sized incisional hernia fixed by Dr. Picket from the duke group. It was fixed on jan 8. This is my 3rd repair. Hope it is the last. Can't help you with that surgen but if you have questions I would be glad to answer.
Myrtis

Hi, thanks for the post.  Actually for you to tell me that you just had your 3rd repair makes me even more worried.  I hope that you are doing well.  Since this will be my second and mine is the size of a football when I start my day and then as the day goes on it seems to grow!! In the evening it protrudes like I was 81/2 mos pregnant.  The bottom right side and the top left side seem to get constricted sometimes if I move the wrong way and then I feel like I am being torn in two.  I chose the UNC Hernia center because I have lost confidence in my local surgeon....long story...and I wanted to make sure it was fixed good and tight this time.  It will be a long drive for me and hopefully the surgeon will say he can fix me. My initial appt is 2/10.  Was  your 2nd repair for a hernia as large as your last one?  Did you use the same surgeon for all procedures?  Is there a permanent fix?  I tried soooo hard not to blow my repair---I even wore girdles under my bathing suits!! Talk about hot and a real pain when I had to go to the bathroom in a soaking wet bathing suit and girdle! And yet, here I am....sorry I guess I was rampling.  Thank you again,
Carol

I am contemplating WLS, possibly RNY.  I already have umbilical hernias and surgeon already told me mine would probably be open due to this and I would get a repair at the same time.  So are these incisional hernias common post op? Good luck on the repair!

 Hi Carol,

I hope this finds you well. Did you ever hear from any other patients regarding their experience with Dr. Bunzendahl? Also, could you please share how your experience was? My hubby is considering having his inguinal hernia repair surgery performed by this doc and I wanted to learn more about others' experiences.

Thanks and hope you're well!
Sonali

Hi Sonali,
Just checked this thread again and saw your question.  No I never heard from any other patients regarding Dr. Bunzendahl.  However, since my first post I have had my appointment with him and feel that I made the right choice in going to see him.  It takes me almost 4 hours to get to Chapel Hill, but I feel that he and Dr. Overby are well worth the drive.  Although I have not yet had my hernia repaired --- due to other problems having to be resolved first---all of which I am seeing Dr. Bunzendahl and Dr. Overby for, I have the utmost respect for them.  They have taken time with me and answered every question I have and those my husband has and seem to want me to get to where I need to be as much as I want to get there.  I honestly feel that I was led to them by the Good Lord above because I have no idea where I would be now without them. 

I hope that your husband has the same experience with Dr. B as I have. 
Carol