Greg,
After reading Mike in Va's post op post, I realized he had an inguinal hernia also which had gotten much bigger than mine. I didn't thing the ab pain would be so bad coming from the hernia. It felt, and I thought it was the abs coming off the bone. It hurts almost all the time. I actually do a mind over matter exercise that helps me a lot. If I keep my mind off the pain and focus on other things, the pain is not as bad. If I lose focus, then the pain is more pronounced. Of course there are things that happen during the day that cause more pain. But I try not to concentrate on them.
And remember, Dr. UM said I also have a sports hernia on the right which is pressing on the nerve. So I'm not sure where exactly the pain is coming from in my lower abs.
Dr. UM didn't come out and say what I had. She simply said I had a hernia on the left. I had to ask what kind it was. I asked if I had an inguinal hernia and she said yes, but a sports hernia too on the right.
Have you checked out the hernia center in Las Vegas? Does anyone know about it? They too recommend surgical repair and rarely mesh. Here is their website.
http://www.noinsurancesurgery.com/Hernia/hernia%20symptoms.htm
Let me know what you think.
Mike in Denver