Months of pain. Countless appointments. Answers that never quite add up. If you have been living with persistent groin, abdominal, or pelvic pain after a hernia repair, you know how exhausting that cycle can be. The pain is real, and finding a surgeon who will truly listen, investigate every possibility, and build a plan around your specific situation can feel impossible.
Peers regard Dr. Brian Jacob, MD, FACS, at NYC Hernia as one of the top surgeons in the United States for diagnosing and treating chronic pain in the groin and pelvis, including pain following hernia repairs and sports injuries. With a concierge-level approach and unmatched expertise in hernia mesh removal and chronic pain treatment, Dr. Jacob is the surgeon patients across the country seek out when no one else has given them answers.
Understanding Chronic Pain After Hernia Repair
Is Hernia Mesh the Cause of Your Pain?
Many patients ask this question, and the honest answer is: sometimes, but not always. The overwhelming majority of mesh, tack, and suture implants used in hernia repairs do not cause harm. However, in some cases, these implants may contribute to pain, and removal may be necessary.
One of the most important details to establish is whether you had any pain before your hernia operation. Pain that patients attribute to their repair may have been present before surgery. Identifying when the pain started and how it has changed over time is critical information. Even after mesh, tacks, or sutures are removed, pain may persist, worsen, or spread, and the hernia may return. Mesh removal is not a guaranteed cure for all chronic pain, which is why accurate diagnosis comes first.
The Six Groin Nerves and Why They Matter
An experienced surgeon identifies and protects six nerves in the groin during hernia repair. Irritation or injury to any of these nerves can result in pain, hypersensitivity, or weakness in the groin, thigh, scrotum, labia, or leg. These include the lateral femoral cutaneous nerve, the genitofemoral nerve, the femoral nerve, the iliohypogastric nerve, the ilioinguinal nerve, and the paravasal nerve fibers. Dr. Jacob’s deep familiarity with groin anatomy allows him to carefully evaluate which nerves may be involved in your pain and tailor a treatment plan accordingly.
Your Initial Consultation with Dr. Jacob
Dr. Jacob will devote most of your first visit to listening. He will work through the full history of your pain, including when it started, how it has changed, what makes it better or worse, and what treatments you have already tried. This is not insurance-based care. It is a concierge-level experience built around truly understanding your story.
Following a detailed, pain-focused examination, you will likely be referred for imaging such as a sonogram, CT scan, or MRI. Once that imaging is complete, Dr. Jacob will meet with you again to present a clear, definitive plan.
Chronic Pain Treatment Options
Treatment is never one-size-fits-all. Depending on your diagnosis, Dr. Jacob may recommend surgical or non-surgical approaches, or a combination of both.
Surgical options may include:
- Hernia mesh removal
- Suture and surgical tack removal
- Recurrent hernia repairs
- Removal of lipoma
- Spermatic cord adhesiolysis
- Neurectomy (removal of nerves)
Non-surgical options may include:
- Physical therapy
- Oral medications such as anti-inflammatories or other pain-reducing medicines
- Local office-based trigger point injections
- Referral to a pain management specialist
- Referral to a mental health or alternative healing specialist
- Consultation with another surgical specialist
Regardless of the diagnosis, you will leave with a confident, clearly defined plan.
Why Choose NYC Hernia for Hernia Mesh Removal and Chronic Pain Treatment in New York, NY?
Chronic pain after hernia surgery requires a surgeon with both the diagnostic depth to identify the true cause and the surgical skill to address it. Dr. Brian Jacob has devoted most of his career to this. As a Professor of Surgery at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai and founder of the International Hernia Collaboration, which oversees the surgical education of over 15,000 hernia surgeons worldwide, Dr. Jacob brings a level of expertise that is genuinely rare.
He has been named a Top Doctor in New York Magazine every year from 2012 to 2026 and has been recognized by The New York Times Magazine as one of the best hernia surgeons in New York City for 14 consecutive years. He is also the co-editor of the SAGES Manual on Groin Pain, the only single resource covering the full spectrum of groin pain, reflecting the depth of knowledge he brings. This publication consultation.
Get Real Answers for Your Chronic Pain in New York City
If persistent groin, abdominal, or pelvic pain has been controlling your life, a thorough evaluation with Dr. Jacob may be the clarity you have been looking for. With a precise diagnostic process, a full range of surgical and non-surgical treatment options, and a genuinely individualized approach, NYC Hernia offers a level of care that is difficult to find anywhere else.
To schedule your consultation with Dr. Brian Jacob, call 212-879-6677 or book online (opens in new tab).
