General Surgery

Success Stories

After a Worldwide Search, Hernia Patient Finally Finds Help at the University of Maryland Hernia Center

Hubert Jacobs (far right) with his wife Glenda and their grandson Wesley

Hubert and Glenda Jacobs searched all over the world to find someone who would perform a difficult hernia surgery for him. But from London to Bangkok, they couldn’t find anyone who was willing to do the surgery — until they discovered Dr. Scott Roth, co-director of the University of Maryland Hernia Center.

“This is really a success story for Dr. Roth and the hospital,” said Glenda Jacobs, who, after a long search, finally found out about the University of Maryland through the hospital’s Web site.

She then used the Web site’s Ask the Expert feature to ask Dr. Roth if he could do the surgery that most other doctors had refused to do. He said yes. That’s when they ended their long search for a surgeon to repair Hubert’s hernia.

Troubled History

Hubert Jacobs had a troubled history with his hernia. In 2004 he underwent his first ventral hernia operation during which he also had an open colon resection. After one week the mesh broke and he had to have an emergency hernia repair. Both of these operations were performed in Miami, Florida.

After three weeks Jacobs developed a bad infection in the second mesh (which acts as a second wall), and he battled for six months with this infection to try to save the mesh and to avoid another operation. After six months another emergency surgery had to be performed to remove the infected mesh. As no mesh could be placed back in due to the infection, the hernia was not repaired and he still had separation of the abdominal wall.

Even after he recovered from the surgery, Jacobs still had many troubling symptoms from his hernia. He suffered from extreme constipation, and because there was no mesh to hold the hernia in place, his belly became distended. "I couldn’t bend down because of the size of my stomach. I couldn’t tie my shoes. My wife had to put on my socks and tie my shoes," Jacobs recalled. "My stomach was so big I could only wear sweatpants."

Most doctors told Jacobs to “Try to live with the hernia" but as Glenda said, “This is easier said than done. Some even told Hubert that he would be putting his life in danger to have another operation of this kind, especially since he is allergic to a lot of medications.”

In Grand Cayman, where the Jacobs’ live, Glenda said “there was no surgeon with the expertise to perform this kind of surgery and the two local hospitals were not equipped to handle such a procedure.”

Jacobs contacted the doctor in Miami whom performed his two previous mesh attempts, but the doctor told Hubert that he could not perform such an operation. Jacobs decided he still wanted to have the hernia repaired so after contacting their insurance company, he and his wife went to Holland, but didn’t feel comfortable with the repair the doctor wanted to do.

They traveled the globe to find help, visiting to doctors in London, Scotland, India, Bangkok, and Canada. But no one wanted to operate, or were very reluctant to because they said the surgery was too risky. Some warned Jacobs that he would be risking his life, some just refused, and others wouldn’t guarantee results.

Then, his wife Glenda searched the Internet. That’s when she found out about the University of Maryland Medical Center (UMMC). “I went to the Internet and found the University of Maryland and information on Dr. Scott Roth and Dr. Adrian Park. I wrote to Dr. Roth in Ask the Expert and he told me he could do the surgery.” The Jacobs’ went to see Dr. Roth in July 2006.

“Before I found Dr. Roth, it was the end of the tunnel, the end of the road. I wondered if I’d have to stay like this for the rest of my life. I couldn’t sleep, I had anxiety,” said Jacobs. “But when we met Dr. Roth everything changed. He was very enthusiastic and confident.”

Jacobs had his surgery -- an open hernia repair and abdominal wall component separation surgery -- on September 18, 2006.

Speedy Recovery and Good Results

After the surgery, Jacobs made a quick recovery. "I really recovered fast because I’m a healthy person," he said. Jacobs was only in the hospital for eight days. They made him walk the next day after surgery, but he felt good. When he left the hospital, he still had to stay in town for about a week. After eight days, Dr. Roth said Jacobs could go home.

Jacobs and his wife have lived in the Cayman Islands for the past 30 years. He says he is now enjoying spending time with his wife, five grandchildren and three children. One of their sons also lives in the Cayman Islands.

“My waistline is now 38 inches; before it was 44 and 46 inches. I’m quite happy with that. I can wear my old clothes again. I don’t have to wear sweatpants. I’m very happy with Dr. Roth because I feel good now. He did an excellent job,” says Jacobs.

"Fantastic Experience"

Jacobs says the doctors and staff at UMMC were always very attentive. “The attention they pay to you shows that they know the patient comes first. When you call for help they come. The longest I ever waited was seven minutes.”

Glenda Jacobs said her husband looks good and was “very happy with everything. The experience was fantastic,” she said. “The nurses were very good and Dr. Roth was nice. He explains everything to you. I appreciate that Dr. Roth took the time to listen. I would recommend Dr. Roth highly to everyone.”

Jacobs echoes those sentiments. “Dr. Roth is a wonderful person and the staff is great. I really enjoyed it here. UMMC is an excellent hospital.”

by Michelle W. Murray

This page was last updated on: May 5, 2008.

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