I had a hernia operation several years ago... so far, so good, but the whole idea of some mesh device coming unraveled and screwing up my insides is a thought I’ve had once or twice... I’ve heard some nightmarish stories and I’d hate to have my own. For now... I knock on wood.
I had one as a child/toddler. No memory of it but same as you.
I had a temporary colostomy back in 2010. They reversed it three months later. About a year later, I developed an incisional hernia on the left side where the stoma was. They did surgery and put mesh in. My surgeon told me that even with the mesh, it was likely I’d develop another hernia at some point, along the edge of the mesh. I did develop one in my lower abdomen. Had it for quite a while now. I’ve had a couple of doctor’s check it out, but both told me that as long as it doesn’t bother me, I don’t need surgery. I’m a 79 year old woman.