I too had inguinal hernia repair performed on 10-11-01. I actually had both the left and right side done at the same time. The right side has healed beautifully, while my left side also had ilioinguinal nerver entrapment causing me breathtaking pain. My doctor has since prescribed Neurontin for me and it has taken away about 80% of the pain. If the nerve doesn't heal itself in the next month, I am to have an injection to actually kill the nerve. At this point, the nerve is supposed to rejuvinate itself and hopefully be normal again. Hope this helps!