Location of mesh in inguinal hernia repair

[dq2004]

I had laparoscopic surgery to repair an inguinal hernia.  After 4 months, the hernia returned, and so I had a second repair surgery by incision.  Now, 10 months after the second operation, I'm having some odd "tearing" pains and tenderness under the incision site, and down toward my groin.  I'm trying to understand the geometry of the two repairs.  I visualize the inguinal canal as a cylindrical passage, starting inside my abdomen, passing downward through the muscles of my lower abdominal wall, and ending at the top of my scrotum.  Can someone explain where the mesh was placed in each of my surgeries?  My first thoughts were that it was over the open ends, but now I'm not so sure.