(Blog) Something I wouldn't wish upon my worst enemy

[ronjhall]

Had similar surgery 6 years ago. It was 7 weeks before I could go back to work. Not a fun thing. I can feel your pain. I have heard stories of people that have the surgery and go back to work in 3 days.

 

[Jagmandave]

I haven't had hernia surgery, hope I never do and I sympathise with those who have.........it's a good thing we never really have memories of pain, they fade with the hurt........

I had a vasectomy years ago, did what the Doc said, stayed off my feet for a day, and never had any pain or swelling - or unwanted children!

Mine was done under a local too, I got to watch!

 

[PineRidge]

Some years back I had double hernias that were repaired using the Shouldice technique. It was a really a piece of cake. There was very little pain and I was able to quickly return to work.

Sorry you're experiencing so much discomfort.

 

[thatguy]

Im one 'power lift' away from having to have hernia surgery, and all because I i was stupid to try and lift a few things i knew better than trying.

I have the inguinal type (run right along where your leg joins the torso near the groin) versus the bulging around the naval..

Is the surgery the same for both or what type is everyone refering too?

My dr (not a surgeon) mentioned that once you have the surgery you will probably end up having it over and over. Any truth to that?

Im holding out until I MUST have surgery but lately it has seemed to be bothering me more and more..

thanks
Brian

 

[dieselsmoke1]

That's the same type I had and my doc told me he was going to fix it to where I'd tear something else first. 25 yrs. and counting and the patch is still holding.

 

[Bird]

My dr (not a surgeon) mentioned that once you have the surgery you will probably end up having it over and over. Any truth to that?

I'm certainly no doctor, but I hadn't heard that before and I doubt the accuracy of it.

 

[ronjhall]

My dr (not a surgeon) mentioned that once you have the surgery you will probably end up having it over and over. Any truth to that?

Im holding out until I MUST have surgery but lately it has seemed to be bothering me more and more..
thanks
Brian

I have never heard that. Its been 6 years and have no signs of another hernia.

 

[rbarker]

Is the surgery the same for both or what type is everyone refering too?

No, I think they are different, but mine was like yours inguinal. This done laproscopicly and uses mesh. Others may too, but I didn't have those so I can't say.

My dr (not a surgeon) mentioned that once you have the surgery you will probably end up having it over and over. Any truth to that?

Not according to what my surgeon told me. As others said, you will blow out somewhere else before ever blowing out the patch.

Im holding out until I MUST have surgery but lately it has seemed to be bothering me more and more..

This type of injury will never heal on it's own. The longer you go the worse it can get and you risk stragulated hernia which is a true medical emergency. See a qualified surgeon who does this regularly and get the straight scoop. Then at least you will know what you are dealing with.

Good luck!

 

[txdon]

Thank you all for your input. With your help and experiences, I was able to ask the right questions. I know every hernia and person and surgeon are different. I interviewed two surgeons and chose the second one. The first surgeon did not give me as many options.

I am now 33 hours out of surgery for the repair of an Inguinal hernia (one side). Twenty minutes after surgery I walked to the restroom and was out of the hospital 2 hours after surgery. I just went for a 1 mile walk.

I opted for open surgery (incision), as opposed to laparoscopy because the open incision gave the surgeon more visibility and room to work. I did not like the idea of three holes being cut for the laparoscopy and tools, light and camera prodding around trying to insert the mesh. In addition, the laparoscopy would have involved injecting gas into my abdomen to "expand the work area". Overall, I felt the open surgery was less complicated.

I also chose local anesthesia/conscious sedation as opposed to General Anesthesia. The surgeon gave me the choice. I chose this type of anesthesia because I did not like the ideal of a machine breathing for me and a tube stuck down my throat. The nurse anesthetist gave me the choice of being awake enough to hear what was going on or to be out during the surgery. I was not as tough as Bird and told him I would rather just sleep through it. I felt nothing except cool when they were cleaning me up after the surgery. The up side of conscious sedation is that I did not have a sore throat from a tube down my throat and I did not have to go to the recovery room.

My one incision is about 4" long right above where the hernia was. It is closed with dissolving stitches on the inside and "Glue" on the outside.

I am taking pain medication every 6 hours and Advil in between every 6 hours. I really do not have any pain except when I cough, or bend over. I can't use those stomach muscles for a while.

The surgeon said that a hernia does not "Need" to be repaired if it is not causing problems. Once last week I was at the point of having to lay down and push the hernia in to get rid of stomach pain.

I still cannot drive for 3 days or lift over 20 pounds for 2-3 weeks but so far I am pleased with the results.

 

[ronjhall]

Take it easy for a few days.
Hope you do not need to haul any wood for the stove.