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

[N80]

There seems to be a lot of variation to people's response to hernia surgery. Most people do not have severe pain.

I don't know anything about laparoscopic inguinal hernia repair but I'm not sure what the real benefits are. I think a repair that would need a large incision might benefit from a laparoscpic approach. But for a small inguinal hernia repair without mesh, I just don't see how laparoscopy helps much. Are there any surgeons out there? I think member "glowplug" is a surgeon, maybe he'll weigh in.

 

[rbarker]

There seems to be a lot of variation to people's response to hernia surgery. Most people do not have severe pain.

I don't know anything about laparoscopic inguinal hernia repair but I'm not sure what the real benefits are. I think a repair that would need a large incision might benefit from a laparoscpic approach. But for a small inguinal hernia repair without mesh, I just don't see how laparoscopy helps much. Are there any surgeons out there? I think member "glowplug" is a surgeon, maybe he'll weigh in.

Well I'm not a surgeon nor do I play one on TV, but you described what I was told at the time of my surgery. Laprosocpy is for large herias and or multiple sites. In my case my hernia was bilateral and larger on one side. For this the laproscopy and mesh made good sense. For an isolated hernia they would use the "open" type of repair.

txdon, glad you're surgery went well and you are feeling better. Sounds like you got the right team for the job.

 

[MrJimi]

I had one done in October 6 of 2006 and I am doing ok now, the first few days were real hurting and just kept getting better and my doctor said I could be normal December 1 and not to lift more than half my body weight, I weigh 170 pounds = 85 pounds, thats fine with me
Jim

 

[Redneck_Randy]

txdon,

Good to hear things went well for you.

I wish I was as lucky. I'm 5 months out now and I'm still is pain. I'm unable to walk long distance without causing myself pain. I have to be careful when standing up or it feels like someone stabbed me right in my gut. I'm still not able to sit up when laying flat on my back. I have talked to the doctor about the pain and the slow recovery time and she says it's to be expected. My case is different then most here that had the surgery. Most of you just had a minor repair surgery to correct your hernia. Mine literlly blew to pieces. The doctor told me my surgery took twice the amount of time compared to just a repair surgery. She told me it may take up to a year for me to fully recover.

 

[txdon]

Randy, it sounds like you had a very serious hernia. You had the worse case scenario. Was yours strangulated and then ruptured? I was wondering if a mesh patch was used for your repair or how the repair was attached together? Did you have open surgery or laparoscopy? (Don't feel obligated to answer.)

On the 4th day after surgery I was off of pain meds and one week after surgery, today, I was racing (walking fast) with my wife up our hill ten times while caring 4# weights. I still will wait till the end of the second week before I start jogging or lift over 20 pounds. Coughing and sneezing quit hurting on day 4 and the glue is holding the incision together nicely. I still have to be careful bending and sitting up or I feel an uncomfortable tugging.

I hope you the best Randy.

 

[Redneck_Randy]

Don,

Yes, mine ruptured and the main reason I'm having a hard time healing. They opened me up for the surgery and mess was used. I have almost a 5 inch long scar. I need to get over this because it's even affecting my mental state of mind. I almost got banned from the forum here because of it.

I'm sorry Bird!!!

 

[Redneck_Randy]

Since I first started this thread I have been having problem healing/recovering from the hernia surgery. Last week I thought I hurt myself working around the home. I called the surgen that did the surgery and she had go to the ER and by the time I arrived at the ER they already had a room waiting for me. (Both the ER and being admitted to the hospital) My hernia surgery was on my left side and the pains are in the same area. The Dr has scheduled variuos test for me. Talk about dumb luck. If anybody knows human anatomy you know that your colon track is also on the left side. They discovered that I have Diverticulitis and that is the cause of all the pains. To make a long story short. The doctors think it will heal with treatment and meds and that I won't have to have part of my colon removed.

Thanks for the supporting shoulders everyone!

 

[Bird]

Glad they found the other problem, Randy. You really have been too long recovering if it were just the hernia. I'm sure it's tough for both patient and doctor when the patient has a problem that's identified (hernia, in this case) and believed to be fixed without realizing there's also a secondary problem. Maybe relief is in sight now.

 

[txdon]

Randy, I hope your colon heals quickly. I was thinking of you the other day when my left side started to hurt. The pain went away after a few days. I attributed mine to too much stretching the mesh (15 hours on the tractor, twisting looking back and bouncing) Good luck with the medication and the healing.

 

[Redneck_Randy]

Update:

Well, more bad luck for me. On Thursday the 26th at about 9:30AM one of the pulps from my diverticulitis abcessed. Wife called an ambulance and within 30 minutes of arriving at the ER I was in surgery. The doctor removed 12 inches of my colon and now I have to wear a bag for the next 4 to 6 months. I'm doing pretty good now and we all know we heal better from home. I'm being ordered to stay couch or bedridden for the next couple weeks. This pretty much ruins my summer this year. This has been a long and very hard road for me for the last 8 months and the doctor told me it's all over now and time for the healing process to begin.