OT: Hernia belts and surgery

[RUBubba]

Had the mesh surgery February 2020 for a belly button hernia. Pain would come and go, but if I got bumped in the area, be it from chair backs or even worse, kids (I coached my son's basketball team), the pain was blinding.

Surgery went well, and I was as good as new a few weeks later, not even thinking about it any more.

 

[RUScrew85]

So I had my open inguinal hernia surgery on Tuesday. All went well thankfully. Hardest part so far is getting up and down. Luckily my wife is home this week and able to assist. The pain was worse on day two because most of the stuff they use to numb the area has worn off. Took a few of the prescribed Oxy that day. Since then I haven’t need them. Hopefully the worst of it is over now, been walking around the house a decent amount. Sleeping is very uncomfortable as I’ve been on the couch, my bed is to high and I’m not ready to get in and out of that yet. Still walking pretty gingerly, hopefully by day 7 I’m walking normal again.

My understanding is you're supposed to crush the Oxys into powder and snort them. LOL. Or sell them to neighbors.

 

[Postman_1]

My understanding is you're supposed to crush the Oxys into powder and snort them. LOL. Or sell them to neighbors.

We live close. You want some hahaha. I’ll probably flush them soon once fully recovered.

 

[RUScrew85]

We live close. You want some hahaha. I’ll probably flush them soon once fully recovered.

Nah. I'm an old man. Snorting Oxys is for kids.

 

[MADHAT1]

So I had my open inguinal hernia surgery on Tuesday. All went well thankfully. Hardest part so far is getting up and down. Luckily my wife is home this week and able to assist. The pain was worse on day two because most of the stuff they use to numb the area has worn off. Took a few of the prescribed Oxy that day. Since then I haven’t need them. Hopefully the worst of it is over now, been walking around the house a decent amount. Sleeping is very uncomfortable as I’ve been on the couch, my bed is to high and I’m not ready to get in and out of that yet. Still walking pretty gingerly, hopefully by day 7 I’m walking normal again.

Take care and get well by not rushing recovery but going at a pace that helps getting back to normal without over doing it.

 

[RUBOB72]

Medical statistics show if you have suffered a hernia (Ex. left sided inguinal ) males have the chance at some point will have a 2nd one on the other side.

 

[Postman_1]

So I'm a little over a year since surgery. Was back to lifting and exercising 4-5 days a week. The first 6-8 months I would feel discomfort in repaired area sometimes. The more I exercised the less this happened. A few times I thought I overdid it but discomfort ended up going away while continuing to exercise. Was just scar tissue I guess. About three weeks ago I felt discomfort again. It still has not gone away, now Im worried I could have hernia again. I dont have any swelling like last time when I was diagnosed. (Inguinal hernia repaired with mesh open surgery)
The surgeon who did my surgery was highly recommended but he was a colorectal Dr. He has since retired, I made a appointment to see his partner. The soonest they have available is end of July sucks. I'm wondering if I should be seeing a hernia specialist instead? Anyone have any recommendations in Central Jersey?

 

[RUtrumpet92]

I joined the hernia surgery club this morning. Inguinal hernia on the left side, laparoscopic... while in surgery, the surgeon checked and did the right side too. His advice is no lifting over 10# for four weeks.

 

[WhiteBus]

I joined the hernia surgery club this morning. Inguinal hernia on the left side, laparoscopic... while in surgery, the surgeon checked and did the right side too. His advice is no lifting over 10# for four weeks.

No heavy lifting, use your legs not your back and stomach. Also if they prescribed pain medicine you need to take a laxative. They normally give you one. Sedation and pain pills are not a fun result. Walk, ride a bike, keep active. Resting is the worst way to go.

 

[Postman_1]

I joined the hernia surgery club this morning. Inguinal hernia on the left side, laparoscopic... while in surgery, the surgeon checked and did the right side too. His advice is no lifting over 10# for four weeks.

Oof, yeah don’t push it. After a few days I was out walking a bit a day. That’s the best thing u can do IMO. Pretty much the only thing too. My Dr had me out of work 6 weeks. I just passed two years since my surgery. Still feel it a little every once in a while, but I’m back to doing everything I did before. Weights, running and biking regularly.
Your first #2 will be brutal. Take some Colace and Metamucil. If they gave you Oxytocin for pain they can clog u up. Any questions just ask.

 

[WhiteBus]

Oof, yeah don’t push it. After a few days I was out walking a bit a day. That’s the best thing u can do IMO. Pretty much the only thing too. My Dr had me out of work 6 weeks. I just passed two years since my surgery. Still feel it a little every once in a while, but I’m back to doing everything I did before. Weights, running and biking regularly.
Your first #2 will be brutal. Take some Colace and Metamucil. If they gave you Oxytocin for pain they can clog u up. Any questions just ask.

Before you take a pain pill you take Senna which helps with going. I didn't take it soon enough, so yes, absolutely brutal!!

 

[RUtrumpet92]

My goal is only use Tylenol and ibuprofen, and to start walking more tomorrow. Not too painful for now, but it was a bear coming up the stairs to my bed when we got home from the hospital.

 

[WhiteBus]

My goal is only use Tylenol and ibuprofen, and to start walking more tomorrow. Not too painful for now, but it was a bear coming up the stairs to my bed when we got home from the hospital.

The pain getting out of the bed or off the couch doesn't last more than a few days. Wish you a guick recovery!

 

[RUBOB72]

I joined the hernia surgery club this morning. Inguinal hernia on the left side, laparoscopic... while in surgery, the surgeon checked and did the right side too. His advice is no lifting over 10# for four weeks.

Good choice since if you are a male the odds are if you suffer one hernia you will experience the other side sometime in the future. Had left one 10 years ago . Have had a mild one for 2 years … right sided. No issue just YET.

 

[mildone]

His advice is no lifting over 10# for four weeks.

I had a couple hernia repairs, one in HS, one just after college. My doc said the same thing about 10 pounds.

My response to that advice was “but how can I pee then”?

 

[Postman_1]

My goal is only use Tylenol and ibuprofen, and to start walking more tomorrow. Not too painful for now, but it was a bear coming up the stairs to my bed when we got home from the hospital.

Day two for me was worse then day one. I was still numb from the surgery on day one. I did have the open surgery though. Dr even told me this would happen. First few days I just walked around in my house. After that it was outside everyday

 

[RC1991]

Try not to sneeze.

 

[mildone]

Try not to sneeze.

Or laugh.

 

[RUBOB72]

Within 7 days you will feel a whole lot better and by 2-3 weeks you’ll be well on the way to enj

 

[RUtrumpet92]

Or laugh.

So it's safe to read your "jokes", right?

I appreciate the support and advice, guys!

 

[DJ Spanky]

I had a couple hernia repairs, one in HS, one just after college. My doc said the same thing about 10 pounds.

My response to that advice was “but how can I pee then”?

Did he respond: "Use tweezers."

 

[mildone]

LOL. You guys are on a roll tonight.

 

[GoodOl'Rutgers]

I, too, have joined the club since this thread was first posted. Mine was about as low as a hernia can go. Double.. one side only... good leg side.. makes sense, if straining to push/lift something I'd rely on the right leg/right side to do most of teh work. I had robotic surgery.. 3 incisions.. they inflate the entire abdomen.. mesh. No issues.. but its the higher-up hernias that cause the most trouble.

Had follow-ups 4 weeks later and then another 4 week after that. First mostly to check healing of incisions and any general issues and increase lift limit to next tier.. I think it went to 50 lbs. Second follow-up was green light to return to normal life.

Good luck to anyone going through this.

Sorry I did not think to come to this board for expert advice 😜

 

[miker183]

Thanks. I was told by the Doctor at Pennsylvania Hospital much the same. But she told me mesh surgery had faster recovery. Either way I walk and out same day

Walking out simple enough. Like others have said, NO lifting whatsoever. Warning that my doctor failed to mention . . . coughing, sneezing and laughing. My word, LOL.

Had the mesh surgery, BTW. Good as middle aged now.