Inguinal hernia - time to recover?

[thefortrees]

I was an idiot and pushed it too hard in the gym with poor form last night. After deadlifts, I immediately realized I popped a hernia (wtf is the proper terminology?) Went to the physician today - she said "yup, that's a hernia. Here's a surgeon who can help."

I have a consult on Monday, and I'm trying wrap my head around this whole process.

Do any mags have advice, insight, or suggestion? I'm hoping that I can be on skis by the time snow starts flying...

[Harry]

I had an inguinal hernia at age 19. 4 of us were loading a live torpedo into the bomb bay of a Navy sub hunter out on Adak AK. 2 guys slipped on the ice and fell down, leaving me and another guy holding a 800+ pound live torpedo. Dropping it was not an option. I felt a big tug in my groin, I figured I pulled a muscle. Next morning my nutz were the size of a basketball. Other guys in in the barracks said "Dude, we told you not to mess with those bar girls when we were in the Philippines !". Went to sick bay, diagnosis inguinal hernia. Got medevaced to the Naval Hospital in Oakland CA for surgery, then sent home for 30 days convalescent leave, followed by 30 days light duty. Been good as new ever since.

[old goat]

No problem skiing this season. A week or two to walk, sit, stand without significant pain, 4-6 for full activity--skiing, lifting etc without medication. There may be some swelling and tenderness to touch and some twinges of pain for as long as a year or two but nothing that should interfere with activity.

Or you might recover faster--had a skinny kid who worked in a warehouse who wanted to go back to work in a week. I told him to lift the electric cautery--150# or so. He did, so back to work. (If you work for yourself off work 1-2 days, if you work for someone else 1-2 weeks, if you work for the state 1-2 months.)

The lifting didn't cause the hernia, just made it apparent. The defect was already there--lifting pushed the bowel out through the defect. The biggest strain on the abdominal muscles is coughing and sneezing. Which brings up a key point in recuperation--do not let children or anyone with a cold anywhere near you until the pain is mostly gone. Take your narcotics and antiinflammatories on a schedule for the first few days--hard to control the pain if you let it get bad. Lots of fruits and vegetables and fluids--don't let yourself get constipated.

The main risk of hernia surgery is chronic pain--reported to be as high as 10% but that hasn't been my experience. Much lower I think, especially as surgeons have become more aware of the problem. Not something to worry about but be aware and if you are having persistent pain let your surgeon know.

[wakefield]

Like others have said, you'll be back up to speed by the time the snow starts.

I had one repaired a few years ago. I was up and mostly normal after a week or so, with a couple more before I felt good doing strenuous activity. For a year or two I would occasionally feel something. Not pain, just an "oh, yeah, I have some mesh in my groin." Now I don't feel anything.

[thefortrees]

Just got out of my surgery and figured I'd give an update on my recovery every couple of days. Hopefully this helps out any mags in the future who are researching inguinal hernia repair surgery.

Day 1 - outpatient surgery. Came out of the anesthesia feeling pretty good and starving (not sure if this is normal?). It was open surgery with a mesh repair, so I've got a two inch incision between my stomach and the "goods". Doc says to expect swelling and bruising everywhere down there - guess I won't be getting laid for a while

Sitting upright hurts in the groin and hip flexor area. Not severe pain, but feels like I pulled a muscle. Laying on the couch with an ice pack is most comfortable for me at the moment. Good thing I bought a dozen TGR flicks recently when they had a sale for $5 per DVD! Walking is ok, but I'm shuffling at a slow pace.

Doc said I should walk as much as the pain allows to improve blood circulation. Planning on a hobble or two around the block in a few hours. I took the day off work tomorrow and will likely do some more walking - maybe a couple miles if the pain allows it?

No jogging or bike riding until the follow up appointment in two weeks - just walking. Definitely no lifting at the gym.

Day 2/3 - limping around with a bad burning/stabbing pain below the incision. Pain was the worst just after waking up, and after about an hour of hobbling around the house and 600mg of ibuprofen, it got better. Stayed home from work. Watched a bunch of ski porn and went for walks around my neighborhood.

Walking is key - seems that getting blood circulating to the area helps!

Day 4 - woke up with same burning pain, but not as painful. More ibuprofen. Walked around a bit and went to work. Couldn't sit for long, otherwise that pain would come back.

Day 5 - woke up feeling great. No burning pain, just stiff hip/groin muscles. Best day so far - minimal pain and was able to walk around a lot. Getting better! Gonna stop posting now since it seems like I'm over the worst of it.

Hope this helps others reading into this. I think the key is walk as much as you can, even through some of the pain!

[old goat]

as you say--sitting is often worse than walking and standing. basically stuff gets scrunched when you sit.

[Lee Murian]

bumping this for my scheduled surgery on the 20th. Any updates? I'm guessing you're 100%, 2 months post op?

Also anyone with advice on open repair v. scope? I keep reading pros and cons but if I want to wait a month or 6 weeks I can see a surgeon for the laparoscopic. It's all about timing and I just want to get it done asap before winter with shorter recovery...

[Tye 1on]

bumping this for my scheduled surgery on the 20th. Any updates? I'm guessing you're 100%, 2 months post op?

Also anyone with advice on open repair v. scope? I keep reading pros and cons but if I want to wait a month or 6 weeks I can see a surgeon for the laparoscopic. It's all about timing and I just want to get it done asap before winter with shorter recovery...

I asked my surgeon that question. As mine was a small [.5"] , he said the incision was going to be so small/easy that it made more sense to make that one hole than the typically three with the lap. I'm sure the advice would have been different if my incision was larger and perhaps if it was the lower version...

[thefortrees]

bumping this for my scheduled surgery on the 20th. Any updates? I'm guessing you're 100%, 2 months post op?

Also anyone with advice on open repair v. scope? I keep reading pros and cons but if I want to wait a month or 6 weeks I can see a surgeon for the laparoscopic. It's all about timing and I just want to get it done asap before winter with shorter recovery...

My only choice was an open mesh repair. Surgery was towards the end of September, so I'm 2.5 months post op right now. You'll be skiing this season no problem, but if your surgery and recovery was like mine, I would not expect to ski until early February.

The doc prescribed me nothing but walking up to week 6. Slow jogging/walk intervals from week 6-8. No lifting or ab exercises until week 8. I'm 95% recovered on cardio:

- running is back to pre-surgery distance and pace
- mountain biking/stationary bike causes occasional pressure (still have to go easy on the resistance and hill climbs)

I'm back to weight training multiple times per week, but 50% of the weight for most exercises. High rep, low weight is the name of the game for now. Your body will let you know if you are pushing it too much. I haven't tried a pull up yet and am going to give that another week or two.

A couple more recovery tips:

- Walk every day, even if it hurts like hell to get up and start walking. The pain will subside after a few minutes of hobbling.
- Avoid pain killers if possible (constipation from opioid pain killers would be absolutely brutal in the first couple weeks after surgery...)

Good luck on your surgery and let me know if you have more questions.

[old goat]

bumping this for my scheduled surgery on the 20th. Any updates? I'm guessing you're 100%, 2 months post op?

Also anyone with advice on open repair v. scope? I keep reading pros and cons but if I want to wait a month or 6 weeks I can see a surgeon for the laparoscopic. It's all about timing and I just want to get it done asap before winter with shorter recovery...

Hernia on one side, no previous repair on that side--definitely open. (I used to fix hernias for a living and have had 2 opens myself--one each side.) The difference in recovery is not significant, especially with newer tension free repairs. Our specialist in laparoscopic repairs wouldn't do them on simple one-sided hernias.

[Lee Murian]

Thanks for all the advice Tye, fortress, and goat. My PA was recommending the open and after some research it looks like the way to go, First hernia, one side, relatively small still.

Thanks again, one week to go to get some low tide skiing. My friends can thank me, I'm sure a series of winter storms will start on 12/21...Cheers y'all!

[Ale_capone]

PICS or it didn't happen!

Good to hear some positive outcomes. Been reading too many horror stories. I'm in my third week of recovery. Open/mesh. I feel a little tug and burn occasionally. No real pain, just.enough to remind me I'm not healed yet. By week 2, I could hike with little problem. Mostly just wired surface sensation.

At the two week post op visit, doc said I could go snow boarding for Christmas, but take it easy. . That would be about 7 weeks. Sooner if i go x country, or just skinning. Glad the conditions are less then tempting.

Skinning... is one of the contributing factors to my hernia. Torn hip flexors, and over compensating with my abs.

[thefortrees]

I'm sure a series of winter storms will start on 12/21...Cheers y'all!

The high pressure ridge of death is planned to break down right around then. Thanks for the self-sacrifice to Ullr for the greater good.

[old goat]

the main restriction is pain. you should be able to ski as soon as it doesn't hurt too much. but take your surgeon's word for it, not mine.

[Ale_capone]

Just over 5 weeks. Skinned 5,000', skied, and snowboarded with no pain. Only road hippy pow though. Feel good today. Almost visually and physically a non issue at this point...

All my exercise was organic. Yard work and hiking.

[old goat]

All my exercise was organic. Yard work and hiking.

Gluten free?

[reckless toboggan]

Gluten free?

No. Sous vide.

[Ale_capone]

Duck confit.

Making prime steaks tonight. Wish I had one of the sous thingies.

[Ale_capone]

Just saying I didn't hit the gym. I did the highlands workout. Caber toss, Glasgow stones... that kind of thing.

[old goat]

Just saying I didn't hit the gym. I did the highlands workout. Caber toss, Glasgow stones... that kind of thing.

You manage to flip the caber? Friend of mine is a monster and hasn't manged to flip a masters caber in years of trying, although I guess it's more of a balance/technique thing than strength, or so he tells me.

[Ale_capone]

Never a real one. Mostly I was just moving logs, but I think I'm going to make a few. Good home security. No one wants to fuck with someone who tosses cabers for fun.

About 6 weeks, went pillow riding for Christmas. 3 mile approach ski, and 2 rowdy laps.. 0 pain. Most numbness is gone, only difference from normal is I can feel where the mesh is.

[old goat]

Never a real one. Mostly I was just moving logs, but I think I'm going to make a few. Good home security. No one wants to fuck with someone who tosses cabers for fun.

For home security I recommend the hammer.

[Ale_capone]

Molly better get her head up!

I think some cabers, a few hammers, and some huge targets with throwing axes in the bulls eyes. That oughta do it... and maybe a couple cannons out front. thanks for the ideas!

I honestly am fitting my house with the midevil/scotish motive.



A house not far from me has a security fence made of abandoned vehicles and skulls. A tresspassers will be kilt sign( not a typo) and In the front yard is a heavy bag, and about 500lbs on a bench press.

I imagine some sweet old lady lives there.

I called my doctor yesterday, and busted myself for riding a little early. He said he thought for sure I would have went sooner, so he purposely told me 2 weeks more then needed. Cleared for all but heavy grunt lifting for a while. Which I will play for months, or years, at work.

[old goat]

Molly better get her head up!

I think some cabers, a few hammers, and some huge targets with throwing axes in the bulls eyes. That oughta do it... and maybe a couple cannons out front. thanks for the ideas!

I honestly am fitting my house with the midevil/scotish motive.



A house not far from me has a security fence made of abandoned vehicles and skulls. A tresspassers will be kilt sign( not a typo) and In the front yard is a heavy bag, and about 500lbs on a bench press.

I imagine some sweet old lady lives there.

I called my doctor yesterday, and busted myself for riding a little early. He said he thought for sure I would have went sooner, so he purposely told me 2 weeks more then needed. Cleared for all but heavy grunt lifting for a while. Which I will play for months, or years, at work.

The bag and the bench press are a great idea. Might try that one myself. I just have to figure out how to get them set up in my yard.

[Goniff]

Adding another data point to this thread.
I'm 7 days post bilateral laparoscopic inguinal hernia surgery. On the advice of my surgeon, I've been walking about 1 mile each day since the third day after the operation. One side of my groin has healed nicely and only has a general aching feeling while walking. The inflammation in the other side flairs up after about 2 minutes of walking resulting in a stabbing pain with each step (5 on a scale of 10) that persists for about 30 minutes after the walk.

I'm taking 400 mg of ibuprofen and 500 mg of acetaminophen every 6 hours. My surgeon told me to take a break from the walking for a week if I am having this much pain.