Managing a hernia in the weeks before surgery.
Discussion
During a routine work related medical last week I was diagnosed with a bilateral inguinal hernia. It came as a shock because I wasn’t aware of it and it’s the first time I’ve really had anything wrong with me. (Aside from a few fractures and the normal childhood illnesses that we used to endure in the ‘old days’. I’m nearly 48).
The doctor explained the surgery required, (making me feel a bit queasy) and I’ve also done some on-line research, but only enough to get me all cold and clammy again! I really don’t like this kind of stuff at all!
Anyway, I have a preliminary consultation booked in mid-December so I think I can probably expect surgery in Jan/Feb. I’d rather not know any more about the treatment but I am concerned about managing the condition up until the operation.
Pre-diagnosis I was cycling, swimming, weight training and doing push-ups, crunches and various stretching exercises after my regular morning run. Today I’m wary about bending to tie my shoe laces!
How can I continue to train and keep fit without worsening the problem. I guess I need to stop lifting weights and perhaps cut out the crunches. Any ideas? Or should I really just take things very easy until the treatment?
The doctor explained the surgery required, (making me feel a bit queasy) and I’ve also done some on-line research, but only enough to get me all cold and clammy again! I really don’t like this kind of stuff at all!
Anyway, I have a preliminary consultation booked in mid-December so I think I can probably expect surgery in Jan/Feb. I’d rather not know any more about the treatment but I am concerned about managing the condition up until the operation.
Pre-diagnosis I was cycling, swimming, weight training and doing push-ups, crunches and various stretching exercises after my regular morning run. Today I’m wary about bending to tie my shoe laces!
How can I continue to train and keep fit without worsening the problem. I guess I need to stop lifting weights and perhaps cut out the crunches. Any ideas? Or should I really just take things very easy until the treatment?
Click.
I suspect your GP is best to advise on that. I was fine and carried on training, reduced weights admittedly, up until I had the op. I too was nervous but it turned out very well.
Not convinced I'm properly fixed, or maybe I've done it again, but the doc signed me off as fit so I'm fine with that.
I suspect your GP is best to advise on that. I was fine and carried on training, reduced weights admittedly, up until I had the op. I too was nervous but it turned out very well.
Not convinced I'm properly fixed, or maybe I've done it again, but the doc signed me off as fit so I'm fine with that.
I think I'll start running again to begin with (wearing appropriate supportive underwear) and see how things go. I'm working away from home at present so I can't consult with my own GP. I've not seen him for years but he's already referred me to the specialist on the advice of the doctor who performed the medical.
I'm sorry that you feel that all is not quite as it should be after your own treatment. It's worrying that people report varying degrees of success and post operative pain.
I'm sorry that you feel that all is not quite as it should be after your own treatment. It's worrying that people report varying degrees of success and post operative pain.
Ughh, too much information. I'm going to barf!
I wasn't aware the actual procedure would differ between the NHS and private treatment.
Actually I have private medical insurance through my employer so I guess I have the option to use it if I'm not keen on the treatment proposed by the NHS.
I wasn't aware the actual procedure would differ between the NHS and private treatment.
Actually I have private medical insurance through my employer so I guess I have the option to use it if I'm not keen on the treatment proposed by the NHS.
LordGrover said:
Not convinced I'm properly fixed, or maybe I've done it again, but the doc signed me off as fit so I'm fine with that.
Interested on your symptoms that lead you to say this. I had an op in March, and then went back to exercise and manual labour when I got the all clear but get the feeling that something isn't right, with a pain from time to time almost like there is a tear behind the mesh.I still have tearing pain 9 years after my repair, I was told to expect 'some' but only recently discovered that a high proportion of us have this for over 5 years, and many for more than 10 years. It's always after over exerting myself, digging or heavy lifting for example (no, I haven't killed the wife) and now I'm used to it. Worst case scenario would be a re-rupture I suppose, but I suspect the repair, once the tissue has grown through the mesh, is stronger than the original design 
Ken Sington said:
LordGrover said:
Not convinced I'm properly fixed, or maybe I've done it again, but the doc signed me off as fit so I'm fine with that.
Interested on your symptoms that lead you to say this. I had an op in March, and then went back to exercise and manual labour when I got the all clear but get the feeling that something isn't right, with a pain from time to time almost like there is a tear behind the mesh.It's more a feeling something's there, especially after a heavy lifting day. I had no pain as such prior to the op, but the feeling is very similar; difficult to describe though. Like I said though - if any pain I'd get it checked out immediately.
I did not even know I had a hernia pre-diagnosis last week, but now I know, I do have an awareness that something isn't quite as it should be. There is a definite bulge, but only on one side even though the doctor said I have a bilateral hernia.
Maybe I'm feeling symptoms similar to those Lord Grover is describing. No pain but perhaps a 'tug' now and again and a general discomfort in my groin. Also, I'm feeling the need to go for a pee more often than usual. Has anyone else experienced the latter?
Maybe I'm feeling symptoms similar to those Lord Grover is describing. No pain but perhaps a 'tug' now and again and a general discomfort in my groin. Also, I'm feeling the need to go for a pee more often than usual. Has anyone else experienced the latter?
I'm just getting over my mesh repair of a ventral/incisional hernia in my abdomen 2 weeks ago. It was done laparoscopically, but more complicated than it should of been due to previous surgery in the area- resulting in 12 entry sites rather than the normal 2-3.
Pre op - I wasn't told to do anything special EXCEPT not to lift anything and to report any pain immediately, v important as this could indicate strangulation of the bowel which would have put me back to the stage where I was with my previous op- no way did/do I want that again-so I was very aware of any pain and didn't lift.
Post op -I was in a lot of pain for a week after, needed oromorph, diclofenac, tramadol, and paracetamol. Currently for the majority of the time I am in discomfort- paracetamol in day if needed, tramadol at night! main problem at night is pain and inability to get comfortable/lie on sides etc. I become very tired after exercise, I'm slowly increasing my walking each day. All the pain killers and pain n abdomen made it difficult to go to the loo too!
I was aware of the mesh to start with, now I feel it pulling if I move quickly and I'm aware of the areas where there may be the titanium pins (at the edges) holding it in place! Otherwise everything just feels tighter in my stomach and a bit like I've got a stitch from exercising in the outer parts of my stomach were its still quite bruised where the incisions are.
I had mine done on the NHS, service was excellent, ward was good, daily check ups by a consultant whilst I was in- absolutely no complaints at all thus far!
Good Luck to those waiting for their ops
Pre op - I wasn't told to do anything special EXCEPT not to lift anything and to report any pain immediately, v important as this could indicate strangulation of the bowel which would have put me back to the stage where I was with my previous op- no way did/do I want that again-so I was very aware of any pain and didn't lift.
Post op -I was in a lot of pain for a week after, needed oromorph, diclofenac, tramadol, and paracetamol. Currently for the majority of the time I am in discomfort- paracetamol in day if needed, tramadol at night! main problem at night is pain and inability to get comfortable/lie on sides etc. I become very tired after exercise, I'm slowly increasing my walking each day. All the pain killers and pain n abdomen made it difficult to go to the loo too!
I was aware of the mesh to start with, now I feel it pulling if I move quickly and I'm aware of the areas where there may be the titanium pins (at the edges) holding it in place! Otherwise everything just feels tighter in my stomach and a bit like I've got a stitch from exercising in the outer parts of my stomach were its still quite bruised where the incisions are.
I had mine done on the NHS, service was excellent, ward was good, daily check ups by a consultant whilst I was in- absolutely no complaints at all thus far!
Good Luck to those waiting for their ops
My bilateral inguinal hernia was treated a few days ago by Laparoscopic surgery. Our superb NHS carried out this excellent treatment. Both sides were repaired through just three incisions using gauze patches, each measuring 14cm x 10cm. The surgeon said he used ‘preformed’ patches, meaning they stay in position without the need for staples etc.
I was taken into the operating theatre at about 1130 and I was on my way home by 1545. Before and after the operation, I was taken care of by a wonderful nurse who did just about everything for me except roll out the red carpet! The clinic also phoned me the following day to see how I was feeling.
I suffered a bit of nausea during the first night, but the Co-Codamol, Ibuprofen and Tramadol are keeping me mostly free of pain. I had to visit the chemist yesterday to get something to treat constipation (Lactulose). I was told that the Co-Codomal is probably causing this. The only other problem I’m having is sleeping. I’ve been waking at about 0300 with a stiff back, due to staying in one position.
Overall, I’m very pleased. I think I received the best treatment available in a very reasonable timescale.
The NHS ROCKS!
I was taken into the operating theatre at about 1130 and I was on my way home by 1545. Before and after the operation, I was taken care of by a wonderful nurse who did just about everything for me except roll out the red carpet! The clinic also phoned me the following day to see how I was feeling.
I suffered a bit of nausea during the first night, but the Co-Codamol, Ibuprofen and Tramadol are keeping me mostly free of pain. I had to visit the chemist yesterday to get something to treat constipation (Lactulose). I was told that the Co-Codomal is probably causing this. The only other problem I’m having is sleeping. I’ve been waking at about 0300 with a stiff back, due to staying in one position.
Overall, I’m very pleased. I think I received the best treatment available in a very reasonable timescale.
The NHS ROCKS!
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