Hernia post op

[CarbonXKR]

Hi all,

I've searched the forum and read all the stories - good and bad. I'm now in day three of recovery and after some advice on a couple of things. Should you clean the wound when changing the dressing and if so how?? Mine looks okay so just stuck a new dressing on before I nearly passed out!
Getting in and out of bed is the sorest for me. Any tips? Mine was open surgery under general anaesthetic, in theatre at 1530 and home after I did a wee at 2030.

[LordGrover]

Can't help re the dressing, I had some glue or plastic skin over mine which just washed away after a few days.
Just be cautious doing any stretching, bending and lifting for the first few days/weeks. I was lucky and had very little pain or discomfort but this seems to vary a lot.

[CarbonXKR]

Thanks for the reply LG, the drugs are working for me but don't help getting in or out of bed. Time will be the healer no doubt

[NarrinRad]

Defo rest, sit on the edge of the bed when putting clothes on etc.

After a few days, go for a short walk then slowly increase it, although an extremely common operation it can be very sore, just take it easy as much as possible, don't lift anything heavy for a couple of weeks, and try as much as possible NOT to sneeze.

Hope you feel better soon

[Tabs]

Had mine done in November. As others have said, it's just a matter of time. It was a couple of weeks before I 'forgot' about it. Be prepared for a scar sausage appearing at the incision. It feels like a long solid lump under the skin. It wasn't mentioned on any of the post op advice notes given. When you investigate via the Internet you'll find it's quite normal.
I was walking round the block after a week, building up to a six miler at a month. Back to how I was pre hernia, but very careful how I lift etc. And DON'T SNEEZE!!!

[CarbonXKR]

Thanks for the advice all. Feeling a bit of nausea this afternoon but sitting down in the office chair now so that's a relief. Only chair I can get in and out of without pain. Had visitors this afternoon too and laughing is another no-no although the jokes were funny

[MrBrightSi]

I had an umbilical hernia a few years ago.

Not to put the fear into anyone, but just be aware if you start getting very sick, like food poisoning sick.

I ended up very ill in a private hospital in Spain after getting a liquid abscess due to the nylon stitch they used in the defect.

I can only parrot other people on here, just take it very very steady and look out for yourself, i found that after a few weeks cycling became the only physical thing i could do without any issue or discomfort around the scar, it all faded and i was completely better for it after.

[CarbonXKR]

Update :- back from the docs and have a haematoma under the wound pressing on the inguinal canal. This is where the pain on sitting standing and getting in and out of bed is coming from. Nothing they want to do with it other than monitor and it will subside over time..... painful though last night, could hardly get in to bed without tugging.