Inguinal hernia surgery - anyone had it ?
Discussion
I’m a relatively healthy 54 year old having inguinal hernia surgery this afternoon. Glad to be having it as it is uncomfortable at times ( sicky stomache feeling and an ache in right teste . ..not great ).
So I think I’ll have to have a few weeks resting and recovering whilst trying to get out for short walks. Anyone else had this surgery ? Any tips on recovery ?
I expect my Pistonheads use to spiral out of control as I lie around bored all day !!
So I think I’ll have to have a few weeks resting and recovering whilst trying to get out for short walks. Anyone else had this surgery ? Any tips on recovery ?
I expect my Pistonheads use to spiral out of control as I lie around bored all day !!
You’ll experience pain for a few days but in my case nothing severe. The main thing is to be patient and not to exert yourself too soon, you will feel as though you can do stuff and then pay the price the following day. Build up very gradually and you’ll be back to normal in six weeks.
I had surgery at the start of the year.
I wasn't sure what to expect really, but my experience - at least as I remember it - is below. They didn't use mesh, just stitched up the muscle - it wasn't keyhole either, they cut me open.
1) Two weeks off work was worth it - even at a desk job there's you're getting up and down a lot. I mean, you could work, but take the break.
2) It is quite tender for a while and you shouldn't be doing much. Also, I couldn't sleep on my side as it felt like it pulled on the area so I didn't get much sleep.
3) The doctor told me to crack on with normal life when he saw me after 4 weeks. I did start doing normal life things but I don't do heavy lifting or go to the gym, just driving and motorcycling and other normal life activities. I proceeded with caution and all is okay.
4) I'm 4 months in now and part of the scar is still healing, I occasionally get some aches when I stretch but I put this down to the muscle still healing.
If there's anything specific you'd like to know, just ask and I'll see if I can remember.
I wasn't sure what to expect really, but my experience - at least as I remember it - is below. They didn't use mesh, just stitched up the muscle - it wasn't keyhole either, they cut me open.
1) Two weeks off work was worth it - even at a desk job there's you're getting up and down a lot. I mean, you could work, but take the break.
2) It is quite tender for a while and you shouldn't be doing much. Also, I couldn't sleep on my side as it felt like it pulled on the area so I didn't get much sleep.
3) The doctor told me to crack on with normal life when he saw me after 4 weeks. I did start doing normal life things but I don't do heavy lifting or go to the gym, just driving and motorcycling and other normal life activities. I proceeded with caution and all is okay.
4) I'm 4 months in now and part of the scar is still healing, I occasionally get some aches when I stretch but I put this down to the muscle still healing.
If there's anything specific you'd like to know, just ask and I'll see if I can remember.
swanseaboydan said:
If I have a week of complete rest and a few walks - I was then hoping to get the paint rollers out and do some painting - do you think that would be too soon ? Is that classed as lifting ?
I wouldn't, as your surgery wouldn't be healed and the stretching/bending could put undue pressure on it. You'll probably come to the same conclusion after the surgery, but double check with the surgeon if you still feel like it!swanseaboydan said:
I m a relatively healthy 54 year old having inguinal hernia surgery this afternoon. Glad to be having it as it is uncomfortable at times ( sicky stomache feeling and an ache in right teste . ..not great ).
So I think I ll have to have a few weeks resting and recovering whilst trying to get out for short walks. Anyone else had this surgery ? Any tips on recovery ?
I expect my Pistonheads use to spiral out of control as I lie around bored all day !!
I had both sides done, ten years apart.So I think I ll have to have a few weeks resting and recovering whilst trying to get out for short walks. Anyone else had this surgery ? Any tips on recovery ?
I expect my Pistonheads use to spiral out of control as I lie around bored all day !!
First side was laparoscopic. I was driving within a couple of days and back at the gym within a week. No major issues afterwards.
Left side was an open surgery. It was a couple of weeks off everything, gym took ages and I then had to return to have a cyst removed that grew as a result of the surgery. I still have numbness below the incision.
Your outcome will likely be linked to the type of surgery.
I had mine done by Oxford Hernia Centre.
Open surgery rather than keyhole. Performed under local rather than general anaesthetic. Being awake while someone closes up a 15cm cut is quite disturbing, but at least removes the need for a general with associated recovery. The surgeon there always uses the Lichtenstein method with surgical gauze due to this having the lowest rate of recurrence.
Total time in hospital was < 3 hours. Off pain killers completely 3 days later.
I didn't return to serious lifting or other tasks like that for six weeks.
That said, Mrs M was doing Yoga 4 days after her first Caesarean Section following the birth of our first child. This still makes me feel like a bit of a wuss for waiting so long to get back into exercising.
Open surgery rather than keyhole. Performed under local rather than general anaesthetic. Being awake while someone closes up a 15cm cut is quite disturbing, but at least removes the need for a general with associated recovery. The surgeon there always uses the Lichtenstein method with surgical gauze due to this having the lowest rate of recurrence.
Total time in hospital was < 3 hours. Off pain killers completely 3 days later.
I didn't return to serious lifting or other tasks like that for six weeks.
That said, Mrs M was doing Yoga 4 days after her first Caesarean Section following the birth of our first child. This still makes me feel like a bit of a wuss for waiting so long to get back into exercising.
I have a hernia and dr advises me its not serious enough yet to warrant an operation...but...it will need operating on. Am currently on an enforced gym hiatus due to retinal surgery but will push for the hernia treatment once I get back into gym and can assess how much it is going to restrict my training. Gym is a massive part of my life and not being able to train properly will affect other aspects of my life, I am luck enough to have a Dr who understand this.
biggbn said:
I have a hernia and dr advises me its not serious enough yet to warrant an operation...but...it will need operating on. Am currently on an enforced gym hiatus due to retinal surgery but will push for the hernia treatment once I get back into gym and can assess how much it is going to restrict my training. Gym is a massive part of my life and not being able to train properly will affect other aspects of my life, I am luck enough to have a Dr who understand this.
When I had mine I switched weights for daily swimming, really enjoyed it and also enjoyed stopping it after about 6 weeks! Gassing Station | Health Matters | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff