anybody had hernia repair? - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

t walgamuth · #1 05-10-2007, 06:04 AM

i think i have one brewing.

i am wondering how long it takes to heal after the surgery....how long til you can do normal things.....like run in an autocross.

tom w

riethoven · #2 05-10-2007, 06:40 AM

Tom, you have to stop lifting those OM617 longblocks by yourself. Just kidding. 20 years ago before arthroscopic was popular, a hernia operation could take weeks to recover and the incision had to be drained daily which could require daily doctor's office visits.

Now they do it arthroscopically in most cases and I think recovery is like 3 days and nothing has to be drained. I am pretty sure they still have to put you completely out for the procedure. Best of luck.

G-Benz · #3 05-10-2007, 08:08 AM

Double hernia operation three years ago.

Came in for a pulled groin muscle (hefting my keyboards onto a tall stage)...and the doc gave me that diagnosis.

I was in and out that day...it's outpatient surgery, and not very invasive at all...couple of small incisions for the cameras and tools and they staple you up inside.

During recovery, lower abdominal area will hurt...especially if you laugh or use the bathroom.

Most of the recovery period is waiting for the stitches to dissolve and to not do any overexertion or you'll tear the staples off. Three days minimum, but at least a week before you start tossing diesel blocks around!

POS · #4 05-10-2007, 08:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by G-Benz

I was in and out that day...it's outpatient surgery, and not very invasive at all...couple of small incisions for the cameras and tools and they staple you up inside.

During recovery, lower abdominal area will hurt...especially if you laugh or use the bathroom.

Most of the recovery period is waiting for the stitches to dissolve and to not do any overexertion or you'll tear the staples off.

My father (he's 68 now) had the same thing about two years ago. His procedure and recovery was exactly as G-Benz described.

t walgamuth · #5 05-10-2007, 08:13 AM

did they have to put you out?

on my hip replacement the anesthetic bothered me more than about anything.

tom w

Botnst · #6 05-10-2007, 08:24 AM

Mine took about 6-7 weeks to heal. The first week was kind of painful but after that, nothing to it. In fact, you'll have to remind yourself not to pick anything up or mow the lawn, etc.

B

GermanStar · #7 05-10-2007, 10:55 AM

Yes, they'll put you out. Single or double? Big difference in terms of comfort and mobility the first week or so...

G-Benz · #8 05-10-2007, 10:59 AM

I remember seeing the doors fling open in the OR as they wheeled me in, and next, my wife is standing over me in Recovery. Total black-out in between...

...yeah, you are sedated during the procedure!

ytr1903 · #9 05-10-2007, 11:13 AM

Tom

I wouldn't concern myself with the procedure. I just had it done in December. I went with the expectation of an arthroscopic procedure and came out with a 4 inch scar. The hernia was more of an issue than the doctor originally thought that it would be. I was told to do whatever I could do up to the point of uncomfortable pain. The next day, I walked about a half mile and spent the day in the shop watching my buddy work on his 420SEL. 5 weeks later, I went back to the doctor and he gave me an official OK, but I had been doing pretty much what I wanted to do for 2-3 weeks before. Very anticlimatic. Most painful part was watching daytime TV the afternoon of the operation.

Tom

t walgamuth · #10 05-10-2007, 04:19 PM

ouch!

better to be knocked out.

tom w

t walgamuth · #11 05-11-2007, 12:15 AM

so i called the doc this morning and they got me in today at 530. i got right in and the doc was there so fast i didnt get one article read in the trailer life mag they had!

i have a small one. it is an unusual type and it is unusual for someone my age to get them. i told him my dad had one at age 70 or so and he said oh i see (like it must run in the family i guess).

so he is going to get me an appointment with a surgeon.

tom w

MS Fowler · #12 05-11-2007, 07:00 AM

My favorite surgery memory is when they say " Count backwards from 100", I get to "99, 9-", then, " Wake up Mr. Fowler."
They tell you not to lift anything heavy. But we had a blizzard 2 days after my surgery, and there was no one else, so... I shoveled snow. It was a very light snow, and I took extra care to not even tighted the abdominal muscles--all lifting done strictly with my arms. I also shoveled at intervals so the depth of the snow was only 2-3 inches each time.
Only after effects were a few twinges as the adhesions broke up over a few month period.

GermanStar · #13 05-11-2007, 10:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by t walgamuth

so i called the doc this morning and they got me in today at 530. i got right in and the doc was there so fast i didnt get one article read in the trailer life mag they had!

i have a small one. it is an unusual type and it is unusual for someone my age to get them. i told him my dad had one at age 70 or so and he said oh i see (like it must run in the family i guess).

so he is going to get me an appointment with a surgeon.

tom w

Single hernia repair recovery isn't bad at all. I was up and about as soon as I got home from the outpatient procedure. Even walked my dog that very day. Double is supposed to be much more uncomfortable, and I can certainly understand why.

Mistress · #14 05-13-2007, 08:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by t walgamuth

so i called the doc this morning and they got me in today at 530. i got right in and the doc was there so fast i didnt get one article read in the trailer life mag they had!

i have a small one. it is an unusual type and it is unusual for someone my age to get them. i told him my dad had one at age 70 or so and he said oh i see (like it must run in the family i guess).

so he is going to get me an appointment with a surgeon.

tom w

Good Luck Tom and let us know what happens.

t walgamuth · #15 05-16-2007, 11:32 PM

june 4th. outpatient. local and a sedative.

he said until then i can do whatever i want, so saturday i am going to an autocross in south bend at the tire rack test track.

actually an autocross test session.

tom w

so here is how it went... doc " yep, you have a small hernia....you could repair it this year, or next year...probably shouldnt wait ten years".....me "will it get any better?....no....will it get worse?....yes, but not too fast....me "well i am uncomfortable with it now so i want to get it fixed as soon as possible." ....doc " i am not sure how fast i can get you in".
doc leaves exam room...a few minutes later..."how about june 4th?" fine.