Getting a hernia operation...what to expect? - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

G-Benz · #1 09-25-2002, 11:52 AM

A couple of months ago I was carrying one of my larger keyboards to the band stage at church. Instead of walking up the series of risers (like I should have), I climbed up the side of the stage, about a two-foot rise. As I pulled myself up, I felt something and figured I just strained a groin muscle or something.

My wife forced me to see the doctor since the "sprain" had not yet healed, and I was diagnosed with a mild hernia.

I go see a specialist next week, and will be scheduled for surgery soon.

I'm nervous, as I have never set foot in a hospital as a patient, and never had anything more invasive than a needle in my body my entire life!

Is this an outpatient procedure? How long will I be laid up (if need be)? My family can create entropy in a matter of minutes, so I can't imagine being bed-ridden for any length of time!!!

Anybody out there that can share their experience?

Jim Anderson · #2 09-25-2002, 11:57 AM

First they take a REALLY sharp knife...

jcantor · #3 09-25-2002, 12:03 PM

G-Benz,

I had a hernia repaired while I was in college with no problem. It's generally an outpatient procedure (at least mine was scheduled as such) and I gather usually done under a local with sedation rather than a full general anesthesia. Now my actual experience was a little different as my surgery was delayed several hours due to some emergencies that came into the hospital which caused them to keep me over night. Also, I ended up under a general because I was asking the surgen too many questions :p

The recovery wasn't too bad although all those very friendly nurses and all my friends who wanted to crack lots of jokes where NOT appreciated. Laughing becomes very painful although it is actually very good in helping the muscles heal from what I understand.

Best of luck to you and hope your experience is as painless and uneventful as possible.

jlc

PS the itching when the hair that they shave off grows back can be a bit annoying

G-Benz · #4 09-25-2002, 12:12 PM

I guess my sex life will suffer too?

Oh yeah, I'm married....NOT! (I mean the sex life):p

Lebenz · #5 09-25-2002, 12:28 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by G-Benz
I guess my sex life will suffer too?

Depends on your health insurance plan and the nurse(s)

c43amg · #6 09-25-2002, 01:23 PM

I had a double hernia surgery done four and a half weeks ago (walnut-sized on right (had for a couple of years before now finally deciding to do something about it), not noticeable on left but doctor says go ahead and fix while doing the other one). My surgeon is old school -- did incision and put mesh in to prevent recurrence instead of laproscopy (smaller incision and operate remotely using inserted camera). BTW, heard a horror story from a friend about a laproscopy gone bad -- pierced intestine and had very serious complications.

Surgery was outpatient with anesthesia; in at 8:30AM, in pre-op by 9:30AM, conscious by 2PM, left hospital by 4PM (wheelchair to car), all same day. If possible, wear boxer underwear and shorts to hospital plus slip-on shoes (e.g., boat shoes), so as to be able to get dressed after surgery with minimum of excess motion -- you'll feel every move. Leave jewelry, watch, billfold, etc., at home and have everything pre-processed (health insurance, etc.) before the date of operation

You will need wife or child to drive you home and to tend to you for first couple of days (have surgery on Friday so that everyone is home for the weekend). No need for her to sit at hospital and wait -- just have patient representative or recovery room nurses call when you're starting to wake (depending on driving time to hospital) -- be sure to have that noted on your chart with wife's cellphone number so they won't forget.

First couple of days are extemely painful, esp getting out of bed (amazing how much that muscle is used for). As mentioned above, coughing, laughing, sneezing, etc. is excruciating for a couple of weeks [be sure you don't have a cold when you go in]. Get a good pain medication -- I had Oxycodone, which is excellent. You'll be sleepy much of the first couple of days and won't have much appetite [I lost 11 pounds - a nice side benefit].

Very important to keep ice/cold packs on area for first couple of days (rotate them so you always have a fresh one available as needed) -- I think this was key to my rapid recovery.

Able to walk (slowly) after two days, drive after five [but again, doctor said I was well ahead of normal patient and I was in good shape prior to surgery]. Moving normally and playing tennis after four weeks and will be able to be unrestricted (incl lifiting weights) after 6 weeks.

You'll see the doctor one week after surgery (stitches dissolve on their own) and final follow up five weeks after surgery.

Hope this was helpful and not too much detail -- happy to answer any follow-on questions.

Ashman · #7 09-25-2002, 04:33 PM

My Dad just had a double hernia op yesterday. He is doing well, and so far no complications, but he isn't moving around much yet until it heals.

But luckily I get to stay home with him and help him by getting him what he needs when he needs it.

Good luck on your surgery, he showed me how they did it, and it was quite fascinating.

Alon

#8 09-25-2002, 08:30 PM

Make sure you can "pee"by yourself otherwise they will
do the most painfull!You don't want the "Pee Bag"

#9 09-25-2002, 08:49 PM

Quote:

First they take a REALLY sharp knife...

Not funny.

Ken300D · #10 09-25-2002, 11:13 PM

When you go in, make sure you have a stick-on label somewhere on your stomach or abdomen that says:

H - E - R - N - I - A

'cause you don't want to get mixed up with any other procedures going on down there in the hospital that day.

I suppose I'm not being very helpful here............

Ken300D

1976450SEL · #11 09-25-2002, 11:27 PM

My son, now 6, had a hernia from birth that went undiagnosed and noticed til he was late 3. He had the day surgery at 4. Was very good. Not a ton of pain etc...

I was very nervous for him, but it really is routine..

On another note, my German Shorthair pup had an umbilical hernia...seems to have healed itself..

Yours wont heal itself...It will be fine for sure, they do tons of em.. Good luck with it

#12 09-25-2002, 11:36 PM

My friend told me his balls swelled up and painful when he had his done!!

mikemover · #13 09-26-2002, 12:09 PM

I had one about 4 years ago...my experience was similar to c43amg's description...It was an outpatient surgery, I was only there for a few hours. Life sucked for a few days afterwards, my girlfriend at the time had to feed and entertain me for a few days, and unfortunately no sex for a few weeks!!!

The first trip to the bathroom later that evening was NOT fun! I crawled there and crawled back!

But I was moving around pretty well after 4-5 days...and back to normal after 5 or 6 weeks. There was a lot of bruising around the groin/genital area for a few days...that kind of freaked me out, but I was told it's normal. The incision left a faint scar 3-4 inches long, right below the waistline. Sorry to be graphic, but I'm trying to be accurate here...

Anyway, it was my first, and hopefully ONLY, surgery.

Mike

c43amg · #14 09-26-2002, 12:32 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by TANK
My friend told me his balls swelled up and painful when he had his done!!

Discuss with your doctor as to what to expect in terms of discoloration and swelling so you won't be surprised.

Again, cold packs or ice will help to reduce swelling.

Jim Anderson · #15 09-26-2002, 01:09 PM

How about relieving the pressure