Seems I need to get one fixed. Anyone care to share the good/bad experiences with this procedure. I'm hoping to only be down for a few days followed by light duty for a month or so. Thx gang. They use a robot type device.

One on each side. The second was robo surgery a couple of years ago at the VA by a specialist from University Hospital and the recovery time was less than the first. No complications of any sort, and at the suggestion of a nurse before the procedure I alternated between acetaminophen and ibuprofen every eight hours or so to avoid taking too much of either type, but also to keep the PK level up and not start hurting. That lasted about 10 days as I recall and had less pain (virtually none) than after the previous conventional incision. I was given some sort of opiate, but except for the first night to help ensure I slept well at a friend’s home, I never took any.

Hopefully yours goes as well as mine did. (And, yes: I did observe the restrictions on lifting, etc.)

I’m getting two on the left side done on Thursday. She’s going to inflate my abdomen to check me for any other leaks and fix anything that the ultrasound didn’t find. I’ll let you know how it goes.

Thanks to both of you for the info. Smudge, I hope it all goes well. I'm hoping mine will be uneventful as well. sigfreund, I'll try rotating the drugs as mentioned. Too much of anything can be bad for sure...er except $.

I had a negative experience when I had mine done in the Spring of 2010.

It was a pisser because I was less than two months away from starting basic/AIT/ABN school. Then trying selection for active duty Civil Affairs or Psychological Operations.

Two years of training down the drain.

One thing I recommend 10000% is rehab therapy.

I did not start getting better until the last year or so when I started going to a pelvic floor therapist to help with my lower back/SI joint which I hurt in Feb 2018.

The pelvic floor therapist asked me if I went to therapy after my surgery and I stated that I had not. I have since read two articles and seen two you tube videos on the benefits to attend PT sessions after the surgery.

Both sides, with the mesh. No issues. Went with the epidural on the 2nd one and was in and out out the hospital in 3 hours.

Once you get home - do not lounge around all day. Get up, walk, move around. Don't over-do it - but stay mobile.

Good luck.

I've gone through this four times now. Some good suggestions in the other posts. I'd add - use one - or two - canes to get up and down out of chairs for a day or two. If you do use opiate pain control use Dulcolax or equivalent. Opiate induced constipation will ruin your day after abominable (sic) surgery.

I had one fixed on my right side in 2012. Got the cut and patch (not robot assisted). Cost about $3800 out of pocket.

I developed one on the left side last year however I can't afford to get it fixed as the quoted price was constantly different and between $20000 and $45000.

Thanks for the pointer on the canes, hadn’t thought of that. I have a pair of crutches in the hall closet I think I’ll use for that. I plan on taking mirolax and lots of vegetables for at least the first several days just because pushing seems like it’ll be a nightmare. Can’t take opiates or anything other than half doses of Tylenol, so I’m just going to have to cowboy up for this. Hopefully they give me something at the hospital to get me through the first day.

quote:

Originally posted by coloradohunter44:
Smudge, I hope it all goes well. I'm hoping mine will be uneventful as well.

Thanks, man. I’ll keep you in my mind prayers and let you know of anything I learn that may possibly be of help.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: P220 Smudge,

Woke up about a half hour ago and coming to now. First piece of advice I can give you is don’t laugh no matter what. If you wear contacts normally, bring glasses instead.

quote:

Originally posted by P220 Smudge:
Woke up about a half hour ago and coming to now. First piece of advice I can give you is don’t laugh no matter what. If you wear contacts normally, bring glasses instead.

Glad to hear you made it okay. You can update us once yer home and rested up. No laughing. Gotcha.

It also helps to use Miralax or something of the sort to make bowel movements easier and you don't have to strain/push to hard. Sounds gross but you will be happier if you do.

quote:

Originally posted by coloradohunter44:
Glad to hear you made it okay. You can update us once yer home and rested up. No laughing. Gotcha.

Thanks, man. And I will do.

Re: Miralax - I inquired about using it and they advised me not to. I have been prescribed a stool softener instead. They said the Miralaxcould throw my electrolytes off, which isn’t good for healing.

In January 2020 I had some abdominal pain, so I went to my Primary Care doctor. He referred me to a surgeon. I had a CAT scan and a EGD scope. What they found was not what I thought was the issue. A dual inguinal hernia. Due to the fun of 2020, the procedure was moved to September as out patient. 3 weeks later, I realized just how much an issue it had been. Feel much better and much more stable in my core.

Ok, fuck it, I’m taking the Miralax. I’ll have some Gatorade for the electrolytes. They gave me stool softeners and my wife swore she gave me one when I was all doped up. Nope, just counted what was in the bottle.

Day one advice: Don’t overdo it. Just rest. I couldn’t pee last night and I couldn’t strain and they wouldn’t release me until I did, so the choices were a) go home and if I couldn’t pee in the next eight hours, go the the ER for a catheter so my bladder wouldn’t burst and kill me and b) get the catheter and a to-go bag and go home and sleep. Guess what I chose? Had to go in this morning to have it removed and the drive in our CX5 was... sporty. My wife hit every fucking pothole and manhole cover on the way, the walk through the hospital had me doubled over and leaning against the wall halfway to the office, and my wife found all the bumps and potholes on the back road route we took back to avoid the shit roads. By the time I got home, I was in agony. I crawled into bed and it felt like my torso was tearing apart just below the ribcage. Thankfully, I fell asleep. And now I get to pee in my own toilet.

So, deal with the catheter if you can’t pee, but if you have a vehicle with sporty suspension, good luck on the drive back. I wish my wife would nerve up enough to drive my Ram, but that wasn’t going to happen. Hopefully your caretaker is more on the ball than my wife is. Between the drive and the “confusion” on the pills, I’m in much rougher shape than I ought to be in today.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: P220 Smudge,

Good god my friend, I'm glad you survived. I hope you feel much much better tomorrow. Things can only improve. Let us know how it goes. Prayers you feel 100% soon.

Had my surgery for bilateral hernias 75 years ago. Don't remember much about it but hasn't bothered me since then.

P220 Smudge, where ya at? How ya doing. Time to check in.

Hey man, I'm doing better. Thanks for asking. I've got some other health issues going on that mean I'm healing a lot slower than normal that I won't get into, but the first week has been pretty rough. I'd imagine it'll be a lot easier for you.

Incisions are looking good, and only some minor purple bruising (so far) in my navel, right under the middle incision. The left side where the hernia was is still really tender and sore. Laughing is still a no-no, but I can cough or blow my nose, provided I lift my left leg enough to kind of brace the area. The first couple bowel movements were... interesting. Eat lots of granola, that definitely helps.

In short, the first few days are the worst, and then you just want to continue to take it easy. I have a hard time with that part, and in the past, I've hurt myself coming off events like this where I need to rest and heal. I swear, if I were a dog, I'd be wearing the cone of shame.

How many iguanas did you try to lift?