For the last couple of months I’ve been afflicted with an inguinal hernia; it hasn’t really caused me any pain or limitations physically but seeing as how I’m not getting younger and it’s not going away, I’m getting laparoscopic surgery on 1/4 in the new year (also, I don’t want it to turn into a medical emergency as a strangulation hernia). I have a very physically active lifestyle and my job is demanding since I have to compete with a lot of 20-something kids. The doc that did my eval indicated that the opposite side shows signs of weakness (genetic- I do, or up until recently, did a ton of sit-ups/crunches along with my weight training) as well so it’s likely to be a double op.

I generally know what to expect, but any advice from the trusted collective would be appreciated.

Just follow the Post-OP recovery recommendations religiously...Everything you should do, and NOTHING you shouldn't, so it heals properly!

I had open gut surgery for inguinal hernia on both sides but 10 years apart. I was ready to go after 4 days in both cases. I still took it easy but was able to do everything including snow shoveling. I was age 44 on the right side and 54 on the left. If you can get both sides done at once that’s a whole lot more convenient.

Everyone I talked to that had scope surgery said the recovery was much longer.

Recovery also depends on the style of laparoscopic surgery. Two schools of thought, the first is pro-peritoneal, where the inflation is between the peritoneal layer and the muscle, with very little abdominal insuflation, and the 2d is inside the abdomen (like a lap appy or gall bladder). With both, you should get an ample supply of numbing medicine, but with the 1st there is muscle pain and with the 2d there is usually shoulder pain associated with CO2 in the abdomen (its gotta go somewhere).

With both, the mesh is very similar and usually complication free despite what lawyers on TV will have you thinking.

Enjoy the shave prep!

Mine was Bilateral, 5 years apart almost to the day. The guy who did mine was a specialist who did 5 or 6 hernia repair surgeries a day on 3 days of the week and he played golf the rest of the week. He was a pro and so was his staff.
Conversation with the Doc:
Doc: You need to have surgery to repair your hernia.
Me: Ok! Schedule me for the winter. I dont want to be laid up when the weather is nice.
Doc: No problem! But your hernia could drop into your scrotum or strangulate. Then I will see you in the ER.
Me: Geezus! Schedule me now!
Follow your post op instructions and for me, my only restriction afterward was avoid lifting anything over 100 pounds.

Just had right inguinal hernia surgery in Nov. 3rd hernia repair in two surgeries for me. First couple of days were brutal. Kept a stepstool by the bed to help lift myself up. That was the worst part for me. Returned to work with no restrictions in three weeks. Could've been back in two if light duty was an option. Took four weeks before I could put shoes on without wincing. Good luck!

Timely thread.

I had an inguinal hernia (left side) repaired about 17 years ago. Open procedure. I remember some discomfort for the first couple of days, but on day 3 I was back in the gym walking on the treadmill. At the time I was pressing 80-85 lb. dumbbells on the flat bench, but doc said no heavy lifting for 6 weeks. So I slowly ramped up my weightlifting according to doctor's orders. Otherwise, after about a week, I was able to return to close to my baseline activity level.

I have a very active lifestyle (in the gym 5+ days a week, running my 13-year-old basketball-playing son to school, practices, and tournaments, assistant coach for one of his teams, etc.). Noticed some pretty significant groin pain on my right side about a month ago so I started palpating around down there and, sure enough, another hernia.

So off to the doc. I was lucky enough to get an appointment with the director of the UCSF Center for Hernia Repair & Abdominal Wall Reconstruction here in S.F. pretty quickly (UCSF is recognized as one of the most accredited hospitals around here). I expected the doc to recommend a minimally invasive procedure, but he said he has done over 2,000 of these surgeries through a 2-inch open incision (with a mesh implant). He said from all of his clinical experience the difference in procedure outcome, recovery time, and pain management required between the two procedure types (open and laparoscopic) is minute.

After he performs the procedure for recovery he said expect to be back in the gym in just a few days. Coughing, sneezing, and straining on the toilet are to be avoided as much as possible for the first couple of weeks, but he was confident that further activity restriction would not be necessary. Post-operative pain is generally managed successfully with OTC NSAIDs.

Hope that helps!

I had dual inguinal hernia surgery back in mid-May. The right side was much worse than the left side. It was a same day procedure.

The doctor told me my scrotum would swell quite a bit. He was right. The first week of recovery was the hardest. After that it was mostly be careful about any type of activities I did. There was to be no lifting of any objects over 10 pounds for 6 weeks.

I did my best to comply with his recommendation and I recovered well.

One of the worst parts about limiting activities was the mental aspect of it. I just wasn't used to being inactive for so long. I felt like I was climbing the walls at times, feeling kind of useless.

I just recovered from a neck disk fusion surgery, got the neck brace off for good this past Thursday. I had to go through the same recovery time window and again limited to not lifting anything over 10 pounds during that time. I didn't feel as though I was climbing the walls this time, I accepted it a little better knowing the main thing was to make sure recovery went well.

Thanks for all the responses folks- from my research, q&a with the doc, and now these testimonials I’m feeling less apprehensive about my post-op future. My biggest concern is lost time in the gym as getting back in the groove gets harder the older you get. I’ll be happy when this is behind me.

quote:

Originally posted by gearhounds:
For the last couple of months I’ve been afflicted with an inguinal hernia; it hasn’t really caused me any pain or limitations physically but seeing as how I’m not getting younger and it’s not going away, I’m getting laparoscopic surgery on 1/4 in the new year (also, I don’t want it to turn into a medical emergency as a strangulation hernia). I have a very physically active lifestyle and my job is demanding since I have to compete with a lot of 20-something kids. The doc that did my eval indicated that the opposite side shows signs of weakness (genetic- I do, or up until recently, did a ton of sit-ups/crunches along with my weight training) as well so it’s likely to be a double op.

I generally know what to expect, but any advice from the trusted collective would be appreciated.

Do exactly what the surgeon tells you post-op regarding both the healing process and going back into workouts. You don't want to have to go through this a second time.

My best advice is to watch your diet carefully. General anesthesia and pain meds will affect your bowel movements, and trying to crap without straining (pushing) can be a challenge.

Very Timely thread! I just had a laproscopic procedure myself on Friday afternoon. Had a 'sizeable' right inguinal hernia, possible left upon examination, and a fat-filled umbilical hernia (have had that one for almost 10 years with no issues).
After internal examination (with photos) the left was fine, right inguinal was pretty big and required mesh repair and umbilical only required some sutures. They use the navel for access to pump the CO2 in anyway. I arrived at the hospital at 11:00 am and woke up from the (general) sedation at @ 2:30. I was walking around fine the rest of the day. I found sitting was fine and walking around was fine, just feeling the soreness during the transition between the two. I have only needed to take tylenol for pain, 2 doses the day of surgery, one dose on Saturday, and one dose yesterday....have not needed any today. Feels like I just overdid doing situps, and there is some internal itching felt from the area of the inguinal repair. I do still have a bit of a sore throat from the breathing tube, but that is improving. Been eating lots of fruits and veggies to counteract the constipation from the meds.
Overall, not a bad experience thus far and I'm looking forward to having my full mobility restored.

quote:

Originally posted by honestlou:
My best advice is to watch your diet carefully. General anesthesia and pain meds will affect your bowel movements, and trying to crap without straining (pushing) can be a challenge.

This right here. Jesus Christ, those first few bowel movements were murder.

For whatever reason, y experience on a laparoscopic mesh repair for an inguinal was different than those posted. I don’t know if the surgeon got her something, or it didn’t heal right, or my liver and thyroid issues affected it, or what, but the pain I experienced afterwards forever redefined my perception of pain and the whole 1-10 scale. I also still have problems with it and sharp pains whenever I do anything to strain in that area.

Dulcolax Stool Softener is your friend.

^^^^^^^^^^^^
Talking about shitting in a thread! lol

I'd like to be able to offer advice but my bilateral hernias were fixed 76 years ago and things have probably changed since then.

I have done a little research on diet and am already planning on a heavy vegetable/fruit with eggs for protein until the healing is well underway.

Smudge, I am sorry to hear your experience was so uncomfortable. And hope you are the exception to the general rule.

Good advise given for you so far from what I can remember. It's been several years since I had mine done (single, not a double).


Do follow the restrictions given to you.


Be prepared to do the Tim Conway shuffle for a few days. Climbing stairs at first will be a challenge (I have 3 steps to get into the house). It felt like I got kicked really hard by a horse. The pain meds they gave me just made me feel groggy/fuzzy headed but did little to dull the pain, I preferred alternating between Tylenol and Advil (YMMV - check w/ you doc).


Overall, my recovery wasn't too bad and was pretty typical so long as you don't over-do it during your recovery.

I had bilateral inguinal hernia surgery years ago. It hurt for the first few days and the pain meds they gave offered no help,so like others I took over the counter meds like Ibuprofen for pain and swelling. Don't do any heavy lifting or anything crazy and follow the doctor's orders.

YMMV.....but I did not use any stool softeners. Had one smoothie each day, using pre-packaged fruit and vegetable frozen stuff. Had only one day of mild constipation the day after surgery...after that the vault opened up....I swear I heard 'Ode to Joy' playing aftwerwards like in Die Hard.