Having my first surgery in 6-8 weeks

[DSVWGLI]

Good luck and a speedy recovery to you. I too had hernia surgery about 14 years ago. I had a indirect hernia which is when the hernia occurs through the testicle passage way and comes out into the scrotum . I was told by my wife to get it fixed or join the circus. I had it fixed, as I had no interest in traveling with the circus

[jfelbab]

I had that procedure done as well. It was in an outpatient facility. Went in in the morning and they put me under. I woke up a half an hour later with it all done. The incision would hurt if I stretched wrong for about a week. I never felt any discomfort from the mesh. The scar completely disappeared too. Had it done on a Friday and was back to my day job on Monday. No lifting for a couple weeks though. I think they said anything over 5 pounds was too much. They said I should not be detailing any vehicles until after my follow-up doctor visit a month later. That was the part that bothered me the most. That and having my wife watching every move I made. I couldn't pour a glass of milk without her snipping at me for lifting the gallon jug. LOL

[90 ZR-1]

take care scott, hope you recover quickly.

Kevin
(you know me on ot)

[Scottwax]

Originally Posted by Accumulator

you just might "feel the mesh" (as I still say during some ab workouts) forever, at least to some extent. It's not really discomfort once things heal up, but it can feel a little weird (hey, it that stuff staying fixed sort of feeling).

I bet you'll end up being glad you had it done and I'll be looking forward to hearing how it goes.

Yeah, the doctor said for a while it will feel like duct tape in there but he'd give me some stretches to do to help loosen the scar tissue which should pretty much get rid of that feeling.

I'm glad I am finally getting it done, just want to get it over with-can't wear tight shirts or my belly button shows!

Glad to hear I am not the only one here who has had to deal with a hernia.

[PaintPolisher]

Scott, I have always admired your work ethic, skill sets and all around ability to help others out. This is my story to help you an others out and me and my mesh are sticking to it.

I had to have double hernia surgery five years ago [these bad boys bubbled out about and inch upward, an inch in width, six inches in length on both sides plus the pain was OMG they hurt] and this was my first time being knocked out since they removed my wisdom teeth a long time ago.

In and out in one day – my bride is a nurse and said I was funny and goofier than normal after the surgery.

They went through my belly button and inserted the mesh patches on each side which felt like the plastic mesh they use for landscaping for about two months. Everything worked out fine. On my second day I did a small walk going maybe 200 feet and thought I was gonna die! Third day I walked and around the block, not fast steps mind you but a nice walk compared to day two. During the first three days you do not want to cough, laugh, sneeze or strain on the toilet – you will understand why.

Modern techniques and updated medical procedures have progressed that ten years ago they would have sliced my tummy from one side to the other with a long recovery time [six months] to these days where I have this little bitty scar near my belly button and I was up an walking OK within two days.

I now lift nothing that looks heavy just because the doc said it is OK to say NO so I don’t strain myself and when you say you had double hernia surgery to others their eyes glaze over and they say we can handle this and they do.

al

[Jason S]

Scott,
I hope you a quick and painless recovery. I enjoy looking and reading about your work! The surgury should not be bad, my dad had the same deal, he had surgury about 20 or so years ago and it came back, the mesh is awesome, he was home the same day and walking around the next morning and no problems since. It may take a while to back into full deatiling but it shouldn't be to long.

Best regaurds

Jason Sutherland

[twitch]

Congratulations for staying healthy enough to stay away from hospitals for the majority of your life. That's awesome! It’s a great decision to take care of your hernia now before it gets too bothersome and since the price is ri… better

I am all too familiar with surgery and have plenty of “battle wounds” to show. I have Cystic Fibrosis and had a double lung transplant on October 20th 1995. I am very fortunate to have had this surgery and very grateful for the “gift of life” that was given to me as without it I’d be dead.

Good luck with your surgery Scott and let us know how it goes. Oh and the stories you are hearing about being goofy on the medication… have fun with that! My fiancée walks on eggshells every time I have a procedure because she’s always “concerned” about what I’m going to say next The doctors and nurses love it

[integritydetail]

Can't Ghodoussi just make a polymer for that?

Best wishes for a speedy recovery and a more than competent surgeon!

[islandvic]

I had laproscopic left inguinal hernia reapair when I was 27. The doctor found it during a routine check-up. Luckly it was not a complete tear at the time. The doctor told me it was up to me to have it repaired then or later on the future. He also said it could be congenital and very well never give me any trouble if I didnt have the repair done.

I elected for surgury asap. The laproscopic proceedure reduced my down time.

A few words of advice though....

Follow your doctors orders about limitations of lifting weight and activities! Mine told me not to lift ANYTHING weighing more than 10lbs for two weeks. Freaking everything weighs more than 10lbs! I followed the directions though, but was a PITA.

Everything will hurt the first few days... coughing, laughing, going to the bathroom, anything and everything wil make you hurt. One doesnt realize how often you use your ab muscles to do mundane activities! Your back and ab muscles are some of the most important muscle groups in the body!

Good luck with your repair !

[Scottwax]

I had my surgery physical yesterday. They did an EKG and blood work. Good thing the doctor is a customer (although his NP was the one who saw me) and gives me a 30% discount.

I was told that on the surface, the EKG looked good, although a doctor is best qualified to determine that. My blood pressure was 112/80, which made me happy because by my age, my Dad was already being treated for high blood pressure. I should get the full results back by tomorrow afternoon. Hopefully everything looks good so I can schedule the surgery, maybe the Monday after Thanksgiving.

The surgeon told me the weight limitation was 20-30 pounds for the first 4-6 weeks but I'll err on the side of caution. My Dewalt weighs 9 pounds but doesn't feel like it causes any unecessary strain on my abdomen while using it. Still, I might put off any full corrections and stick with basic details for the first 4-6 weeks. Don't really do a lot of them in the winter anyway. I'll probably be able to road bike in a couple weeks after surgery but stay off the drops (basically, the racing position) until I am fully healed. I've starting lifting weights again (mostly arm, shoulder and chest, road biking takes care of my legs) so I am sure that will be a few months off from that too. Definitely won't be doing any heavy squats or leg presses even after I am fully healed.

I appreciate the concern and all the advice from those of y'all who've had the surgery or similar operations.

[Accumulator]

Originally Posted by Scottwax

... Definitely won't be doing any heavy squats or leg presses even after I am fully healed.

Eh, they aren't as as some less-intense stuff is. IME it's kinda funny what you do/don't feel.

Glad you're looking good for the surgery.

[DaGonz]

I heard that polishing your abdomen with a Cyclo and Mezerna SIP on a finishing pads will help reduce scarring....

Just kidding, Scott! I'm glad everything turned out okay, and don't "push" yourself.. allow the healing process to do its thing!