groin hernia repair

C

Cameron S

New member
Cowpin8 and EducatedPanther:

I appreciate both of your replies! Very helpful so I can get an idea of what to expect. Yes, I will be having open hernia surgery and no mesh will be used, just the traditional method. Yes, I have two hernias, both pretty small. I wasn't really able to find any photos online of hernias like mine since most that I saw were much more severe. This is why I am waiting until November... since I know I'll have to be out a week at work, I talked to both my surgeon and my supervisor at work. It will be VERY difficult for me to take a week off work before then, but of course if it was an emergency, that would be okay. Since my surgeon said it CAN wait (just not wait years or anything), she said that sounds fine. She just suggested I get it taken care of by the spring of 2010 at the latest. It'll be more of a preventive surgery. That only other surgery I had was oral surgery for impacted wisdom teeth, which was not bad at all. I expect much more soreness this time around because of the location of the surgery. I'll be prepared for a tough time getting out of bed!! Maybe laying on my couch would be easier since my bed is a bit higher off the ground (good thing I went for the LOWER version of my new mattress and bed I just bought recently).

Thanks again for all of the help! It makes me feel better to just get more of an idea of what I should expect. Would you all suggest that I try to get someone to stay with me at home for more than one day? My fiance will be staying with me the first day for sure and only works about 10 minutes away from our home, so he can check on me anytime I need anything (and he will help walk the dogs). I live on the third floor of an apartment, so I know it will be a challenge to go anywhere... but I am sure I will hang out at home for a while!

I have had anesthesia only once and I WAS given medication to prevent nausea, so I'll ask if I can get this again just in case since I've never gone under without it. I didn't have any nausea problems whatsoever, so it worked. I just remember being really out of it that whole day and they had trouble waking me up at first. I tend to get knocked out pretty hard from pain pills like Vicodin... I know some people who can still function just fine with them, but I sleep!

I am sure I will be eating very light and will stick with plenty of fruits and veggies to avoid restroom troubles. I eat a pretty healthy diet anyway and I don't get all that hungry when I'm sleeping a lot and not working out. I eat a good amount when I'm very active, but I figure I won't be as hungry while resting so much. I also don't plan on lifting at all for a while. I'll probably just do exercises only with my own body weight at first and take it easy for a while. I'll start off my workouts with just walking and gradually build my way up to jogging and running. I know it will take time.

Thanks about the tip about making sure to get up and walk around some.
 
Definitely get someone to stay (live) with you for the first week 24/7. You will have difficulty getting in and out of bed. You will need someone to bring you food and drinks. Getting up will be hard. I had open hernia surgery 13 years ago and it was worse than my recent laporascopic surgery. I truly believe you should have someone with you for at least one week. Dont hesitate with the Vicodin. Take it before you feel pain. If you are not easily addicted, then take as much as allowed to ease your pain. Try not to sneeze or cough if you can help it.
By the way I went to my Hernia surgeon today and he now wants a Pelvic MRI in addition to the Pelvic CT Scan. I am going for the MRI on Monday and will see him on October 15. He is leaning towards surgery. Unbelievable, I thought I fixed everything in December. This really stinks!!!!!!
What state are you in (if you dont mind me asking?)
Good Luck, Joe.
 
I would concur. If you can have someone there, or nearby at least, for the first week would be ideal. Minimum 2-3 days, depending on how you react to the anesthesia and surgery, and drugs...even 10 minutes can feel like a lifetime when you are in pain though! I had to have my mom help, once i got upright, i would hold onto her shoulders and walk into the bathroom, where I could handle the rest on my own. Keep in mind this was my first time having major surgery since I was a toddler, so it was all new to me.

The bed being higher up will help... cause you will be able to sling your legs over the edge and slide off/push yourself off with your arms. The lower you are the harder it will be to get up. My hotel bed was fairly high...and I was very glad! Coughing/sneezing didn't cause me any pain...your mileage may vary :p

I also was very hard to wake up... I was almost not breathing...they apparently were trying to get me to breathe for a while. I have a naturally very slow heart rate compared to most, so my breathing can get pretty shallow. Apparently under anesthetics, it became almost undetectable... and yeah, I was out of it for 2 days from the anesthesia alone, not to mention the drugs!

As far as food, I ate mostly breads and other light things... it was a couple days before I could handle a full meal. Remember, everyone will react to the surgery and drugs (including anesthetics) differently... so take our experiences with a grain of salt... as your body will respond differently. And, your surgery may not be quite as bad as ours since they are still small, but on the other hand, you have 2.

Cowpin8: ugh... you must be frustrated... I hope they are able to find a way to relieve the pain for you.

EDIT: Also, you will want to wean yourself off the narcotics as quickly as possible. It took me a good week and a half to 2 weeks before Motrin (800mg) started doing the trick. You don't want to be on any drug any longer than you have to be.
 
Cowpin8 and Educated Panther:

Perhaps I should take up my family's offer to come and stay with me that week! Right now I only had plans for someone to stay with me the first day only, but it may very well be easier to have them for longer. I just don't think I'll take up the offer from my grandmother because she's a very hyper person who tends to make others stressed out :jester:!!

I'll be sure to take my pain pills regularly and ahead of time to avoid too much pain. I definitely will try to wean myself off of them as I feel up to it! I definitely don't want to depend on them for longer than I need to. Every time I've been prescribed pain pills, I hardly had to take any of them and maybe only had to take 1-2 since I can usually tolerate the pain just fine, but I imagine this will be a bit more painful! I just bought a few new books so perhaps I can just lay down and rest and do some reading (although I'm sure I'll be doing a lot of SLEEPING!). I am the type of person that always goes at least one place every day and doesn't like to sit still for long, so I figure it would be good for me to get some reading materials so I have things to do at home. I really wish I still had my laptop (I got rid of it for a desktop) so I could take that in the bed with me :)

Cowpin8, I hope everything goes well for you! That does sound pretty stressful and I hope they can help you once and for all so you can be comfortable.
 
turRrRa
If you have family that can actually stay at your house or apartment DO IT!!!
Just not your grandmother. You wont need more stress. I dont want to lie to you... You will be in moderate pain, NOT super-severe pain, but enough that you will need help getting up and walking. You are having open surgery on both sides. Thats the real deal. That is not laporascopic with small incisions. Trust me I had that on only 1 side and I was in pain. My scar on my right side is 5 inches long. It will subside over a week or 2. But I cant even imagine not having someone with me at all times for the first week. The problem is that you MUST get out of bed every few hours and move around to avoid clots and to aid in the healing process. If you have nobody to help you get out of bed you are simply not going to be getting out of bed as much as you should. As for anesthesia, I never had a problem with it. You will go home and sleep the first day probably all day. You will also not be able to lay on your stomach for a while. You will be sleeping on your back for a long while. That kind of stinks. Well...stock up on your reading material and make sure your laptop battery is juiced. Also, for me personally, I did not want a lot of people (especially kids) coming over to say hello and get better. You dont need to catch a cold or get some germs on you. Keep away from as many people as you can for a week or 2. After my hernia surgery in December, my 12 year old niece was coming by and I told my wife to get her outta here. No offense, kids are always sick. The last thing you need is to get sick or an infection. Clean and disinfect your room before the surgery and DO NOT let your dog in. You will be fine, it just takes time. But understand that your surgery is definitely as I said, "The real deal surgery" You are being cut open on both sides. I wonder why they chose open surgery?
Good Luck, Joe.
 
Back
Top