inguinal hernia recovery advice

I just had my second inguinal hernia repair day before yesterday. I'm a 47 yo male and with the
exception of the hernia and about 20 lbs of excess baggage (fat) am in very good health - ie: no
other health problems or defiencies. The first operation was about 5 years ago and was on the
right side.

Chopping firewood and the heavy lifting apparently brought on the second hernia which was on my left
side.For both operations they cut an incision and put synthetic mesh in to block the intestine and
prevent it from pushing into the groin area.

For both operations the doctors didn't have much of anything to say in regards to the recovery
period except -"take it easy; don't exercise for a few weeks, and be sure not to lift anything that
weighs more than 10 LBS.: for several weeks.

Recovering from the first surgery was my first intensive introduction to PAIN and I now know, that
it did not have to be that way! I was in bed for several days and everytime I had to get up out of
bed to go to the bathroom, i experienced excruciating pain - it felt like acid was being poured on
my groin area.

Taking a leak wasn't a problem, it was getting my carcass out of bed that hurt so much. There was no
pain while lying in bed. I'm usually fairly active physically, so for me this was hell. I falsly
assumed that I was supposed to spend the first few days after the operation lying in bed - "taking
it easy" -

Don't make that mistake. STAY OUT OF BED - except during your normal sleeping hours... that is
unless your doctor specifically tells you otherwise and move around - don't sit still for more than
an hour or two at a time.

THE BEST ADVICE

The recovery room nurse for the second operation told me that the best way to minimize pain and to
speed up the recovery would be to STAY UP, TO MOVE AROUND FREQUENTLY and TO STAY OUT OF BED as much
as possible

He said to eat regular meals, to take walks, to sit up, to move around frequently, and to stay
out of bed except for the normal 6-8 hours of sleep time at night. He also said to take the
meds as needed
- typically for the first 2 to 4 days. After that you should find that the need for them starts to
taper off. Of course people recovering from these surgeries are not supposed to do any heavy
lifting or running for a few weeks.

After a night's sleep - the meds have worn off and without them - for at least the first couple of
nights, getting out of bed would involve a lot of pain. So I've been taking a couple of the
painkillers prescribed to me, in bed about 20 mins before I get out of bed.

The recovery room nurse also told me to put my hand over the incision and gently/firmly press there
before coughing, and to hold my hand there when walking if desired to provide additional support.
I'm doing that some of the time and it does seem to be helping.

He also said taking deep breaths every now and then, would help accelerate the healing - by
increasing the oxygen intake.

Also, you'll probably be walking slowly and like an old man (or woman) for a few days, but don't
worry, that too will pass. You should get a little bit better every day.

================

My surgery was at 9 am Wed morning and I was home at 4 pm the same day. I walked around a bit
outside and inside and then took a nap for about an hour, got up and ate a light dinner, and walked
around for about half an hour. I was up moving around the house - reading, computer, and tv that
night til about 11 pm. Yesterday I did light chores around the house, and spent some time reading
and writing.

I've been following the recovery room nurse's advice carrying on at home as I normally do on days
off, except there's been no lifting of anything over 10 lbs. The operation was abou 48 hours ago -
and I feel great. I will be back at work on Monday. The difference between the present recovery and
the one about 5 years ago is like the difference between night and day.

My search on the web for information on hernia recovery advice was very disappointing - so I'm
posting this in hopes that it will help some folks to have a speedy recovery with minimal pain.

I'd enjoy reading comments from others who have had inguinal hernia operations and think that others
who will be getting an IH operation would too.

Disclaimer: Since I'm NOT a medical professional - I think it's best if I encourage you to check
with your physician to get his/her professioanl opinion before following any of the suggestions in
this message. What you do or don't do doing the recovery period is very important - so for your own
good, please make sure that you give it the consideration that it deserves.

All the best,

BRW

================

www.commondreams.org and www.democracynow.org = two good American sources for national and
international news without a bunch of corporate spin.

==================

The World Teacher's Top Two Priorities (inspire mankind to...) Share the world's resources & Restore
the earth's ecological balance http://www.share-international.org

BRW,

Thanks for that recovery story. I know it will help many people wondering and recovering from the
same experience. As a licensed physical therapist I am a bit disappointed but not shocked that your
first surgery did not include at least having a P.T. come and give you discharge recommendations
before leaving the hospital. Putting your hand over the incision before coughing is a technique
called splinting, except we advise hugging a pillow to your abdomen while coughing, sneezing, going
from sit to stand or stand to sit, etc. Basically, any movement that is going to require your
abdominal muscles to work would be appropriate for splinting. Also, Trying not to stay in bed for
undue periods of time is proper advice. Cardiac bypass patients are out of bed within a couple of
days if all things go well!

If you're looking for a hospital that specializes in hernia repair and provides some good online
advice, check out http://www.shouldice.com/

Thanks again for sharing. Bob Schroedter, MSPT

"BRW" <BRWatson@yahoo.net> wrote in message news:ai9210t2ek9nvg4cgpksmgg9pths7hks8v@4ax.com...
> I just had my second inguinal hernia repair day before yesterday. I'm a 47 yo male and with the
> exception of the hernia and about 20 lbs of excess baggage (fat) am in very good health - ie: no
> other health problems or defiencies. The first operation was about 5 years ago and was on the
> right side.
>
> Chopping firewood and the heavy lifting apparently brought on the second hernia which was on my
> left side.For both operations they cut an incision and put synthetic mesh in to block the
> intestine and prevent it from pushing into the groin area.
>
> For both operations the doctors didn't have much of anything to say in regards to the recovery
> period except -"take it easy; don't exercise for a few weeks, and be sure not to lift anything
> that weighs more than 10 LBS.: for several weeks.
>
> Recovering from the first surgery was my first intensive introduction to PAIN and I now know, that
> it did not have to be that way! I was in bed for several days and everytime I had to get up out of
> bed to go to the bathroom, i experienced excruciating pain - it felt like acid was being poured on
> my groin area.
>
> Taking a leak wasn't a problem, it was getting my carcass out of bed that hurt so much. There was
> no pain while lying in bed. I'm usually fairly active physically, so for me this was hell. I
> falsly assumed that I was supposed to spend the first few days after the operation lying in bed -
> "taking it easy" -
>
> Don't make that mistake. STAY OUT OF BED - except during your normal sleeping hours... that is
> unless your doctor specifically tells you otherwise and move around - don't sit still for more
> than an hour or two at a time.
>
> THE BEST ADVICE
>
> The recovery room nurse for the second operation told me that the best way to minimize pain and to
> speed up the recovery would be to STAY UP, TO MOVE AROUND FREQUENTLY and TO STAY OUT OF BED as
> much as possible
>
> He said to eat regular meals, to take walks, to sit up, to move around frequently, and to stay
> out of bed except for the normal 6-8 hours of sleep time at night. He also said to take the meds
> as needed
> - typically for the first 2 to 4 days. After that you should find that the need for them starts to
> taper off. Of course people recovering from these surgeries are not supposed to do any heavy
> lifting or running for a few weeks.
>
> After a night's sleep - the meds have worn off and without them - for at least the first couple of
> nights, getting out of bed would involve a lot of pain. So I've been taking a couple of the
> painkillers prescribed to me, in bed about 20 mins before I get out of bed.
>
> The recovery room nurse also told me to put my hand over the incision and gently/firmly press
> there before coughing, and to hold my hand there when walking if desired to provide additional
> support. I'm doing that some of the time and it does seem to be helping.
>
> He also said taking deep breaths every now and then, would help accelerate the healing - by
> increasing the oxygen intake.
>
> Also, you'll probably be walking slowly and like an old man (or woman) for a few days, but don't
> worry, that too will pass. You should get a little bit better every day.
>
> ================
>
> My surgery was at 9 am Wed morning and I was home at 4 pm the same day. I walked around a bit
> outside and inside and then took a nap for about an hour, got up and ate a light dinner, and
> walked around for about half an hour. I was up moving around the house - reading, computer, and tv
> that night til about 11 pm. Yesterday I did light chores around the house, and spent some time
> reading and writing.
>
> I've been following the recovery room nurse's advice carrying on at home as I normally do on days
> off, except there's been no lifting of anything over 10 lbs. The operation was abou 48 hours ago
> -and I feel great. I will be back at work on Monday. The difference between the present recovery
> and the one about 5 years ago is like the difference between night and day.
>
> My search on the web for information on hernia recovery advice was very disappointing - so I'm
> posting this in hopes that it will help some folks to have a speedy recovery with minimal pain.
>
> I'd enjoy reading comments from others who have had inguinal hernia operations and think that
> others who will be getting an IH operation would too.
>
> Disclaimer: Since I'm NOT a medical professional - I think it's best if I encourage you to check
> with your physician to get his/her professioanl opinion before following any of the suggestions in
> this message. What you do or don't do doing the recovery period is very important - so for your
> own good, please make sure that you give it the consideration that it deserves.
>
> All the best,
>
> BRW
>
> ================
>
> www.commondreams.org and www.democracynow.org = two good American sources for national and
> international news without a bunch of corporate spin.
>
> ==================
>
> The World Teacher's Top Two Priorities (inspire mankind to...) Share the world's resources &
> Restore the earth's ecological balance http://www.share-international.org

Thanks for the pillow/splinting info -that does help. It seems criminal for doctors not to
thoroughly address the recovery period.They should at least to tell tell their patients that they
need to see a PT to discuss their recovery - before they go under the blade -

On Sat, 24 Jan 2004 11:57:58 -0500, "Bob Schroedter" <schr7460@bellsouth.net> wrote:

>BRW,
>
>Thanks for that recovery story. I know it will help many people wondering and recovering from the
>same experience. As a licensed physical therapist I am a bit disappointed but not shocked that your
>first surgery did not include at least having a P.T. come and give you discharge recommendations
>before leaving the hospital. Putting your hand over the incision before coughing is a technique
>called splinting, except we advise hugging a pillow to your abdomen while coughing, sneezing, going
>from sit to stand or stand to sit, etc. Basically, any movement that is going to require your
>abdominal muscles to work would be appropriate for splinting. Also, Trying not to stay in bed for
>undue periods of time is proper advice. Cardiac bypass patients are out of bed within a couple of
>days if all things go well!
>
>If you're looking for a hospital that specializes in hernia repair and provides some good online
>advice, check out http://www.shouldice.com/
>
>Thanks again for sharing. Bob Schroedter, MSPT
>
>
>"BRW" <BRWatson@yahoo.net> wrote in message news:ai9210t2ek9nvg4cgpksmgg9pths7hks8v@4ax.com...
>> I just had my second inguinal hernia repair day before yesterday. I'm a 47 yo male and with the
>> exception of the hernia and about 20 lbs of excess baggage (fat) am in very good health - ie: no
>> other health problems or defiencies. The first operation was about 5 years ago and was on the
>> right side.
>>
>> Chopping firewood and the heavy lifting apparently brought on the second hernia which was on my
>> left side.For both operations they cut an incision and put synthetic mesh in to block the
>> intestine and prevent it from pushing into the groin area.
>>
>> For both operations the doctors didn't have much of anything to say in regards to the recovery
>> period except -"take it easy; don't exercise for a few weeks, and be sure not to lift anything
>> that weighs more than 10 LBS.: for several weeks.
>>
>> Recovering from the first surgery was my first intensive introduction to PAIN and I now know,
>> that it did not have to be that way! I was in bed for several days and everytime I had to get up
>> out of bed to go to the bathroom, i experienced excruciating pain - it felt like acid was being
>> poured on my groin area.
>>
>> Taking a leak wasn't a problem, it was getting my carcass out of bed that hurt so much. There was
>> no pain while lying in bed. I'm usually fairly active physically, so for me this was hell. I
>> falsly assumed that I was supposed to spend the first few days after the operation lying in bed -
>> "taking it easy" -
>>
>> Don't make that mistake. STAY OUT OF BED - except during your normal sleeping hours... that is
>> unless your doctor specifically tells you otherwise and move around - don't sit still for more
>> than an hour or two at a time.
>>
>> THE BEST ADVICE
>>
>> The recovery room nurse for the second operation told me that the best way to minimize pain and
>> to speed up the recovery would be to STAY UP, TO MOVE AROUND FREQUENTLY and TO STAY OUT OF BED as
>> much as possible
>>
>> He said to eat regular meals, to take walks, to sit up, to move around frequently, and to stay
>> out of bed except for the normal 6-8 hours of sleep time at night. He also said to take the meds
>> as needed
>> - typically for the first 2 to 4 days. After that you should find that the need for them starts
>> to taper off. Of course people recovering from these surgeries are not supposed to do any heavy
>> lifting or running for a few weeks.
>>
>> After a night's sleep - the meds have worn off and without them - for at least the first couple
>> of nights, getting out of bed would involve a lot of pain. So I've been taking a couple of the
>> painkillers prescribed to me, in bed about 20 mins before I get out of bed.
>>
>> The recovery room nurse also told me to put my hand over the incision and gently/firmly press
>> there before coughing, and to hold my hand there when walking if desired to provide additional
>> support. I'm doing that some of the time and it does seem to be helping.
>>
>> He also said taking deep breaths every now and then, would help accelerate the healing - by
>> increasing the oxygen intake.
>>
>> Also, you'll probably be walking slowly and like an old man (or woman) for a few days, but don't
>> worry, that too will pass. You should get a little bit better every day.
>>
>> ================
>>
>> My surgery was at 9 am Wed morning and I was home at 4 pm the same day. I walked around a bit
>> outside and inside and then took a nap for about an hour, got up and ate a light dinner, and
>> walked around for about half an hour. I was up moving around the house - reading, computer, and
>> tv that night til about 11 pm. Yesterday I did light chores around the house, and spent some time
>> reading and writing.
>>
>> I've been following the recovery room nurse's advice carrying on at home as I normally do on days
>> off, except there's been no lifting of anything over 10 lbs. The operation was abou 48 hours ago
>> -and I feel great. I will be back at work on Monday. The difference between the present recovery
>> and the one about 5 years ago is like the difference between night and day.
>>
>> My search on the web for information on hernia recovery advice was very disappointing - so I'm
>> posting this in hopes that it will help some folks to have a speedy recovery with minimal pain.
>>
>> I'd enjoy reading comments from others who have had inguinal hernia operations and think that
>> others who will be getting an IH operation would too.
>>
>> Disclaimer: Since I'm NOT a medical professional - I think it's best if I encourage you to check
>> with your physician to get his/her professioanl opinion before following any of the suggestions
>> in this message. What you do or don't do doing the recovery period is very important - so for
>> your own good, please make sure that you give it the consideration that it deserves.
>>
>> All the best,
>>
>> BRW
>>
>> ================
>>
>> www.commondreams.org and www.democracynow.org = two good American sources for national and
>> international news without a bunch of corporate spin.
>>
>> ==================
>>
>> The World Teacher's Top Two Priorities (inspire mankind to...) Share the world's resources &
>> Restore the earth's ecological balance http://www.share-international.org

[QUOTE]Originally posted by Brw
[B]I just had my second inguinal hernia repair day before yesterday.

I'm scheduled for an operation on April 1. It's also an inguinal hernia on my left side. I had a umbilical hernia repaired back in the early 80s but have only a dim memory of how that went. My main question is whether or not I'll be able to drive home from the surgery or if I should arrange for someone else to drive me. I have a pretty high tolerance level for pain. (Did deep breathing for a wisdom tooth extraction and had several teeth drilled and refilled without any anaesthetic) My only concern is whether or not there would be some risk for disruption of the screen or tearinig of any stitches.