I AM NOT A DOCTOR, THIS IS NONPROFESSIONAL ADVICE AND COMMENTARY
Thanks for the post, it started a great place for people to learn about how to prepare, and how to gauge their recovery.
I just went in for an inguinal hernia repair, here's the specs:
Age:25
Body: 5'7" 140 lbs, healthy and fit
Surgery: Left inguinal hernia repair
Repair type: Incision, full anesthesia, with absorbable mesh and "plug"
Surgery duration: less than 2 hours
Recovery: Read on
I had the hernia for 2 years, didn't bother me too much. Climbed, hiked, biked, backpacked, skated, jogged, and all that other good stuff, didn't really affect me. With good diet (high fiber, smaller portions) it didn't evert too much. Big meals followed by standing up in a bar drinking out of a pitcher was a fail-safe way to make the hernia noticeable. On November 7th, 2013, I had it repaired. I read this post the night before, which helped my recovery thus far.
Day -2: Stopped drinking alcohol. Ate more roughage.
Day -1: No alcohol, no meat. All salad and fruit the day before. Nothing by mouth after midnight (no food or water)
Day 0: Got to the doc's at 0900. Got prepped for surgery. IV with antibiotic solution. Received a dose of something very relaxing about 10 minutes prior to surgery. Feel like a good, calm buzz. Put a smile on my face, that's for sure. Got wheeled away to the operating room around 1045, received full anesthesia.
1230: Came to in recovery room. Everything was spinning, felt like being cross-faded in my college years. That wore off pretty quick actually. Tenderness in the repair area. Pain 2/10.
1240: Took one hydrocodone/acetaminophen (NORCO). Drank .25mL water, 6oz of jello. Got wheeled down to my parents car, and was driven home. HAVE A DRIVER!
1445: Threw up just before I got to their place. Probably from the anesthesia. Tried to support the repair site as I yacked. Pain jumped to maybe a 5/10.
1530: Took 600mg Ibuprophen to prevent swelling. 1L water. 4oz prune juice. Ate some shredded wheat cereal dry. Walked 100m. Rested on the couch.
1600: 1 NORCO, 1 Docusate/Colace. Some water and shredded wheat.
1830: Had 1 cup of cooked quinoa. 5oz prune juice. .25L water.
1900: Walked. Sat at computer.
1930: Threw up again, knew it was coming.
2000: Rested and iced.
2050: Tortilla chips and saltines, probably should have started with this instead.
2100: 600mg Ibuprophen.
2230: Resting. First urination after surgery. Took 1 docusate and 1 NORCO.
2245: Went to bed, laying on my back. Elevated my testicles with a shirt between my legs to prevent the swelling I read about.
Day 1: 0300- Woke up to pee, took 400mg Ibuprophen. Full bowl of shredded wheat for breakfast with almond milk. Took Ibuprophen on regular but decreasing intervals to prevent swelling. Had docusate/colace twice a day with meals. Quinoa and yogurt for dinner. Bowl movement in the evening went well. Went on a few walks. One was up and down hills and a VERY steep driveway. Iced after walks with frozen corn.
Day 2: Shredded wheat and almond milk breakfast. Ibuprophen throughout the day. NO NORCOs. 2 Docusate. Went on a few walks, up and down hills. Iced after walks and during resting/TV time. Taped off area and showered.
Day 3: Smaller dosages of Ibuprophen (400mg in the AM, 200mg in the afternoon, 400mg before bed). Went on a regular paced walk, powered up steep hills, took it easy on the downhills. Can jog lightly and sprint up staircase. Iced a few times. Still haven't got the swollen nuts, hoping I won't get em!
That's where I'm at now. If anything significant happens, I'll repost!
IN SHORT:
Eat healthy the week before, get good exercise, and eat plenty of fiber the days before.
Have a driver pick you up. Be ready to throw-up, I've got a strong stomach but the twisty roads and the anesthesia made me yack. No fun.
Take a stool softener the first few days after surgery, it'll help everything slide out without pushing. DON'T push. Sneezing and coughing hurts, try to press against the area when you do.
Get out and walk around, increase as you feel more comfortable. Ice several times a day with something that conforms/contours to your area. Wear supportive underwear.
Don't eat foods that will make you gassy/bubbly.
I had what I think was a great surgeon and medical staff. She had been practicing since 1997, and didn't tug on my tubes while operating. Minimal swelling, minimal pain, and quick recovery!
Thanks for the post, it started a great place for people to learn about how to prepare, and how to gauge their recovery.
I just went in for an inguinal hernia repair, here's the specs:
Age:25
Body: 5'7" 140 lbs, healthy and fit
Surgery: Left inguinal hernia repair
Repair type: Incision, full anesthesia, with absorbable mesh and "plug"
Surgery duration: less than 2 hours
Recovery: Read on
I had the hernia for 2 years, didn't bother me too much. Climbed, hiked, biked, backpacked, skated, jogged, and all that other good stuff, didn't really affect me. With good diet (high fiber, smaller portions) it didn't evert too much. Big meals followed by standing up in a bar drinking out of a pitcher was a fail-safe way to make the hernia noticeable. On November 7th, 2013, I had it repaired. I read this post the night before, which helped my recovery thus far.
Day -2: Stopped drinking alcohol. Ate more roughage.
Day -1: No alcohol, no meat. All salad and fruit the day before. Nothing by mouth after midnight (no food or water)
Day 0: Got to the doc's at 0900. Got prepped for surgery. IV with antibiotic solution. Received a dose of something very relaxing about 10 minutes prior to surgery. Feel like a good, calm buzz. Put a smile on my face, that's for sure. Got wheeled away to the operating room around 1045, received full anesthesia.
1230: Came to in recovery room. Everything was spinning, felt like being cross-faded in my college years. That wore off pretty quick actually. Tenderness in the repair area. Pain 2/10.
1240: Took one hydrocodone/acetaminophen (NORCO). Drank .25mL water, 6oz of jello. Got wheeled down to my parents car, and was driven home. HAVE A DRIVER!
1445: Threw up just before I got to their place. Probably from the anesthesia. Tried to support the repair site as I yacked. Pain jumped to maybe a 5/10.
1530: Took 600mg Ibuprophen to prevent swelling. 1L water. 4oz prune juice. Ate some shredded wheat cereal dry. Walked 100m. Rested on the couch.
1600: 1 NORCO, 1 Docusate/Colace. Some water and shredded wheat.
1830: Had 1 cup of cooked quinoa. 5oz prune juice. .25L water.
1900: Walked. Sat at computer.
1930: Threw up again, knew it was coming.
2000: Rested and iced.
2050: Tortilla chips and saltines, probably should have started with this instead.
2100: 600mg Ibuprophen.
2230: Resting. First urination after surgery. Took 1 docusate and 1 NORCO.
2245: Went to bed, laying on my back. Elevated my testicles with a shirt between my legs to prevent the swelling I read about.
Day 1: 0300- Woke up to pee, took 400mg Ibuprophen. Full bowl of shredded wheat for breakfast with almond milk. Took Ibuprophen on regular but decreasing intervals to prevent swelling. Had docusate/colace twice a day with meals. Quinoa and yogurt for dinner. Bowl movement in the evening went well. Went on a few walks. One was up and down hills and a VERY steep driveway. Iced after walks with frozen corn.
Day 2: Shredded wheat and almond milk breakfast. Ibuprophen throughout the day. NO NORCOs. 2 Docusate. Went on a few walks, up and down hills. Iced after walks and during resting/TV time. Taped off area and showered.
Day 3: Smaller dosages of Ibuprophen (400mg in the AM, 200mg in the afternoon, 400mg before bed). Went on a regular paced walk, powered up steep hills, took it easy on the downhills. Can jog lightly and sprint up staircase. Iced a few times. Still haven't got the swollen nuts, hoping I won't get em!
That's where I'm at now. If anything significant happens, I'll repost!
IN SHORT:
Eat healthy the week before, get good exercise, and eat plenty of fiber the days before.
Have a driver pick you up. Be ready to throw-up, I've got a strong stomach but the twisty roads and the anesthesia made me yack. No fun.
Take a stool softener the first few days after surgery, it'll help everything slide out without pushing. DON'T push. Sneezing and coughing hurts, try to press against the area when you do.
Get out and walk around, increase as you feel more comfortable. Ice several times a day with something that conforms/contours to your area. Wear supportive underwear.
Don't eat foods that will make you gassy/bubbly.
I had what I think was a great surgeon and medical staff. She had been practicing since 1997, and didn't tug on my tubes while operating. Minimal swelling, minimal pain, and quick recovery!