Hernia Surgery

[Matt400]

Anyone here had a Hernia Surgery?



I get to do that today and was curious about working afterwards. Doc says no work for 2 weeks and no heavy lifting for a month.

I am gonna take 12 days off and figured that should be enough. I work in the automotive field and not too sure if bending over the grill and pulling a water pump out of a Suburban will be doable when I go back to work.

 

[Grizzly]

Good luck to you on your surgery. Don't do anything you shouldn't do. Listen to your doctor. Speedy recovery.

 

[nps]

I've had both sides fiberglass reinforced. (not at the same time though)



My doc said nothing about work, but no driving for a week, and no heavy lifting for a month. First time I obeyed. Second time I was driving by the third day, but it was my left side (so I was using my right foot with an automatic).



Bending over won't be the issue. Lifting is. And the absolute worst thing is sneezing, followed by laughing. Then lets not forget about that memorable first dump (too late for you to purge with a laxative. I'd recommend you run down and get an enema right away!).



You'll be surprised at how much abuse your lower abdominal walls take on a regular basis once they are cut open and try to mend.



Take it easy - the last thing you want to have happen is to have to go through it again in a year because you tore it out too soon after the op.

 

[Matt400]

Bending over won't be the issue. Lifting is. And the absolute worst thing is sneezing, followed by laughing.

I was thinking how at work I put all my body weight on my stomach especially on tall trucks that might not feel to well, I will have to remember the laughing thing cuz my family is always joking about stuff.

the last thing you want to have happen is to have to go through it again in a year because you tore it out too soon after the op.

Ouch. . don't want to do that. I have a high deductible so most of it is all out of pocket anyway.

 

[RPotter]

I echo the remark to follow the doc's orders. I went back too soon, and it cost me 3 addl weeks of getting back to normal. Two weeks off, and a month of ease is exactly what is needed under normal circumstances.

 

[Buffalo]

I had it done back in '01 ( with the "fiberglass" re-inforcement (meshwork, like rebar to concrete).



I, completely, agree with what others have said. Take it easy so you don't have an "instant replay" of the surgery.



The discomfort I noticed was more like an "ache" than a sharp, stabbing pain. I found it was controlable with just Advil.



Getting out of bed may be a problem. Sitting up uses your abdominal muscles & that is what has been compromised. I found that having the handlebars from an exercycle right next to the bed REALLY helped in getting out of bed. Otherwise, you have to ROLL out of bed.



I, also, found that a Lazyboy type recliner was the most comfortable type of chair to sit in. You can rock it forward & it helps LAUNCH you out of the chair, so you don't have to use your abdominal muscles as much. I even spent a few nights sleeping in that chair.



The Doctor told me to stay away from work for at least 10 days. I had the surgery on a Friday afternoon & a week later, my employees were so far behind that I had to go back on Saturday. Worked a LONG day. I was a Dental Lab owner so a lot of the work was sitting at a bench. Sunday, I worked about 8 hours & finally it started to get to me & I had to go home. Monday, I started to feel better & was quite productive. As much as you want to, don't overdue it!!! I'd be VERY CAREFUL about bending over fenders & pulling heavy parts. My Doctor told me to take the necessary time to heal & that he did NOT want to have to do his work again, on me. He went on to say that the second time was MUCH worse than the first. That's all I needed to hear.



Best of luck with your surgery.



Joe F. (Buffalo)

 

[Rman]

I remember getting my appendix removed, that was interesting. I was playing baseball at the time, so hitting took me about 6-8 weeks get get my swing back. Good luck!

 

[fox]

Only you benefit from a correct recovery. Doctor doesn't.

 

[midlife crisis]

Oh Brother... do I remember that bout with "Man Pain"!! Was pulling a "little" 8kw genny out of a sportfisher... plank I was sliding it on broke- Bessy was heading for the bottom! Time to pull... and rrrriiiiiippp. Ouch!

My surgery involved a bigger incision, and more muscle repair (with staples) than most others I read about.

Take it easy Matt. . no lifting. I can remember "holding" myself when sneezing or coughing. Drink lots of water... helps for a easy BM... if ya catch my drift. Dont be afraid of painkillers for the first couple days... helps with the sleep and makes the time go quicker. - Quick recovery----Drew

 

[EMD Diesel Power]

Boy I would be completely screwed as for doing my job if I ever had to do this surgery.



Just about everything I do in my job is a no-no on the recovery list :-laf :-laf :-laf

 

[Matt400]

Thanks everyone for the info, I just got home and don't feel too bad but am still pretty drugged and will keep with prescription for a while.

Doc said they sew that patch to the bone. . I thought that was weird with the whole idea to keep the intestine behind muscles its poking through but I guess he knows. I am gonna go lay down now if I can stay away from the PC, I am suppose to ice the area.

 

[Matt400]

Boy I would be completely screwed as for doing my job if I ever had to do this surgery.



Just about everything I do in my job is a no-no on the recovery list :-laf :-laf :-laf

As you get older you might want to consider an extra insurance rider like AFLACK. Not sure how good that is but it sounds like something that would have been nice in my case. I work alone so when I stop so does the paycheck but not the bills which was my original concern when I posted.

 

[nps]

Well, Matt's been down for about 12 hours. Pain setting in? Hey Matt, have you read the joke thread lately! :-laf



My favorite goes like this - nah, I won't do that to you.

 

[Matt400]

Oh... yes, yesterday I felt much better. Now that the hospital drugs are gone I am left with vicodin which helps take the edge off but makes me sleepy.

I am not liking the aftermath. Reading up on the new chassis cab is interesting.

 

[crobertson1]

I had hernia surgery on Sept, 7 2001. I remember because Sept 11 was the first day I was going to back to work. I ended up staying home and wathcing TV in horror. I forgot all about my discomfort.



Before I had the repair done (with mesh), I had to occasionally push my guts back in. They would litterally make a bubble in my skin and then I'd push it back in for a while. I'll never forget the pain of trying to sit up after the pain killer wore off.



Matt, have fun and get well soon.

 

[Matt400]

Matt, have fun and get well soon.

Thanks, the vicodin makes me sick so I had to cut back on that, I would rather hurt than be sick. I watched the history channel today and they had Sep. 11th among other tragedies like Challenger and such. Those were some awful events.



I get to leave on Sat for a 2800 mile trip in my sons truck, that should be interesting. Wife will drive first 2 days and maybe more if I cant.

 

[Rescue Ram]

... the vicodin makes me sick so I had to cut back on that, I would rather hurt than be sick...

Amen, brother. The sickest I ever was happened while I was taking vicodin. I, too, chose the pain. I hope you have a speedy recovery.

 

[Grizzly]

How are you doing Matt? Hopefully much better by now. Get well soon.

 

[JLEONARD]

http://www.shouldice.com/



Anybody ever hear of this place?

 

[Matt400]

How are you doing Matt? Hopefully much better by now. Get well soon.

Not that great, thanks for asking.

The vicodin they prescribed makes me sick so I have to deal with the pain.

The doc that did the surgery is now on vacation so we are trying to get a different prescription from a stand in doctor but he is un available for another couple hours. I got the patch off now and I was a little surprised cuz they told me it would just be 2 small incisions but I have just one about 4" long and L shaped.



edit I found another incision, it was hard to see with the bruising, that one is kinda small- about 1/4 of the other one. I may post pone my trip another day. No go on different pain meds, tonight its back to vicodin with a Dramamine chaser!