[Closed] I've got a hernia, any advice?

You'll find everyone's experience is different - there are hernias and hernias and hernias - all sorts that pop up in all sorts of places in various stages of hernia-iness. What your recovery time will be like will depend a lot on the surgeons you have locally and the procedures they use, each will have their own approach depending on where and when they trained.

There is also the unexpected - my hernia - a periumbilical ( don't think I'm dynamic enough to get a sport-induced one) is commonly treated with keyhole surgery - its referred to a perambulatory surgery in the sense that you walk into the hospital in the morning and walk back out after surgery in the afternoon (looking a bit monged)

But - I had to sign two consent forms one for the keyhole and one for old school hatchet work - thats because as much as they'd prefer the keyhole approach the surgeon can't be sure its a suitable or safe procedure til they get inside - weirdness in your anatomy, adhesions (your puddings being stuck to the wall of your abdomen) and damage to your puddings as they work - any of these things mean bigger surgery and a much longer recovery - you won't be leaving the hospital for days and will be a long time recovering. With the keyhole type surgery the repair is pretty much full strength from the word go - it only discomfort that limits you. With more conventional surgery it takes time for the repair to be strong so your activities are much more heavily curtailed - I've even seen advice not to raise your voice whilst in recovery.

For me I shuffled out of the hospital just after lunchtime. It took me a long time to get over the effects of the anaesthetic - sick and bewildered for 5 days or so, and could get quite fatigued quickly for a week after that too. One my feet but moving pretty gingerly for a couple of weeks - getting more mobile in until pretty much brand new at 4-5 weeks, for about as long again I could feel little pin pricks where the repair is when doing anything strenuous.

At the time there was a guaranteed maximum waiting time of 12 weeks - with the option to get in sooner on a cancelation. Knowing this I was able to put myself on the list 3 months before christmas - I'm self employed and xmas is dead month for me so it limited my losses.

However - That was just before someone had the bright idea of not quite voting in a tory government - what the waiting times are like just now I don't know, my mums been waiting 6 months just to get a [u]date[/u] for an operation

Thanks Mac

That's pretty much what I expected. Keyhole would be nice, but if they have to do it properly then so be it. I've been advised that either way I'd be in and out in a morning, it's just the recovery time that's affected - keyhole being better.

Having had a bit of a scout about on the webternet it looks like I have a 2-3 month wait until I go under the knife. Not too bad I suppose and I'm still able to play sport in the meantime as I've caught it reasonably early.

Did you have to do much rehab work, or was it just a case of rest and recovery?

had keyhole in groin and recovery took best part 8weeks - 1st week or so painful getting in/out bed and walking after a couple of weeks going out walking but avoiding any routes with stiles!

6 weeks before got on bike after that ok if a bit sore for a couple of weeks but prob 3 months before any sort of sit up type excercise and probably 6 before anything exciting liking hanging knee raises or front levers without any i shouldn't be doing this twinges

GP told me not to run/cycle before op - Specialist was fine with anything

Afte op i specifically remember being told not to move stuff like paving slabs - so that one job off the list 🙂

Good luck

I had keyhole in January, op at 10, home by 7. Took it easy for a week and was back on the bike in 4 weeks. My surgeon was a cyclist so understood the cycling implications.

Thanks guys.

Were any of your op's for sports hernias repaired with mesh?

Had same.
Given 12 weeks lead time.
Called in after 2 because of a cancellation.
Keyhole was dead easy, one night stay in.
Anesthetic no probs but they put me on temazepam as a pain killer - avaoid at all costs, knocked me sideways.
May have to go back as the op seems to have failed - this time it's a knife job.
Rehab was doing nothing, and I mean nothing, was told not even to lift a full kettle for 2 weeks and nothing more for 6.
Fitness went West, just getting it back now after 7 months.

I do quite a few sportsmen, rugby players to racing drivers. With a laparoscopic approach they are usually back training in 2-3 weeks and full activity in 4 or 5. Its a daycase procedure.

Inguinal hernia repaired with mesh - probably caused by coughing!

Did you have to do much rehab work, or was it just a case of rest and recovery?

Wasn't advised to do anything to rehabilitate - advice was "if it hurts stop doing it". My concerns were more worky than sporty as my work can involve a fair bit of heavy lifting and shifting. Once I got busy again the repair itself wasn't much of a concern but I seemed to be susceptible to back strain, trapped nerves and the like - perhaps partly because of the time I had rested up for (I always seem to jigger myself after a layup) and maybe for a while I was carrying myself differently, subconsciously wanting to not strain the repair

Had three Hernias in two years. One Inguinal and two Paraunbilicals (Abdomen).

First unbilical was with East Lancashire NHS waited 9 weeks from seeing my gp i took 4 weeks off and then two week light duties at work.

Inguinal 8 weeks with Salford Royal Hospital, 8 weeks recovery time.

Second Unbilical initially with Bolton nhs, saw the gp in may 2010, was given a Operation date of March 2011, went back to the gp who sorted out to get it done private with my insurance, this took two weeks to sort out.

Recovery time was 12 weeks as it was quite a big wound and job, was a 5 inch incision. Was in 4 days as i ended up with a chest infection which affected my recovery.

All were done open surgery with mesh. Do not lift anything for two weeks, not even if you think its ok to. Then on the third week a light bag of shopping and the 6th week i was riding my motorbike again.

So far it holds nicely, still twinges painfully tho sometimes now because of scar tissue tho.

I had a Hernia repaired with mesh as well. It was really sore for just over a week, I went back to work and was careful (not lifting too much) in just under two weeks and was back on my bike in about four weeks.

I have had no problems with the repair, I have not lost any flexibility, and after the years have past you can hardly see the scar.

I was told similar to MacCruiskeen, as in I would not damage the repair, but just to listen to my body and be sensible. You should try to keep moving though, I think it helped me a lot.

That all sounds fairly positive.

I've not got any pain with lifting at the moment, but it looks as though I'll be resting up from everything for a little while afterwards.

Just looking forward to being able to side step properly for the first time in months!

Had keyhole for mine.

Never gave me any pain, just looked and felt really odd.

Super quick referral from the GP which was impressive, 5-6 weeks from memory. A bit 'production line' at the hospital but very professional etc.
They gave me some seriously strong liquid painkiller afterwards. Gave me an insight into the world of the opiate addict (no brick dust in mine though). On a serious note, I thought it was way too strong, pleasant for a day or so but disconcerting after a while, very, very strong.

The only real pain was from the trapped gas from the keyhole, hurts like hell in the shoulders, very strange feeling but didn't last.

The most bizarre aspect was moving house, going to a residents' meeting after the first few weeks in the new place and realising that the guy that did my surgery is a neighbour.....think about it.....hernia....certain area of the body......surgery......

Cheers 154, I might have to request this liquid painkiller....

My GP referred me straight to a scan (rather than seeing a specialist as it seems an obvious diagnosis) with surgery to follow. Is that how it's worked for everyone else?

I had an inguinal hernia repaired with mesh at Trafford General about 13 years ago. I was out and about in days, really quite surprised at the short recovery time. If I recall I was down the gym within 4 weeks for light workout, stretching.

I do know it's there though, I sometimes have a a little bit of a weird feeling (dysesthesia) in the general area even though I had the op long ago, but it's never given me any real trouble and I've been very active over that time.

You've got nowt to worry about.

Had regular surgery on mine...with mesh. Had the operation in a posh,Private Clinic,courtesy of the NHS.Went home immediately after the op,a bit sore for a few days. Thankfully,there have been no repercussions.