Author Topic: Inguinal Hernia  (Read 39998 times)

hellymedic

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Re: Hernia Repair Operation
« Reply #25 on: 08 June, 2011, 09:46:04 pm »
These tools are no good as tyre levers. They are tweezer like devices designed to reshape staples from [__] shaped to \/\/ IYSWIM. You're better off with spoons...

Re: Hernia Repair Operation
« Reply #26 on: 08 June, 2011, 09:48:37 pm »
These tools are no good as tyre levers. They are tweezer like devices designed to reshape staples from [__] shaped to \/\/ IYSWIM. You're better off with spoons...

GWS Tim  :thumbsup:

Re: Hernia Repair Operation
« Reply #27 on: 08 June, 2011, 11:10:51 pm »
It's essentially got a waterproofish dressing on it, so as I understand it, a shower is OK, but as you say avoiding getting the dressing too wet is a good idea. 

Cling-film and duct tape.
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Re: Hernia Repair Operation
« Reply #28 on: 09 June, 2011, 06:22:06 am »
It's essentially got a waterproofish dressing on it, so as I understand it, a shower is OK, but as you say avoiding getting the dressing too wet is a good idea. 

Cling-film and duct tape.

Sounds like the making of a dodgy film.........

You'll be missed on the night rides Tim.

Hope Talisker is OK and take it easy.
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Wowbagger

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Re: Hernia Repair Operation
« Reply #29 on: 09 June, 2011, 07:28:03 am »
I'll echo the good wishes and the advice to take it easy for as long as...

Do they say there's any limit to you r alcohol consumption? Perhaps you could acquire a bottle of Talisker.
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Re: Hernia Repair Operation
« Reply #30 on: 09 June, 2011, 11:27:22 am »
I think I'm OK as regards booze, excepting one of the stronger painkillers, which says you should avoid alcohol with it (phrased strongly enough that it's quite a bit more than just advice).  Since I've barely used the painkillers, I don't think that'll be an issue.

I've got at least two bottles of Talisker, plus random other hard stuff.  I don't actually drink Whisky that heavily, I more partake of it moderately for pleasure.

The fridge also has enough beer in it, that the glass shelf that it's all on, is actually slightly bending under the weight!
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simonp

Re: Hernia Repair Operation
« Reply #31 on: 09 June, 2011, 06:19:20 pm »
It sounds like you're in better shape than I was post-op.  Was yours keyhole in the end?  Mine wasn't and the recovery is probably a bit harder in the initial stages.  I stopped the painkillers within 36h though as they were dodgy on my stomach.

Or maybe you're just more well 'ard than me.  :)

Biggsy

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Re: Hernia Repair Operation
« Reply #32 on: 09 June, 2011, 06:32:24 pm »
Glad you're ok, Tim.

My Dad is due for a op soonish.  The inguinal hernia is shockingly large - so bad that it's causing groin soreness.

How straightforward will it be for an 85-year-old?  I'm worried enough about the general anesthetic, though his heart rate and blood pressure tend to be very good for his age.
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jane

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Re: Hernia Repair Operation
« Reply #33 on: 09 June, 2011, 06:44:45 pm »
Hi Tim, only just seen all this. Hope you and Talisker get back to your normal routine soon. Glad the op went well and you are not in too much pain.

Re: Hernia Repair Operation
« Reply #34 on: 09 June, 2011, 06:48:29 pm »
I'm not exactly sure what is defined as keyhole, the incision is something like 4 or 5 inches long, so not huge, but I don't think it's tiny either.

Oddly the worst bruising seems to be on the side of my thigh, and I can't work out why there would be a bruise there.  I suspect it's something ancillary to the process rather than directly related to the operation (or they dropped me at some point!)

My hernia was occasionally causing some pain, which is mainly why I went to my Doctor about it.  A handful of times it was actually very painful, although admittedly very rarely. On a few more occasions it was just annoying, roughly like mild indigestion, but sitting down could be enough to relieve it.  Post operation pain is substantially less than the hernia itself was on some occasions, so definitely a win!

Talisker is happily back to normal, I picked him up earlier, and aside from him being annoyed at travelling on a bus, he's back to his normal self ie complaining when I don't feed him fast enough, and snoozing in the back garden.
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Kim

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Re: Hernia Repair Operation
« Reply #35 on: 09 June, 2011, 07:00:10 pm »
Oddly the worst bruising seems to be on the side of my thigh, and I can't work out why there would be a bruise there.

Grounding pad for diathermy usually goes on the thigh.  Maybe they slapped it on a bit enthusiastically?


Quote
Post operation pain is substantially less than the hernia itself was on some occasions, so definitely a win!

And yet it's afterwards they deem to give you a barrowload of painkillers.  It was like that with my gall bladder.   :facepalm:

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Re: Hernia Repair Operation
« Reply #36 on: 09 June, 2011, 07:20:07 pm »
Maybe they sat on your thigh to stop it twitching  ;D
It is simpler than it looks.

Re: Hernia Repair Operation
« Reply #37 on: 09 June, 2011, 07:36:26 pm »
Quote
Post operation pain is substantially less than the hernia itself was on some occasions, so definitely a win!
And yet it's afterwards they deem to give you a barrowload of painkillers.  It was like that with my gall bladder.   :facepalm:

To be fair, I never complained to my GP or the surgeon about the pain.  It was mentioned, but it was infrequent enough that I wasn't overly worried about it reoccurring.

If I remember, I'll ask the practice nurse what was likely to have caused the bruising.  Most nurses will have seen enough previous cases to be able to at least make a suggestion.
Actually, it is rocket science.
 

simonp

Re: Hernia Repair Operation
« Reply #38 on: 09 June, 2011, 07:39:03 pm »
My op re-used the same incision from an op I had in 1988.  It’s likely the fact I had surgery predisposed me to herniation.  It’s the same length of incision as yours, roughly, and I know mine was open surgery.

I didn’t have any external stitches with mine, it was a very high quality job and the re-used incision is less visible than the original op was by far.  Given the location it’s hardly a cosmetic issue though.

I was in far more pain post-op (a fair bit) than pre-op (a little discomfort when cycling in tight trousers, or slouching in them).  The doc wasn’t sure it was a hernia and in fact it was only a slight giving way of the muscle.  Surgery was only suggested because being active it would likely progress to a full hernia.

Re: Hernia Repair Operation
« Reply #39 on: 09 June, 2011, 08:23:19 pm »
Glad to hear it's going well, I hope it keeps on the same.

hellymedic

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Re: Hernia Repair Operation
« Reply #40 on: 10 June, 2011, 12:17:43 am »
Glad you're ok, Tim.

My Dad is due for a op soonish.  The inguinal hernia is shockingly large - so bad that it's causing groin soreness.

How straightforward will it be for an 85-year-old?  I'm worried enough about the general anesthetic, though his heart rate and blood pressure tend to be very good for his age.

My Dad was 79 80 when he had his done last year.
He was not too bad after the first 2-3 days but suffered a wound infection after a week. It was about a month or six weeks before the general fatigue, weariness and weakness wore off.
Dad's hernia was big and complicated. He's otherwise fit. Obviously YDMMV but I was not too surprised at the course of events.

Re: Hernia Repair Operation
« Reply #41 on: 16 June, 2011, 04:13:15 pm »
Aside from resting, and not doing any heavy lifting or exercise, I'm hopefully now done with the medical professionals.  The nurse at my GP just took all the staples out, thirteen as it turned out (I guessed there were a dozen when talking to the receptionist earlier in the week, so pretty close!)  That was probably the most painful part of the entire process, but it was minimally annoying.

I forgot to ask her what the bruising on my side was, mainly because it's pretty much entirely gone.  In fact, most of the bruising has gone, although I suspect there's still some internal bruising, since it can very occasionally feel slightly annoying, although less now than last week, so it's clearly getting better.

So, just under 51 days and 8 hours, and I can be back on my bikes.  I'm being conservative and waiting two months from the operation.  Various people have said eight weeks and six weeks, so I'm going with the more conservative period, and actually saying two months instead of eight weeks.  I really don't want to do it all again!
Actually, it is rocket science.
 

Cycling with a Hernia
« Reply #42 on: 06 August, 2011, 08:14:45 pm »
Just been diagnosed as having a hernia - Should I continue cycling regardless?  Any words of caution?

Biggsy

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Re: Cycling with a Hernia
« Reply #43 on: 06 August, 2011, 08:16:11 pm »
What sort of hernia?
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Re: Cycling with a Hernia
« Reply #44 on: 07 August, 2011, 07:41:38 pm »
Good question... How many types are there? it's located on the RHS of the pubic bone / groin area -it's not too painful at the moment & it isn't as swollen as it was a week ago when I felt something ' go'  - My local GP was a new chap who turned out to be a cyclist & we soon got sidetracked talking about classic bikes !   - I think I might have to hang the fixie up as I suspect a couple of the hills I grind up on the commute will cause further strain in the area.
Will be seeing a specialist at the end of the month.

Biggsy

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Re: Cycling with a Hernia
« Reply #45 on: 07 August, 2011, 08:06:04 pm »
I just asked the question about the type of hernia to possibly help someone else to help you.   I don't know anything about cycling with hernias myself.

There are many types.  See http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hernia

My elderly dad has a double scrotal inguinal hernia that gradually has become huge.  He's due for an operation.  He's a non-cyclist, but wouldn't be able to cycle if he tried.

They don't always need operating and don't necessarily cause problems - but you have to watch for them getting larger.  THere's a danger of bad ones strangulating - an emergency situaton.
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Re: Cycling with a Hernia
« Reply #46 on: 08 August, 2011, 11:39:45 am »
I have a small one in pubic bone / groin area.  I've had it for > 10 years, doesn't stop me cycling only hurts after a very long day walking, and is then alleviated by holding it in.

I hold it in if I cough, otherwise it's not a problem.

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Hernia Recovery
« Reply #47 on: 05 January, 2012, 06:09:03 pm »
Obviously I'll take medical advice but....

Scheduled for a hernia repair at the weekend. What's the recovery like?  And the most important question, how long typically before I can ride again?

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Re: Hernia Recovery
« Reply #48 on: 05 January, 2012, 07:08:41 pm »
Hey, I'm in tomorrow morning for a paraumbilical hernia repair so I shall be watching this thread.

Good luck with your op + recovery
I'm gonna limp to the pub and drink 'til the rest of me is as numb as my arse.

hellymedic

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Re: Hernia Recovery
« Reply #49 on: 05 January, 2012, 07:40:41 pm »
Good luck and best wishes for a speedy recovery to both of you.
There are many variables, such as size, site and duration of hernia, surgical technique used for repair and technical difficulty making repair that make it unwise to generalise.
Think 1-2 weeks to heal the skin and 4-6 weeks to get back on the bike. YMMV!
Take your surgeon's advice as s/he will know most about your hernia.