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Hernia Surgery Anecdotes

Original Post
Chris Hara · · Atlanta, GA · Joined Dec 2012 · Points: 0

Hey all,

I have not had this formally diagnosed yet except by recent med school grads and recent PT school grads, but I believe that I have a hernia, likely inguinal, but possibly a sportsman's hernia.

I'm 28 years old presently.

Does anyone have anecdotes of hernia repair surgery and things like recovery time, quality of recovery, returns to hard climbing, etc?

Any insights would be appreciated whether you have had open hernia surgery or laparoscopic.

Thank you.

Duncan · · Seattle · Joined Feb 2010 · Points: 220

Get it seen NOW! The surgery is likely much liked described above unless something is seriously wrong ie it is "strangulated" then it could become emergent and you don't want that. Not many surgeons will go in open unless it gets complicated (rare). Don't "push it back in" or ignore it. Otherwise the above post nailed it.

Bill Czajkowski · · Albuquerque, NM · Joined Oct 2008 · Points: 20
Chris Hara wrote:Hey all, I have not had this formally diagnosed yet except by recent med school grads and recent PT school grads, but I believe that I have a hernia, likely inguinal, but possibly a sportsman's hernia. I'm 28 years old presently. Does anyone have anecdotes of hernia repair surgery and things like recovery time, quality of recovery, returns to hard climbing, etc? Any insights would be appreciated whether you have had open hernia surgery or laparoscopic. Thank you.
Had one done in my early 30s, it was a little uncomfortable sitting at a desk for some number of days after. Had the second one done around 40. Definitely preferable to the uncorrected problem. Had an odd combinatioin of soreness and numbness with the second one for a few months. It's fine now. Been about 15 years since the first, maybe eight since the second. After six weeks I started climbing again. I can't say I climb 5.13 but I'm pretty sure it's not because of the hernias.
BigB · · Red Rock, NV · Joined Feb 2015 · Points: 340

Shiiiit I had mine done on a fri and went for a light bike ride on sun. within a week was doing mild exercise. My surgeon said he had a guy have it done on a fri and was weight lifting on mon.
I also pushed mine back in several times over the next day by laying on my back and then pushing. F^cker was the size of a golf ball when it was popped thru.
Also my surgeon said nada about having it redone....
The black n blue balls was a trip though... Took a min to go away. Had fun with the missus though with it being bigger and darker ;)

flynn · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Feb 2002 · Points: 25

Hubby had an open repair of an old inguinal hernia that had just begun to pester him in earnest. The surgeon commented that some laparoscopic repairs come unstuck (10% to 20% in his facility, mostly within a couple of weeks postop), but open ones never had in his experience.

Hubby has recovered completely, and didn't suffer much at all right after the procedure, which was done out-patient, by the way. He was uncomfortable for awhile, but never needed the pain drugs they sent home with him. I made him take it easy for a couple of weeks: no firewood chores or shoveling snow, no vacuuming (yes, really), but climbing on our indoor wall didn't bother him at all.

Definitely get it fixed NOW. These things don't heal up on their own.

Chris Hara · · Atlanta, GA · Joined Dec 2012 · Points: 0

Dana, that would be great. I would like to read them. I'll check out eMedicine as well.

Thanks all for the responses. This is actually the first place where the responses have been positive in the majority.

Jim Fox · · Westminster, CO · Joined Jun 2014 · Points: 50

I had an inguinal hernia repaired laproscopically about a year ago at age 57.
I had it done on a Friday and went to work the following Monday.
The surgeon cleared me to resume full activity 2 weeks later (after a follow up visit). I lift weights several times a week and go heavy. The surgeon said it was no problem for me to go back to lifting 2 weeks after the surgery, which I did without any problems.
No issues after 1 year.

Craig T · · Chicago, IL · Joined Apr 2010 · Points: 0

So did you just go to a med school graduation party, drop trou, and have everyone feel you up? Either way, I hear its super easy to diagnose, so its likely you have it.

Mine was done the old school way (3-inch scars). 4-6 weeks of recovery to get back to normal life, longer to be back in athletic shape. Unless your surgeon is 90 years old, they won't do it this way, so you should be safe...

Chris Hara · · Atlanta, GA · Joined Dec 2012 · Points: 0
Craig T wrote:So did you just go to a med school graduation party, drop trou, and have everyone feel you up? Either way, I hear its super easy to diagnose, so its likely you have it. Mine was done the old school way (3-inch scars). 4-6 weeks of recovery to get back to normal life, longer to be back in athletic shape. Unless your surgeon is 90 years old, they won't do it this way, so you should be safe...
lol more or less, yes. Girlfriend is 4th year med student and friend of mine is a newly-graduated physical therapist.

I have some upcoming Dr. appointments so I'll get a formal opinion soon, but it's been worrying me so I decided to ask ya'll.

Will be sure not to use ~90 year old surgeon, ty.

@Jim Fox, that's great news, thanks!
JohnSol · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Sep 2015 · Points: 15

Well, OP alluded to some other responses which are more similar to my experience. Inguinal hernia laparoscopy mesh repair. Hurt like a bitch for couple days, moving slow for a few weeks. Doctor said I can't hurt the site, that it pain based. So maybe I'm just a pussy, although the post+op drugs were a little too good and I wasn't as careful as I should have been

Guideline #1: Don't be a jerk.

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