Inguinal Hernia Recovery

Anyone have experience recovering from a laparoscopic or open surgery to repair an inguinal hernia? I know I won't be able to climb hard for a while but will the surgery site be irritated by activities such as belaying?

Had one when I was 16. The doctor said I was likely born with a weaker inguinal wall tissue on that particular side and sports training had likely ruptured the tissue and caused the hernia. It was outpatient surgery and I remember being pretty tender for a few days, walking slow and moving slow. Couldn’t practice or play for about 6-8 weeks if I remember correctly. Probably wouldn’t recommend belaying or doing anything that puts pressure on your crotch for a couple months. But this was 20 years ago, so it’s likely a less invasive procedure with shorter recovery now. 

Thanks Michael. Was your surgery laparoscopic or open? Trying to weigh my options, hoping to cut down recovery time as belaying is a part of my side job.

I wish i knew for sure. I still have a scar about 2” long running horizontally just below my waistline, think it’s on the left. So I think it was open back then. Belaying off a tree or other anchor might be an option for you during recovery.
they put in a mesh i do remember that, and haven’t had any issues since. 

I had 2 massive ones (one on each side), and had mesh put in via open surgery. I'll be honest the recovery was pretty brutal, and was 3 weeks to a month before I was really able to leave the house and start trying to be normal again. It was 100% worth it though. I didn't take up climbing until years later, but they cause zero issues now aside from the occasional twinge of pain, but nothing serious.

There's a lot of discussion on hernias in the forums worth reviewing (I have one and was reviewing the surgery option last year).  From reading here and other outdoor sites (hunting, triathlon) the recovery is all over the board, from no problem to a year from resuming active activities, and I found that recovery from both laparoscopic and open surgeries are extremely variable.  My surgeon wouldn't give me any recommendations of whether or how, and this was 12 weeks before a 6 week remote canoe trip in northern Canada.   I know one fellow that has had a hernia for 9 years, and it's only noticeable when he's hiking downhill.  Mine is symptomless except for a slight bulge, so I have the "wait and see" attitude.  Good luck in your decision, and let us know the results.   

MP discussion search:    https://www.mountainproject.com/search?q=hernia&type=forums

I just had inguinal and umbilical robotic (not laparoscopic) surgery this morning and was told 6 weeks on recovery for the lift/pull/push weight limit but I’m going to ease back into the climbing after that and see how it feels. I’m expecting the abdominal area to be tight. I’m just glad I had the surgery because it put all my activities on hold since this past November.

hope you guys heal quickly with no issues.

Avram Neal wrote:

I had 2 massive ones (one on each side), and had mesh put in via open surgery. I'll be honest the recovery was pretty brutal, and was 3 weeks to a month before I was really able to leave the house and start trying to be normal again. It was 100% worth it though. I didn't take up climbing until years later, but they cause zero issues now aside from the occasional twinge of pain, but nothing serious.

This was about my experience, I had a surgery in 2008. I was pretty much in bed for a week, and wasnt allowed to lift anything heavier than a gallon of water for a month and not more than 20 lbs for 3 months if I remember correctly. I followed directions and today I have no issues with it.

Had mine - open, w/ mesh, L side - on Dec 22, walked out to the car straight out of procedure, was ridiculously careful for the first couple weeks, then remained vigilant about zero weight (lifting no object more than 5-10lbs) for almost two months. At the two month mark, I started doing body weight stuff, zero weight squats, dips, pushups off my knees, etc.

At the 12 week mark, I started lifting and running again, and recently got back on El Cap last week, everything feels great. 

Def felt some odd twinges in the first 2-3 weeks, even to the 4-5 week mark, would cause me a bit of concern but nothing bad, and none of those twinges ever turned into anything worse. I can’t help but think that being super cautious was a key to being able to get back on the horse, as I’m hitting it pretty hard right now, with no issue whatsoever.

I’m a week into recovery from a laparoscopic inguinal hernia surgery.  I’m not going to lie—I feel almost entirely healed up, aside from a few twinges here and there.  I had an open surgery 15 years ago on the opposite side, and I was right sideways for several weeks before I could even tie my shoes and go hiking.  

I have no inclination to begin climbing again for another 5 or 6 weeks (as per my doctor’s orders), but if I HAD to tie in and climb standard route on Whitehorse, I probably could! 

Same here. I felt like I could climb within about two weeks, but made damn sure I didn’t do diddly squat for two months, and didn’t start going hard until 3mos postop… 

TL, DR is “don’t fugg it up,” 1-2 extra months of recovery is well worth not having to go back in a fix it a second time (IMO).

The first doctor I saw wanted to perform an open surgery to repair my inguinal hernia. He said I would be out from work for 10 days and have a 2 to 3 month recovery. I was not impressed by this surgeon.

I did some research and found Dr. David Lourie in Pasadena. He said robotic surgery was the most accurate but agreed laparoscopic surgery has the same outcome.  I asked him how many laparoscopic surgeries he had performed. He said he lost count after 3,000. He performed a laparoscopic surgery on my inguinal hernia. I was back to work next day. Almost no pain after surgery. No pain meds. Only, one dose ibuprofen 4 hours after surgery. The only limitation was not to lift more than 20 pounds for 30 days. I was back climbing in 30 days. I could still trail run and hike right after surgery. 

Two years later the other side had a similar inguinal hernia. I went back to Dr Lourie. He said a proper repair requires robotic surgey to work around the scar tissue from the first laparoscopic surgery. Minor pain for a few days treated with ibuprofen. 30 days no lifting. Easy recovery.

Open surgery has higher risk of infection, complications, and recovery time IMHO.