I've herniated myself! Advice needed...
 

Had a right inguinal hernia as a kid (around 12 yo). Had it fixed...in hospital for a week (it was 35 years ago).

Noticed my symmetry was off a bit about a week ago. . .this time on the left side. No real pain, just some discomfort...especially when doing this http://www.pelicanparts.com/support/smileys/pain30.gif
Went to my internist who confirmed left inguinal hernia. Said I could wait and watch since adults rarely strangulate.

I live on the lake and do a good bit of wakeboarding, tubing, skiing, etc. But am a bit nervous of tearing something up with this little annoyance in the nether region.

Has anyone had one fixed as an adult (I'm 48)? I heard it's outpatient now and can be done through a laparascope. What's recovery time like, etc.

Open to suggestions.


And if anyone says "this post is worthless without pictures" they should be banned from this BBS! :D

Intended to post in OT. Somehow I think the moderator will be kind enough to move it for me. Thanks!

from my wife, the RN:

i've seen many men come in for this surgery and do well. laparascopy is minimally invasive, recovery time is about two weeks.

"this diagnosis is worthless without an evaluation by a physician"

Lots of men have this surgery. Not a big deal. Go for it

A guy I work and who's ten years older than you are, had this done about two years ago. He wasn't a candidate for the laprascopic procedure and had about two weeks of discomfort following the surgery. The area was tender for a couple of months and he was fine. To his benefit, as sounds the case with yourself, he was in great shape physically which I'm sure quickened his healing time.

Steve

Same problem for me and the fix was easy. Ten days to feel good and a month later was back to normal.

Laparoscopy isn't really how it is done. Laparoscopy type instruments are used to get into the area under the muscles but outside of the peritoneum (the place where the intestines are) . This is called the pre-peritoneal space. If this techniques is used general anesthesia is nessesary.

Most inguinal hernias are repaired using open techniques. If a surgeon tells you that they only do this through the scope - they better have a "center of excellence". Many general surgeons have gone away from the preperitoneal technique - more difficult, more time, general anesthesia, and I belive it has a higher recurrence rate. But if you want it there is likely someone in a large community that will do it this way.

Ask around for general surgeons that are well regared and see who is on most lists - then see them - they will lay it all out. But remember, the anesthesiologist is the most important person in the room, except you!

Go find a general surgeon with whom you feel comfortable. You can use the way notmytarga described above, for example. Meet him/her, and get examined. I've repaired plenty of incarcerated/strangulated hernias in adults, so don't just go by what your internist (a non-surgeon) says. And if you and your surgeon decide to proceed with herniorrhaphy, go by whichever way your surgeon feels more comfortable doing. Personally, I'd pick the surgeon, as opposed to first selecting the method of surgery (open vs. laparoscopic) and then finding a surgeon to fit your demands. Best of luck.

Are both methods (open vs endo) outpatient? Also, since I'm nearing 50, I thought I'd see about having a colonoscopy done at the same time. Any reason not to?

Thanks again,
Mike

Yes, both methods are routinely outpatient procedures. Timing the surgery with a colonoscopy will probably be difficult/not possible. First of all, the surgeon you pick may very well not do colonoscopies. So a good chance you'll have to coordinate with a gastroenterologist. Sounds not too difficult, but it's always harder than it sounds, scheduling-wise. And then, doing a colonoscopy (with its small amount of potential fecal contamination) at the same visit as a hernia repair (where they might use mesh in the repair--and you'd want to avoid contamination/infection at all costs) isn't ideal. Not absolutely impossible/contraindicated, but not ideal. But hey, ask your surgeon and see what he/she says.

You will not be able to have them done at the same time. In fact, run away if someone offers this. Most hernia repairs involve the placement of prosthetic mesh and contamination of the mesh is catastrophic.

An open repair can be done under local or general anesthetic and is a day procedure. In most cases, if there is no urgency to repair, it can be done at your convenience, to allow for recovery time.

As someone else stated, you need the opinion of a general surgeon as to whether you have a hernia and how and when it should be fixed. Your internist may be able to recognize one but I am sure that he/she has not fixed many.

Most general surgeons do hernia repairs. Best to ask around to find one that can do a good job for you. If you are up Peterborough way, I can fix yours. :D

Lawrence

Go see a doctor - if you need to, get the surgery. It's well worth it (BTDT).

Get it done! I had a really bad bicycle accident in college and about a month later, my groin started hurting something fierce while riding another bike. By the time I got to the hospital, my right nut had twisted cutting off the blood supply and it killed it, literally. Ended up having it removed.

Ouch! Sounds like you had testicular torsion or some such thing. Usually not related to a hernia though. Don't scare the poor guy.:eek:

That - perhaps - may be a wee bit too much information.

Yeah, testicular torsion is exactly what I had. My point is that the "boys" need to be treated appropriately.

Thanks guys. Will talk with the surgeon my Internist recommended and go from there. Guess the convenience of doing a colonoscopy at the same time isn't worth the risk.

Hugh, I'm pretty sure the "boys" have no involvement here.

I had a umbilical hernia done a month ago, piece of cake, I was out in the garage toying with the Porsche in three days. The groinal hernias, that may be different. My brother had both sides done at the age of 50 and he was down for a week with limited mobility for another.

I say get it done. Had I known it would be so easy, I would have had it done years ago.

If you schedule it for outpatient, YOU get to pick the surgeon. If it pops out and strangulates on a Tuesday night at 9:30, you get whomever is on call or in the ER. Something to think about.

My surgeon told me he had done several hundred of these and it would be a cake-walk. He was right.