Double Hernia Surgery on weds.

targa911S · 09-13-2010, 07:51 PM

60 years old and never been under the knife. I admit I'm quite nervous. You docs wanna help me through this? They are using screens. I have heard conflicting info good and bad. All my doctor buddies say screen is the only way to go, People that have had it done say it will hurt for the rest of my life. That say the brain trust?

john70t · 09-13-2010, 07:58 PM

Not a doc, but eat plenty of good yogurt to replentish the benificial bacteria in the gut lost to antibiotics.
Father in law had it at 80 with quick recovery but some regularity problems.

RPKESQ · 09-13-2010, 08:04 PM

BTDT but quadruple hernias.

You'll be fine, the screens work very well. Look up the success rate for this surgery and the use of screens.

If you still have doubt then get another opinion from another surgeon.

And let me know how it turns out.

targa911S · 09-13-2010, 08:09 PM

All the surgeons are in favor of the screens. People that have had it are the nay sayers.

Tobra · Tobra's Garage

Get yourself a little pillow. Hug it to your belly when you cough.

targa911S · 09-13-2010, 08:32 PM

how long for recovery enough to play out again? I have all the help I need moving equipment? I have a show on saturday that I really don't want to cancel. I can do a BB King and sit down all night if I have to.

Check on the pillow. Thanks.

john70t · 09-13-2010, 08:32 PM

and patience on the throne. Barking dogs need water and corn on the cob.

HHI944 · 09:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by targa911S

I can do a BB King and sit down all night if I have to

That was good for a chuckle. Hey, for a diabetic guy that's about to be 85, he's not doin to bad. He's a tough ol' sucker and still has a lot of soul.

Hopefully, you won't have to pull a BB, but I don't think you'll be acting like BG and jumpin all over the stage.

Hope it all goes well!

Evans, Marv · 09-13-2010, 08:45 PM

Just had the left side done July 19th. The surgeon called it "his big one." I had the mesh inserted on the right side 15 years ago, and it hasn't given me any problems or discomfort. The first day after I had thjs one done in the morning, there wasn't any pain or swelling. After that the swelling & pain started in, and it was really uncomfortable but bearable and I didn't take any pain killers until a couple of days later. I wanted to to get a feeling about how I felt stress with different movements. If you have to cough or sneeze, you can also grab your knee/shin and double your leg up against your abdomen. I was mostly down for about 4 or 5 days. You'll get tired quickly for a week of two. I'm 68 so the recuperation didn't seem to go as fast as the first one. I was decently good about not driving for almost a week, but after that I drove all over the place. At my follow up check two weeks later, the surgeon told me to take it easy. I said I was leaving to load a bunch of stuff into my pickup and haul it home, and he just told me to take it easy. It's pretty much OK now. Abdominal surgery is always not desirable. I still have a really hard line where the scar is. You'll be glad you had it done. Good luck.

Tobra · Tobra's Garage

Marv, product called Mederma will help with that scar, sort of pricey. Rub it into the scar a few times a day, will soften and fade it.

targa911S · 09-14-2010, 03:26 AM

thanks for all the input everybody.

Taz's Master · 09-14-2010, 03:31 AM

Had mine repaired last month (with mesh). Get LOTS of rest prior to your show. Your body works very hard at recovering and you will be surprised by how little energy/endurance you have. Probably discomfort will not be the biggest factor (although it will be a significant one). The pain and fatigue aren't nothing, but they're nothing you can't handle.

pete3799 · pete3799's Garage

No helpful advice, but wish you a speedy recovery.

billybek · billybek's Garage

Inguinal hernia repair?
I had a double done three years ago.
I wouldn't expect to be moving too far for a while. Do the meds, eat lots of fiber and stool softeners if required.
+1 on the speedy recovery!

javadog · 09-14-2010, 04:45 AM

Had the left side done with mesh 18 months ago. I wasn't thrilled about my first surgery either but it went quickly and I was home before lunch. I wasn't in much pain the first few days, if I didn't move. Didn't even take the pain pills... Plan on sitting in a comfortable chair and getting up only when you have to. Getting in and out of bed was the biggest challenge. I couldn't figure out a way to do it without seeing stars, at least for the first week. Be prepared for the bruising and discoloration that will occur. It surprised the hell out of me and I didn't know if it was normal or if something had gone very wrong. Have someone around to wait on you hand and foot, as the key is to not overdo it.

I don't think the show is a good idea, that soon.

Good luck,
JR

Rikao4 · 09-14-2010, 05:50 AM

don't be a hero..
it's not bad..
which leads folks to ..
I can do that..
= oh scheisse..
nice & slow..

Rika

azasadny · azasadny's Garage

Your surgeon will explain the approach he/she wants to take and I would assume they know what's worked best for their patients. Your 1st surgery is a big deal and you're perfectly normal in being scared/nervous. Take it easy, do what the Dr's and nurses tell you and you'll heal very quickly! I had emergency surgery to have a ruptured appendix removed on Tues night and I went back to work on Fri (desk job, I'll admit). I had my gallbladder removed via scope on Friday, back to work on Monday. So far, the worst thing I've ever had done is a root canal, as far as pain/discomfort go... Hope this helps!! God speed!

DanielDudley · 09-14-2010, 06:05 AM

Ice is nice.

fuelie600 · 09-14-2010, 06:17 AM

I had a double repair a few years back. Did open vs. laproscopic. Screen/mesh is standard way to go. I was down for a week. The problem with doing both sides at once is you can't favor one side during recovery. I would still do both at once. They doc described my hernias as "pretty bad". It took a few months to get back to normal.
You will heal. It is not a "hurt the rest of your life" repair. The best way to describe it is, you will always be aware it is there.

You will do fine.

Good luck! let us know how it goes.

targa911S · 09-14-2010, 07:14 AM

Thanks again for all the tips and well wishes. Based on what ya'll have said I got a stand in bassist on call for saturday. I put the surgery off for a week as I had a show to do with Rich Harper and it's all original blues. The only other bassist that could do the job lives in Sweden, so it was a must do. The saturday job is with a band that does mostly covers so that was easier to find a fill in. I think I'll just lay low and work on painting my bass if I feel up to it. That way I will be at home and can crash when I've had enough.

Yes we are going with open and screen. Thanks again guys. I'll keep ya in the loop.