Double Hernia Surgery on weds.

[azasadny]

As long as you don't do any "Bootsy Collins" type of moves with your bass, you should be OK! Just kidding, I think you would benefit from some rest, unless you can sit and play the bass. If it was a heavy Rickenbacker, I'd say "no way"!

[targa911S]

Well Art it's a heavier Thunderbird. I'm WAY past any Bootsy moves anyway. Based on what I have heard here and my wife's scowl at the mention of going to work that night. I'm getting a stand in.

[pavulon]

FWIW and in my experience....about 95% of inguinal hernia repair patients go home that day. Bilateral inguinal hernia repair patients are as likely to be admitted over night for pain control as they are to go home.

Don't fear an epidural or spinal for an anesthetic...they work great!!

[Shaun @ Tru6]

David, I think you'll be just fine. I had left side mesh done yesterday and I'm feeling really good today, though I'm taking it extra easy right now so I can be as close to normal as possible tomorrow. Getting up and walking around every now and again and while there's a little discomfort, it feels right, good to keep moving lightly. Dropped the percoset last night and am now just on ibuprofen.

Good luck my friend! you'll be fine.

[targa911S]

hey shaun. I was wondering if you got yours done yet as I remembered the thread. Well it looks like we can recover together. call me if you get bored.

[Teutonics]

Just had bilateral inguinal done (with screen) week before last. I'm sure it's different for everyone, but my doctor did not prepare me at all for what to expect.

The doc loaded me up with something during surgery, I was numb from the waist to my knees for almost three days. When my parts started waking up, pain was manageable, but constant discomfort (still). Coughing and laughing hurt, sneezing is indescribable. Eat colace like candy.

Swelling and bruising was well beyond anything I could have imagined, so be prepared for that as a possibility. Aubergine eggplant with black stem... if you don't know what I'm talking about now, you might in a few days.

Walking is uncomfortable. Sitting is uncomfortable. Standing isn't too bad, but the other cube gophers are wondering why I'm typing and working standing up.

I can only lay on my back to sleep. If you have a lazyboy recliner, that would be the best place to be, 24/7 (I don't have one). You can launch yourself out of one without having to use your stomach muscles too much. The landing won't be as painful as trying to get out of bed.

Good luck.

[mthomas58]

Originally Posted by billybek

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!

+1 on all fronts. Had my double mesh done 10 years ago when I was 42. Out of work for 1 week. Recovery thereafter was pretty easy. The mesh attaches itself to the fascia tissue and you will notice periodic tollerable pains as your body gets used to haveing the mesh in there. The pains will diminish over time and you will find that you will move without thinking about it. Due to the anethesia, it make take a while for normal function to resume [i.e. LOTS OF FIBER and STOOL SOFTENER] If you don't you may find yourself OBSESSED as I did with returning to normal function. All in all a pretty easy procedure/recovery. You may find going forward that you'll notice some changes if you gain or lose weight.

Good luck!

[pavulon]

Originally Posted by mthomas58;5560381Due to the anethesia, it make take a while for normal function to resume [i.e. LOTS OF FIBER and STOOL SOFTENER

If you don't you may find yourself OBSESSED as I did with returning to normal function. All in all a pretty easy procedure/recovery. You may find going forward that you'll notice some changes if you gain or lose weight.

Good luck!

For the sake of clarity, opiates (including the opiates in "pain pills" like vicodin, percocet...) frequently are associated with constipation. While we do use injectable opiates in anesthesia, post-op constipation would be much less common if ours were the only opiates folks received.

This pelican makes a great point about bowel function obsession....something I've never understood or had any interest in following day to day....but it's never been an "issue" for me personally either. Maybe someday but not today.

[Tobra]

few hundred mic's of fentanyl ain't stopping anyone up

[mthomas58]

Originally Posted by pavulon

For the sake of clarity, opiates (including the opiates in "pain pills" like vicodin, percocet...) frequently are associated with constipation. While we do use injectable opiates in anesthesia, post-op constipation would be much less common if ours were the only opiates folks received.

This pelican makes a great point about bowel function obsession....something I've never understood or had any interest in following day to day....but it's never been an "issue" for me personally either. Maybe someday but not today.

For this formerly constipated Pelican, normal bowel function was never a problem before or since but I can tell you that after surgery in that area it is the last thing you want to deal with. Ten years after surgery it is still a vivid memory - but thankfully only a memory

[Shaun @ Tru6]

Originally Posted by targa911S

hey shaun. I was wondering if you got yours done yet as I remembered the thread. Well it looks like we can recover together. call me if you get bored.

my prayers are with you Man. will call over the weekend to check in.

[Noah930]

Open herniorrhaphy with mesh is the most common and traditional way to go. But I don't think it's wise to have bilateral repairs on a Wednesday, and then expect to be playing a gig (or even attending one) on Saturday. Most people wouldn't be up for it, at least.

There are reports that mesh causes more pain/irritation. I don't know if that's true. What about the people with mesh who don't have chronic pain? What about the people without mesh who have chronic pain? In the end, don't fear the mesh.

Cough pillow post-op is nice.

I typically give a stool softener to my hernia patients to prevent constipation from their post-operative narcotic use. The fentanyl given surgery won't cause constipation, but the regular tablets of Percocet/Norco/Vicodin/Tylenol #3 for a couple weeks in a row (combined with decreased liquid intake from not wanting to get up to retrieve a drink for when you're thristy) could very well lead to it. Being constipated after abdominal surgery is awful, and risks the integrity of the repair from all the straining.

I tell people to take it easy for 4-6 weeks after the surgery. The strength of the repair doesn't come from the stitches or the mesh. Those can get pulled out through repetitive stress. Rather, the strength comes from the scar tissue that seals in the repair. That's the role of the mesh. It's not structural...at first. Rather, it serves as a framework for scar tissue to grow into to really give strength to the repair. (The mesh is actually sewn in with a little bit of a ripple in it to accomodate for any stretching of surrounding tissue that may occur with coughing or straining post-operatively.) So it takes about 4-6 weeks for that scar tissue to grow in. Even if you feel fine before then, don't overdo it.

Best of luck.

edit: Glad to hear you're doing OK, Shaun.

[targa911S]

I was waiting for "Noah the wise" to jump in. I will take your advice seriously. I've already got a sub for saturday. I told the shop I won't be in next week as well, even though I only go there on monday and fridays. I have enough little stuff around here to keep me occupied. Thanks everybody.

Shaun I'll ring you up over the weekend. I think I still have yer number. PM it to me in case I don't.

[Zeke]

I have had each type of surgery, open, no mesh, just a sew up job, and open with mesh 15 years later, other side. While the first was miserable, I can't tell that it was done.

The mesh leaves a lump which I could do without. 1-2 years before you don't think about it when you hit the area or have sex.

[azasadny]

Any updates? How are you feeling?

[targa911S]

Howdy boys. Weeellllll in a few words. I hurt like hell! Having BOTh sides done is a biotch. I'm up and moving around but I have to use a stick to walk for stability. It turns out that there was a muscle that was torn on the right side I have been told. THAT is what hurts the most. However, every day is a little better so I'm thinking my goal of being able to get out and go to to my buddies daughters wedding next sunday should be doable. I have a check up with the surgeon on tuesday. Hopefully he will release me to drive,, although right now I wouldn't try that. I'm just gonna lay low and watch football all day tomorrow. I haven't talked to shaun, I may call him tomorrow. Thanks for asking Art.

[syncroid]

I'm glad you're feeling a little better David. Sorry for asking a stupid question but... Is this from an old injury or just part of getting a little older? If its the latter, I'm not looking forward to it. I'm currently 49.

[targa911S]

I'm sure it's both Dan. Hard and high miles on this old frame. One side and the muscle tear i did 4 years ago during our move from FL. The other side just appeared one day. I'm sure it was from hauling band equipment though. You got a way to go to catch me, 10 years makes a big diff.

[URY914]

I think I have one on my right side. Hurts like hell sometimes (7.5 - 8 out of 10). Bulges out and can be pushed back in. Should I see my Dr.?

[Zeke]

Originally Posted by URY914

I think I have one on my right side. Hurts like hell sometimes (7.5 - 8 out of 10). Bulges out and can be pushed back in. Should I see my Dr.?

Yep.