This blog article is a journal of my personal experience recovering from Hernia surgery. I hope you find its contents useful in preparing for similar surgery yourself.
The Symptoms
For several years I had noticed the gradual appearance of bulges just above and either side of my penis. I had hernia surgery as a baby on the right side as did my brother. A congenital weakness I conjecture. I noticed some dull pain in the right bulge occasionally, especially if I hiked with a backpack or camera waist-bag. It wasn’t severe enough to warrant a trip to the doctor and did not affect my lifestyle. I hiked, completed 2 half marathons, no big deal.
Just prior to Christmas of 2010 I got a head cold and coughed a great deal. The right hernia was much more painful and if I pressed on it I felt my insides pop back inside my abdomen. The pain disappeared after the cough went away and I didn’t see a doctor as I had intended. A few weeks later I started on a walking program in readiness for the Music City 1/2 marathon in April 2011. If I wore my camera waist-bag, the right hernia was painful, I had to stop using the bag as I did my walks. I now realized that I was making lifestyle choices based upon this hernia, time to go to the quack.
Doctor Visits
I first went to my family doctor to confirm my self diagnosis. He agreed I had a hernia and sent me to a general surgeon, Dr. Peter K Smith of Hendersonville Hospital, TN. (I had seen Dr Smith 18 months prior to treat a spider bite that would not heal). He immediately diagnosed an inguinal hernia on the right side and noted the left side was herniated also. He advised fixing both sides (bi-lateral) at the same time, fixing the weaker right side only would put more strain on the left weakness and the intestines would probably protrude in short order. I agreed. He said I could wait, it wasn’t a critical situation just yet, but since it was forcing me to make different lifestyle choices I wanted to go ahead.
The doctor advised that I should plan on at least 4 days to recover. Despite the fact the operation is routine, he said that men find this procedure very painful. Surgery was scheduled 10 days later, with a pre-op visit 1 day prior. Dr Smith performs hernia repairs using mesh, which provides for a strong repair with lower recurrence and quicker recovery than sutures.
Research
I researched inguinal hernias on the internet and found a lot of useful information. Use of mesh is relatively recent and well respected by doctors and patients alike. This was reassuring. Less reassuring were the stories of 6 weeks off work for some, although others seemed to take it in their stride like it was nothing. My doc said in his experience the older the patient the less post-operative pain, at 52 I should not suffer for an extended time.
I experienced a few nights where I didn’t sleep well. The anticipation was obviously a stress to me. I was glad I decided to go ahead straight away and not string out the experience.
Hospital & Insurance
About 7 days prior to surgery I received a call from Hendersonville Hospital advising me my out of pocket expenses would be just over $2,000, they were willing to offer me a 20% discount for immediate payment of this amount prior to the date of service. I negotiated to pay this on the date of service. This bought me time to check my companies health insurance policy/deductible amounts were in line with the hospitals claims, which they were. This practice is becoming more common, however actually realizing the discount is not certain. If the anesthetist, doctor, lab etc get their bills submitted first the deductible will be applied to their claims, not the hospital. The hospital will refund any overpayment but benefit from an interest free loan. We’ll see which way the chips fall.
Pre-Op Visit – February 2nd 2011
I went through the admitting registration quickly, many of the routine questions had been asked on the phone one week earlier. I paid $1900 (plus change) to take advantage of the 20% discount (maybe). I was called into the lab by Missy, a pre-op nurse, she made me feel comfortable and made the experience as pleasant as possible. She went over my health history and performed an EKG, which was normal, my pulse was between 65 and 72 during the time I was hooked up. Blood pressure was normal at 120/80, I gave a urine sample and three vials of blood were drawn by another nurse. She had trouble finding a vein and the blood flowed slowly when she did find a good one. I don’t normally have issues with drawing blood, she advised me to drink more water next time. I was sure to drink plenty that evening before going to bed!! I got the expected advice not to drink or eat after midnight. I was given a pouch of anti-bacterial wash soap to use in the shower the following morning on my lower abdomen. I was then taken to the radiology department to get a chest X-ray. They were closed, so I had to wait in admitting for someone to be called. They took 2 xrays of my chest and I went home.
I drank plenty of fluids and took a stool softener before retiring, I have heard from patients that have had this surgery that the first bowel movement can be very ‘special’.
Surgery Day – Thursday February 3rd 2011
I was due at the hospital at 6am, and woke up at 5:10am, later than planned !! I quickly showered, remembered to use the antibacterial soap. After showering I inserted a Preperation H suppository in the hope that this would make my first bowel movement easier to pass. I would have preferred a more waxy suppository but its all I had at the time. I dressed in loose fitting sweat shirt and pants and headed out the door with a light jacket, it was 27 degrees F. My wife drove me to the hospital, we got to the day surgery center right at 6 and were quickly ushered to my room. Room number 3, a lucky number no less!!
I changed into the gown provided, my wife noticed a poster showing a fancy heated gown and how to put it on. Maybe my insurance didn’t cover such luxuries I thought. I do remember being very cold after a prior surgery and felt like I’d been jipped. My nurse was Kerri, she was very pleasant and made me comfortable very quickly. I was hooked up to a monitor and an IV was started, she found my vein very easily and it was not too uncomfortable this time. She asked who had been hacking at my arm, she could see the repeated attempts from the day before. My blood pressure was 135/85, I didn’t feel nervous, but clearly I was! Then she noticed I had a standard issue gown, she got a special plastic gown and hooked it up to a heated blower. I had a remote to control the temperature, it was great!! Kerri, and three anesthetists asked me a similar series of questions over the next 30 minutes or so. Dr. Smith the surgeon came by and asked me if I had any questions, I didn’t and said ‘let’s get this done’. About 7:30 am I was wheeled towards the OR. The anesthetist said he would administer a sedative, the last thing I remember is being wheeled past day surgery reception.
Post Operative Recovery
I woke up shortly after 9am and asked Mellisa the nurse if it was all over. She confirmed it was and monitored my recovery. I was nice and warm, the heated gown really worked well. I commented how comfortable it was. Melissa said most people like it, except overweight people who tend to sweat due to the plastic material it is made from. After about 10-15 minutes I was wheeled back to room 3 where my wife was waiting on me.
My wife said she had met Dr Smith in the waiting room and he found the hernias to be bigger than he had anticipated. I felt better about not waiting any longer for the surgery. I took a look at the incisions, they were 4 inches each vs the 2 inch incisions I was anticipating! It felt like a donkey had kicked me in the groin. More than once.
Super Glued Incisions 1 day after surgery. No sutures or staples to remove!!
Another thing I noticed about the incisions is that there were no stitches or staples. Apparently the incisions were glued together, super glue!! The benefit is that the scar will be less noticeable without the ‘train track’ appearance sutures or staples make. Another feature of this method of closing the wound is that there were no bandages, what you see in the photograph is the way I looked during recovery and discharge from the hospital.
The nurse, whose name escapes me, asked me my pain level on a scale of 1-10. I said 7-8, she gave me a Percocet for the pain. I decided to wait for the meds to kick in before trying to get up and urinate.
My blood pressure was 137/90, the pain was obviously stressing me. After 15 minutes or so I got up. Ouch! Walking was very slow and painful. I had to wait over a minute for urine to flow and had to restart the stream 4-5 times, it was very weak. I began to feel nauseated so headed back to the bed before I threw up. The nurse asked how I felt and I said I was hot and felt queezy. She administered an anti-nausea medication once I was back in bed. While I was in the bathroom the nurse told my wife I was one of the few who can urinate after this surgery, they normally have to catheterize. I’m glad I avoided that outcome.
At about 11:30am the nurse said I looked very healthy and told me I could go home. An orderly wheeled me to the front door. He grabbed a barf bag on the way, he could tell I was getting nauseated. Getting into the car was slow and awkward, but I was glad to recline the seat to get rid of the nausea. I felt even the smallest of bumps, my wife took a different route to avoid the level crossing on the way home.
I have to say that the level of care and attention at Hendersonville Hospital was second to none. I can’t imagine anything else they could have done for me to make me more comfortable or at ease.
Recovering at Home – Day 1
Dr Smith had advised me to move around the house and not just lay up all the time, he said it would make my recovery on following days easier. I got up out of the recliner on the hour, every hour from 12pm until I went to bed at 9:30.
Changing from a sitting position to standing or vice versa is where I experienced the most pain. My wife left for the pharmacy to get Oxycodone (generic Percocet). Dr Smith prescribed 18 total tablets to be taken every 4-6 hours. I took 3 the first day. Walking got a little easier each time I tried it, but standing straight was too painful, I hobbled around like an old geezer. Urination was still a trial in patience. this is where I am glad guys can go standing up!! I tried using ice packs, but found myself getting nauseous due to the weight on my abdomen.
Sitting on the couch aggravated my back, I have suffered lower back pain for years. I found that a full sized pillow behind the small of my back gave the best support and relief along with frequent changes to the level of reclining in the couch.
At 2pm my wife and I were kissing when I noticed a movement ‘downstairs’. Hey my junk still works!! I can get a woody!! My mood improved 100%
I had chicken noodle soup and a ham sandwich followed by a yogurt. Yummy. By the end of the evening I was feeling somewhat better, and managed to get up the stairs ever so slowly under my own steam.
I slept flat on my back, turning over was not a possibility.
Friday February 4th 2011 – Day 2
I slept to 1 am when I got up to urinate. That went quite well and I felt that I might be able to get off the oxycodone and use Ibuprofen only. At 4am I got up again, and was now in excruciating pain, my wife got the oxycodone from downstairs and I went back to bed.
I got up at 7am and the oxycodone had alleviated much of the pain allowing me to catch up on some sleep between 6 and 7. I made my way downstairs.
Dr Smith told my wife I could shower the next day, the discharging nurse said to wait two days. I didn’t feel like a shower at 7am so waited until later in the day when I was doing better. I could climb the stairs without leaning on the banister, things were getting much easier.
I continued to get up every hour and started to feel almost normal with minimal pain. At 12pm I was able to pass gas without pain, and how that was a relief. Urinating was normal again. I ate normally all day and had a normal appetite. Each hour I’d get better. I took 800mg of Ibuprofen at 1pm, I didn’t need the oxycodone anymore, it makes you constipated anyways, the last thing I want.
I think I would have gone quietly insane reclined in the couch if it wasn’t for Netflix streaming shows and movies and Pandora. The Roku box I got for Christmas made the experience less boring.
I started this journal and didn’t get up for a few hours. Ouch! That was a mistake, need to keep moving every hour, and I resumed the ice packs.
By 5pm I was mostly pain free, took 400mg of Ibuprofren at 6pm to relieve mild pain.
Went to bed at 9pm, just a little pain getting into bed, I didn’t need anymore pain killers.
Saturday 5th February 2011 – Day 3
Got up at 5am to urinate, not much pain today!! Went back to bed until 7:30. My wife said I slept on my side for some of the evening. I’m obviously more mobile in bed. Took more stool softeners, I’m getting a little concerned that the first bowl movement will be very painful. I ate 3 apples during the morning, apples are natures gentle laxative. I also drank plenty of decaf coffee and water.
My back is quite painful, being immobile hurts my back at the best of times. Took 800mg of Ibuprofen at 8am for the back pain.
9:30am saw the re-consummation of our marriage, glad to see my equipment is still in working order.
At 1pm I finally had the bowel movement I’d been waiting for. All the stool softeners and suppositories did the trick, no straining was necessary. I also believe moving around gently but frequently was also important to waking up my bowels.
The trick now I am out of pain will be to not to do too much too soon.
I noticed a niggling pain in my groin when repositioning myself in the recliner, it felt like a tendon or a muscle had been pulled. Changing position while fully reclined is a tough thing to do when you can’t use your stomach muscles.
Back pain which radiated into my right hip began to be a problem after about 6pm, I took some Ibuprofen and went to bed at 7pm.
Sunday 6th February 2011 – Day 4
I had congestion during the evening, looks like a head cold is starting. I started a nose bleed early Sunday morning. This is a sign to me that a head cold is just 1-2 days away.
Changing position in bed I noticed that pain in my right groin getting worse, like someone sticking a knife in, quite sharp and hot feeling.
Sitting up from a lying position in bed was painless for the first time. Standing from sitting was only mildly painful.
Sitting technique – Let me explain my technique for sitting up in bed without straining my stomach or back muscles as shown to me by a chiropractor many years ago. Roll onto your side on the edge of the bed, then place the elbow of the lower arm on the edge of the mattress and hold your forearm vertically and make a fist. Push down with your free arm on the erect arm using your upper body muscles to raise your torso, at the same time, keeping your ankles together, let your legs drop off the edge of the bed. You use the force of your upper body and gravity from the weight of your legs to rotate into a sitting position without using your lower body to sit up. Practice this maneuver before your surgery!!
Took Vitamin C and Echinacea when I got up to try and stave off the cold.
Back to Netflix for entertainment. I plan to go to Church for an hour this morning to see my Christian brothers and sisters.
In the location where the bulges existed due to the hernias, I now have an area which numb. According to medical websites this is very common and a small area of numbness may persist permanently. The numbness feels like it is just on the skin surface. There is feeling below the skin. Clearly I’ll ask the doctor when I return for follow-up in another weeks time.
Church visit was kept to 1 1/2 hours, other than back pain while sitting I did great.
While watching the super bowl changing position the recliner got quite painful due to that new pain in my groin, still getting worse. At least the Steelers lost the super bowl.
Went to bed about 10pm. I didn’t use any pain killers all day.
Monday 7th February 2011 – Day 5
Turning over or changing position in bed is sometimes very painful due to that groin strain or whatever it is. It has got worse again. Made a mental note to see the doctor later today rather than wait until follow-up next week. Somethings not right.
Got up at 4:30am today so I could avoid changing position in bed. Sat fairly upright while watching TV, I’m going to avoid reclining too far anymore which avoids using my legs to change position. Did some research on the ‘net to see what could be hurting so much in my groin. There’s a ton of stuff down there, tendons, muscles, blood vessels, spermatic cord, anyone of which could be giving trouble due to my exertion or surgery complications. Made an appointment to see the doc at 1:30.pm. Another day off work 🙂
The good news is that I am able to move around the house freely without pain. Blowing my nose or coughing is still a little sore but not nearly as painful as before.
Doc said I had a burst blood vessel in my scrotum and it was no big deal. I’m to apply heat to the area 3 times daily and take 800mg Ibuprofen 3 times daily until the pain and swelling is gone, then taper off the ibuprofen over 3-4 days. I asked if any long term damage came from this and he said no, I got a little unlucky. It should clear up in 5-10 days. The hernia repair is in good order with no-recurrence. No strenuous activity for a week to ten days and no sex while it clears up.
Tuesday 8th February 2011 – Day 6
Got up at 4am to let the dog outside. She had an upset stomach. As I descended the stairwell I felt the groin pain as I lead with my right foot. It hadn’t hurt in this way before. As I coughed the groin pain was present also. This had not occurred before either. My concerns are renewed. Made a mental note to contact Dr Smith again.
Other than the groin pain I am getting around easier now.
After showering I notice that the skin of my scrotum close to the groin injury is scaly like a snake and sheds some flakes of skin. I made a call to Dr Smith’s office. He’s in surgery all day, they’ll contact me when they hear from me. I got a return call to see the doc on Wednesday at 8:30.
I called a local Urologist to make an appointment. I gave them my reason for calling (burst blood vessel after Hernia surgery). It will be 3 weeks before I can get an appointment. I made the appointment anyway, who knows I made need it.
Stayed on the couch most of the day watching Dr Who and applying heat from a heat pad to my groin on and off during the day. The heat does appear to be therapeutic.
Started to take pseudoephedrine for congestion, that head cold is starting to make me cough.
Wednesday 9th February 2011 – Day 7
I can get out of bed using my stomach muscles now. No need to ‘roll out’ of bed anymore. Evidence that further healing has occurred!!
Saw Dr Smith at 8:30. I explained the new symptoms and change in appearance. He made an examination and asked me if it was painful to touch my genitals. Not really I said, it hurts (burning sensation) when I cough or climb stairs. He is satisfied that I do not have either of the two rare complications that can occur after this type of surgery and that things should clear up within a week. He is pleased with the progress in just the two days since I saw him last. He was very reassuring.
I went to work for 4 hours today. After the 4 hours I am ready for the trip home, it was uncomfortable sitting in an office chair. I tried several chairs. Sitting in a car seat is thankfully more comfortable.
I took it easy the rest of the afternoon while another snow storm rolls through Tennessee. When will it ever stop being winter?
Reflecting on the past week I do some further research on surgical complications from hernia surgery. The treatment I am prescribed (Ibuprofen) is the same as is used for Ischemic Orchitis, though the symptoms of that condition sound more severe than I am experiencing. I begin to wonder if I have an early or mild case of it. I decide I need to go back to my family doctor and get a second opinion given the urologist appointment is so far out. The websites I found very informative are
http://surgeryinfo.org/inguinal_hernia.html
http://www.tabexperts.com/TesticularAtrophy.htm
Thursday 10th February 2011 – Day 8
Last night’s snow storm leaves me at home today. Normally I would shovel the driveway and salt it in order to get out. Not an option so close to my recent surgery. 34% of Nashville workers worked from home today, me included.
I call my family doctor, the office is closed due to the weather. I’ll have to call again tomorrow.
By the end of the day I find myself pain free and the groin pain has receded and the inflammation has diminished. Things are looking up.
Friday 11th February 2011 – Day 9
I work half a day today and do very well at it.
The earliest appointment I could get at my family doctor is 9am Monday. Since I’m doing better it can wait. I can start tapering off the Ibuprofen tomorrow.
I worked from home in the afternoon, everything seems to be going well. I have a coughing fit around 6pm due to this head cold and the groin pain returns. Looks like the mending that occurred yesterday has been reversed.
Saturday 12th February 2011 – Day 10
My sleep was fractured during the evening, my right testicle ached all evening no matter what position I got into. Other than the groin pain I am doing very well, probably 90% recovered.
I will try and use my visit to the family doctor to try and get the Urologist appointment accelerated. This problem isn’t mending on its own.
I helped some folks with computer problems today at their home. 2 Hours was just about the right amount of time to be away from home.
Later in the day my grin pain went away and things started looking much better.
Sunday 13th February 2011 – Day 11
Feeling much better today, weather is great outside, but I don’t get tempted to do too much. I spend most of the day relaxing and just taking it easy. I caught myself taking the stairs two at a time today, probably a little to ambitious right now, but an indication that I continue to improve.
Monday 14th February 2011 – Day 12
Went to the family doctor and got meds for my cough. He also sent me for an ultrasound to see what was going on with the groin pain. The ultrasound was normal, blood flow is normal in the testicles and round about. Looks like the problem maybe receding for good.
I worked for half a day today at work. Wearing business clothes was quite uncomfortable compared the the sweats I’ve been wearing for the last few weeks. My right testicle got really uncomfortable in the tighter fitting clothes. One doesn’t realize how much walking one does each day at work, I was quite tired of walking by the end of the work day and glad to get home and relax.
Tuesday 15th February 2011 – Day 13
Did 3/4 of a day of work today. I chose my underwear carefully this morning so as not to be too restrictive and was considerably more comfortable. About 3pm I got really tired and had trouble keeping my eyes open. I suppose I have got used to napping in the afternoon on the couch. I am able to walk at normal pace now without pain. I expect that I should be able to work the full week next week. I plan on another 3/4 days work tomorrow and 1/2 day Friday.
I don’t think I will make daily entries in this journal from this point forward, maybe 2-3 per week until I am totally recovered.
Wednesday 16th February 2011 – Day 14
Did another 3/4 day of work today. I noticed my walking speed decreased in the early afternoon. I experienced quite a bit of pain in my right upper inside thigh, it was even painful to touch. After sitting for a while the thigh stopped giving me trouble. Another indication that I have to restrict the amount of walking I do each day. I’m simply not up to it, even though in the morning I am able to get around normally and feel like I could go for hours, I can’t.
I’ve noticed that the scab on the incisions is now falling away to reveal a thin scar line below. The incision lines are beginning to itch as the scab loosens.
Friday 18th February 2011 – Day 16
Another 3/4 day at work today. Walking around the office I got the sharp pain on my inner right thigh again, it certainly is debilitating until it wears off after a few minutes. Very sensitive to the touch. Since this is twice this has happened it’s worth mentioning to the doc next week. I was very glad to see home time come round today and another weekend.
Monday 21st February 2011 – Day 19
The weekend rest has re-energized me and I plan to work each day this week, mostly full days except the odd Dr Visit. This week is the last week I am authorized by my employer to park in the disabled parking areas in their parking lot. They prefer I park there rather than in visitors spots. It’s their parking lot so I’m good with it. The day went well. I got sleepy mid afternoon, missing those afternoon naps I was used to at home 🙂
Tuesday 22nd February 2011 – Day 20
Today was a long day, did a full day at work and then went to the Chiropractor early evening. I get adjustments for my lower back pain every 5-6 weeks. The Chiropractor had gone through similar surgery himself and was surprised to see me standing straight and relaxed so soon after the procedure. He modified his adjustments so as not to cause me any discomfort or problems. I was certainly glad to get home and crash.
Wednesday 23rd February 2011 – Day 21
I visited Dr Smith the Surgeon this morning. He felt that my progress was very good, all problems seem to be a thing of the past, the wounds are healing well. He gave me the green light to return to a full schedule of activities. I aksed him about the sharp pians I had experienced on my inner thigh the previous week. He asked if it was like an electric shock going up my leg, I said it was very much like that. He was confident that it was nerves settling down and that it would subside on its own. If not to give him a call.
I went walking at lunch time at work, it was a nice day. I did two laps of the building, my initial idea was to go around just once, but felt strong and made two laps without problems. General discomfort was reduced as a result of the walk. I’m pleased with the outcome.
Saturday 26th February 2011 – Day 24
I went for a two hour walk today. I am contemplating training for the music city half marathon at the end of April this year. This is a test run to see if I have any stamina. Things went very well for the first 1 1/2, then I started to feel dizzy like I would pass out. I headed for a bench in the park and laid down on it for 5 minutes or so to gather my thoughts. I made the last 30 minutes back to the car OK. Clearly I’m not strong as I think I am.
Sunday 27th February 2011 – Day 25
Today promises to be even warmer and more agreeable than yesterday. I went to church all morning. When I returned home I was quite tired and uncomfortable. I just wanted to lay up in the recliner. Yesterday took more out of me than I realized. No walking today, bedtime can’t come soon enough. My back decided to act up during the day, so a few beers took care of that. I find two beers gets rid of lower back pain better than maximum strength Ibuprofen. I had just weaned myself off Ibuprofen earlier in the week, so had no intentions of going back on it.
Monday 28th February 2011 – Day 26
I feel much better in the morning, the nights rest had gone well. Just prior to leaving home for work a lightening strike occurred in our back yard. The AC unit was taken out of commission as well as anything connected to the telephone line or the antenna cable. It was a busy day rush too and fro from work and home trying to get things done and also get the house back in order. I did a lot of standing with contractors and many trips up and down stairs. as well as start a claim against my homeowners insurance. It was an exhausting day, more stair work than I am used to. Two more beers were the order of the day at dinner time.
Tuesday 1st March 2011 – Day 27
Slept well. I can stretch fully in the morning or sleep in any position. I don’t have any residual discomfort apart from an occasional pains at the site of the old hernia bulges where most of the skin on the surface is still numb. Went for a 40 minute walk at lunchtime today. Felt good as I went round. If I felt a pain start in my groin, I simply eased the pace and picked up again once the pain was gone. I have given up the idea of participating in this years half marathon, it will be a while before I can walk at full pace up and down hills without symptoms. No point in setting myself up for a failure or over do it and cause any set back. The sharp pains in my inner thing have not returned. Hopefully its just a question of gradually building up my stamina and strength from here on in.
Monday 7th March 2011 – Day 33
I went to Cornerstone Healthcare today, they accept walk-in patients. I have a bad cough, and am concerned it will cause problems if not treated aggressively. The hernia repair on the right hand side gets sore after a bout of coughing. I’m advised to continue taking Mucinex-D and am prescribed anti-biotics in the form of a Z-Pack.
Wednesday 16th March 2011 – Day 43
6 weeks in now. I can walk easily now with no aches or pains. Sleeping is easy in any position. I only get occasional twinges. I haven’t done much lifting even though its probably OK. The cough is much better but still present, so I will ask at Cornerstone about it again tomorrow when I go in for a full physical. Now that I have paid my deductible in full I may as well get caught up on appropriate screening as it will cost little to nothing.
8 Months later – What’s happened since?
Several folks have asked me how I am doing further down the road of recovery. I am glad to report that life is now as normal as I’d like it to be. Even 9 months later I still get periods of dull aching or an occasional sharp pain, but these are more and more infrequent. At about 7 months after surgery I experienced a dull ache almost every day towards the end of the day for about a month long period. I began to worry the muscles were weakening and giving way under the strain. This too has passed.I can’t think of anything that could have triggered this, I believe its just part of the healing process.
Several of my friends at church have had similar surgery and report occasional pain more than a year later, but it is transitional and not too significant. Lifting is one thing that will cause symptoms.
I hope to train for the 2012 Music City 1/2 Marathon soon. I’ll report back if that was symptom free or not.
2012 Music City 1/2 Marathon
I did the Music City 1/2 Marathon without problems from my surgery being well healed by then. On track for a personal best I over exerted my right calf muscle which cramped real badly. At one point I thought I was going down and out on the ground. So much for a personal best. The 2014 1/2 marathon went without incident, the calf muscle tightened up again around mile 11 so I took it easy.
2015
Totally healed. All of the nerve issues are well into the past. I get a clean bill of health each annual physical. No residual issues.
JP's Blog 
Feb 06, 2011 @ 17:28:46
I was told to avoid any type of advil ibuprophen etc due to possible bleeding problems. I dont like percocet so the surgeon gave me hydromophone, which i believe to be a morphine based narcotic. Took 1 before leaving hospital and had no pain on the way home. Took another later that night and altho pain was gone, I had bad reactions to it. I didnt take it anymore and went with the advil even tho advised against it on day 3.
Feb 06, 2011 @ 17:39:02
Thanks for your post and forwarding your doctors advice.
I have not needed any pain killer since 7pm last night (5th Feb). I did avoid Ibuprofren leading up to the surgery because it does cause blood thinning. Didn’t consider the risk post op. I did have a nose bleed this morning so that may add creedence to your doctors advice. Seems I am out of the woods now anyway. Just need to take it easy and not get carried away 🙂
Aug 26, 2011 @ 11:27:01
Hello JP, just read your blog with interest as I had an inguinal hernia repair about 11 weeks ago. I do heavy lifting as part of my job, but I have found I`ve had to cut down and still get discomfort all around the area which feels like a muscle is stiff or under tension. When I have rested for several days it feels pretty good, but not as good as one I had repaired ten years ago on the other side…I dont expect miracles but Im hoping things improve more over the following weeks/months for me..
How are you feeling now, I would love to hear a follow up.
Geoff (UK)
Nov 20, 2011 @ 12:31:27
I updated the blog today with an update. Hope you continue to get better.
Apr 02, 2013 @ 20:35:46
I just had the double ingunial surgery 12 days ago and also have to do heavy lifting, I lift 80 and 100 lb cabinets every day all day. what do you say is a good recovery time? they tell me I can go back to full work duty in another 8 to 10 days.
Thanks for your input
Apr 03, 2013 @ 04:45:38
My doctor told me to let pain be my guide as to what I should and shouldn’t do during the recovery process. As always take your doctors advice over anyone else’s
Oct 30, 2011 @ 06:21:46
I also had bilateral done. Im in my 12th day and doing fine. Very sore and having to deal with sharp pain occasionally when i walk.
Aug 27, 2013 @ 20:55:17
I had a bilateral inguinal hernia surgery on July 15 2013, it is now August 27th 2013. About 5 1/2 weeks after surgery( incisions on each side of 4″ length ) my right side is pretty good, but I am still having a fair amount of pain in my left one. My leg is numb were it connects to my body, but at the same time it hurts.? I think that my left one is healing wrong. If I sleep on my left side my skin pulls and it feels like I am getting stabbed when it wakes me up ( having nightmares about being attacked and stabbed repeatedly) from it.
I was sent back to work on light duty today august 27th, and within 2 hours of very light duty I was in so much pain that it started making me almost puke.
Are any of you bilaterals having problems with one side like this?
Aug 29, 2013 @ 18:35:37
I had the same thing as you are having only with my right side and like you I would wake up feeling as though I had a knife stabbing me. I had concerns and went to my doctor who signed me up with pain management but before I went my pain subsided a bit and continued until I had no more pain
Nov 19, 2011 @ 11:00:30
This is primarily for the men who have had bilateral repair. Do any of you experience any atrophy/shrinkage of your penis and testicles(balls) at any point during your recovery? While standing, sitting, or laying down because I experience this from time to time. When it happens the skin in the area turns completely black with white coating, if that makes any sense… I had my open repair of bilateral hernia on 11/07/11…
Nov 20, 2011 @ 07:58:34
Yes, Brian..I have that shrinkage especially when sitting forward as on a computer. My testicle on surgery side is also pulled up as if he sewed me too tight. Other than that just some pain when exerting myself.
Nov 20, 2011 @ 12:23:45
Hi John,
Shrinkage sitting forward occurred prior to surgery for me, so don’t automatically assume the surgery is the reason for that.
Additionally be aware that for all men one testicle hangs lower than the other. I believe over 90% of men have a lower left testicle. It’s true for me. Once again don’t assume the surgery is the root cause of what you are seeing.
After surgery we can become hyper-vigilant to what’s occurring ‘down-under’. If it troubles you, ask your doctor and hopefully he/she will reassure that all is OK.
Nov 20, 2011 @ 08:21:49
Hello John,
(hope you dont mind me joining in?)
I had a hernia repair in June and still get a tight feeling and an ache on the same side as the repair. Yet some days it feels almost back to normal with hardly any ache..do you have any of these symptoms. Does yours vary from day to day. I see you had your repair at the beginning of the year ? so its been a while. Im 56 years of age and presume my age will slow thigns up too…
Nov 20, 2011 @ 12:30:33
Hey Geoff.
I too have a dull ache from time to time. The right side is the side that was a second repair and is the one that tends to ache. I did go through a period about a month back that lasted a month where the right side ached towards the end of the day, almost everyday. Not anymore though. It does vary for sure.
The left side was a first time repair and has given me little to no trouble since I healed up.
I believe occasional pain is normal for up to one year and even beyond. My doc said so and others at church confirm his information through their personal experiences.
Nov 20, 2011 @ 13:03:31
Hello JPWhitehome,
what you have said, does encourage me actually. Have you felt the need for pain killers when it ached ? , as I do, quite often. It does bring my mood down and find it difficult at times, along with the tight feeling. Yet other days it is as if it is 95% all good and I feel as if I have turned that corner…I hope time does tell. It has been nearly 6 months now since the operation…
Nov 20, 2011 @ 13:43:52
Hey Geoff,
No I don’t need pain killers, its just a nuisance and may have to limit activity until the next day. It typically subsides with rest overnight.
Dec 03, 2011 @ 22:48:50
JP/Geoff and others:
Thanks so much for your detailed posts. I find this very informative and probably the most I’ve read on the net for bilateral recovery.
That being said, I really need HELP! I’m a civil engineer and usually practically think things through, but am really having a hard tikme with this one. I’m stressed like never before.
Been having a weird feeling in right side of groin. Can’t call it pain as it doesn’t really hurt; just a strange feeling, like someone has their nuckle lightly placed there. Very tolerable. No visible lump either. Can touch, poke, prod, etc and no issues, but the weird feeling.
Anyway, been going on for 7 weeks now. Dr. told me about 3 years or so ago when this happened that I had a inguinal hernia. Recommended watch and wait. Sensation went away and now back. Examiined me again and confirmed right inguinal hernia. Referred me to surgeon who also saw no visible signs of a hernia but after a finger and cough on both sides, confirmed right inguinal hernia but said I also had it bilateral (although the left side is asymptomatic, meaning no pain at all). Does not do lapro and recommends both to be done at same time. OUCH! Hence, why I am so interested in your journal!!!!
Practically everyhting I see on the web are horror stories. Nerve damage complaints, never getting back to normal, etc. I firmly beleive once you have surgery you never really get back to 100%, but I certainly don’y want to get any worse either.
I must admit I’m worried, nervous, and plain scared. Most about pain. I had lapro done on my knee (torn meniscus) two years ago it was a snap. Took 2 Percosettes and was done with it as I was stopped up big time. Never had that happen before and don’t want it again. I just remember saying to myself, :”sure glad I didn’t have abdominal surgery”. No one at the surgery center told me about constipation or need to take stool softners. Anyway, stopped the pain meds, finally could go, and didn’t need them anyway.
This surgery is way different and in an area that is more sensitive than a darn knee.
My Dr. explained her method-open repair with Mesh – attached via sutures. She said she does not do laproscopic. I am split on the two methods mainly for post op recovery time and associated pain. Dr. says open has less chance of recurrence and I’ve read stuff online that seems to support it.
Because my pain is not severe and I have no visible lump, I’m second guessing the need to do anything at all at this point. Both Primary care and surgeon say it won’t get better, only worse, and I ought ot have it done now when relatively young and healthy (47, 5′-11″, 185#). They both said it could get strangulated and then it’s an emergency. The fact I have a weird sensation is symptomatic enough to get it done (at least on the right side). Easy for them to say.
Good thing is I have a desk job so not strenuous work. I’m guessing I should be able to go back sooner than others with more physical demands. Not sure what time frame that is. I have plenty of sick leave so that isn’t a problem. Not sure how long I should expect to be out, but your journal givews me an idea. Sounds like I should plan on 3 weeks?
Bottom line, I’m really nervous and not sure what to do. Open surgery on both sides and associated pain just doesn’t sound appealing at all, and your scars, although educational, creeps me out and I’m not squeamish (usually).
My 10 year old daughter had bilateral inguinal hernia, open surgery (no mesh) last year and just rolls her eyes and tells me to “man up and grow a pair” as she wasback to school in a week!!!! OK, I admit it, I’m a wimp.
I appreicate any words of wisdom any can offer.
Thanks
By the way, your instructions on sittiing up in bed sounds very instructional. I’m going to practice that.
Dec 04, 2011 @ 07:52:50
Hi Jeff,
For me it was a question of timing, I knew I had the hernia, and initially it would only hurt after several hours of backpacking with a tight waist belt. Eventually it was painful more often than not so I elected to have something done. The left side never hurt, though it was a clearly visible as a bulge.
To settle your mind a second opinion from say your family doctor as to the timing would be advisable.
The web abounds with horror stories about any procedure or drug. There are always those unfortunate enough to have complications and negative outcomes and they tend to be vocal and say don’t do it, its worse than the disease. The silent majority get relief from symptoms and say little about it. It’s good to understand the risks, but get your doctor to draw a realistic picture. Find out how many patients of hers has had these tragic outcomes. You may find its zero.
All the numbness due to nerve disturbance is a thing of the past now for me.
3 weeks out for a desk job seems realistic, but as they say, your mileage may vary 🙂
As for having both sides done. I don’t want to repeat the experience again, so having both done isn’t twice as bad, it cuts down on the number of times your body is put to sleep, cut open and the associated risks. Not going through the recovery pain twice was the reason cited by my doc, the left side was minor in comparison, but he discovered it was worse than he thought once he opened me up.
Not sure why, but most doctors prefer the open wound rather than laproscopic for this procedure. As you can see from the post op picture I posted, that was my doctors choice too.
JP
Dec 04, 2011 @ 13:57:58
I agree with JPW about the web and bad stories…and its the overwhelming good news stories that never get told, and those people then just get on with their lives..I also think that some bad stories are hyped up somewhat because the people telling them genuinely feel bad, but haven`t given enough time for their surgery to totally heal and their bodies to get back to normal..I know because I was feeling very sorry for myself a while back..but no longer
I would add that after nearly 6 months I am feeling more confident and well now than ever. I am still to go in and have my right hernia repaired. I was due to have it done a month back but put it on hold after this left one took longer than I thought to come good.
All I can say is that time does heal and no pun intended ! the alternatives to surgery in my opinion are not worth considering.
Geoff
Dec 04, 2011 @ 14:25:00
thanks Geoff and JP. I agree that the good never gets told and I’m glad I was able to coorespond with you both. You definitely help me put my mind at ease.I guess I just got to get my mind around the fact I have two medical professionals telling me the same thing even though I’m questioning it because I have no bulge and barely any discomfort. Like JP, my deal is probably timing and getting it done while I’m fit might be the better way to go. Thanks again….Jeff
Feb 27, 2012 @ 11:15:27
Hello JP & anyone who has had, or going to have surgery for an inguinal hernia..
Its Geoff again. I have now had my other (right hand) recurred hernia repaired. It was done via laparoscopy. I was nervous and worried about another long haul to recovery (6/7 months with left hand one).
It was done 7 days ago and I have just returned to my home after walking 3 miles at a brisk pace. I am feeling better every day even though it aches still, there are no sharp or sudden pains.I`m hoping that it`s only the muscle that was torn that needs to heal instead of the damage done by open surgery.
There is a lump at the exact spot of the hernia that I can see and feel. It has worried me a tad, but I have read on another forum about the same thing and the guy wrote that a year later it had shrunk and was not a problem.
There is some numbness down my right leg (I experienced this with the left repair but it has lessened as time`s gone on ) but all in all I`m feeling confident and none of the after affects are really hard to deal with.!
If you read this Jeff, I hope if you have had your surgery, that all is well or if not good luck for the future.
Geoff
Feb 27, 2012 @ 12:03:48
Hi Geoff (you too JP):
Great to hear from you! And I’m glad things seem to be working out well with your second surgery.
After some trepidation (but great info from you guys here) I finally went ahead and had my surgery on January 10, 2012. As I mentioned previously, I had a double inguinal hernia. I ultimately decided to go ahead and have both done at the same time via open incision with mesh just like JP.
My doctor said even though I didn’t have a visible bulge, my right hernia (the one that was giving me the issue) was moderate to large and the left (the one with no symptoms at all) was small to medium in size. Everything went well and as expected. I arrived at the surgery center at 8:00 n the morning, on the table at 10:15, in recover at 12:30, and home on the couch by 3:30 feeling a little sore but not too bad.
My experience was similar to JP in a lot of ways. I was on pain meds (Percocet) for only 2.5 days and Advil for a couple of more. The honest truth is the experience really wasn’t all that bad. I thinkk I scared myself so bad, nothing could have been worse!! I dreaded copnstipation and my first BM (as I experienced such from my knee surgery) but that wasn’t an issue either. Did a colon cleanse before surgery and, with stool softeners, a bland diet for a couple of days, and extra fiber as JP talked about I was fine.
I took four weeks off of work just to be safe, but I could have gone back in two but would have neded to wear sweat pants as I was still pretty swollen. I had plenty of sick leave built up so that wasn’t an issue.
It’s now 6 weeks post op and I’m really doing good. If I had to put a number to it, I’d say I’m at 80% recovered. Doc says I still can’t bowl for a couple of more weeks but I did some lawn work this weekend and had no issue picking up some 50 lb. bags of fertilizer. I still get twinges in the incision area and some deep shooting pains where I know the stiches are in the mesh, but the doc ensures me that will all settle down in time.
I really want to thank you both for your blog and replies. This was the best information I found yet about my issue and the daily experience log as well as the photos (my incisions look exactly like JPs…superglue and all) really answered a lot of issues for me.
For example, I had the flaky skin issue JP descibes. Normally I would have gone back to the surgeon, but I decided this must be part of the healing process and let it go. It went away. I had hard ridges (like rolls of pennies) under the incision. Earlier stuff I read said this was normal. I had some deep pain that concerned me, but JP decribed something simialr. Didn’t give it a worry and mentioned to the surgeon at my 10 day post opp visit. Said it was normal and will subside. Oh, and thanks a ton JP on the sitting up routine. Can’t tell you how useful that was. i could finally get up out of bed by myself after 7 days, but before that it was a battle but the sitting up instructions were a life saver!!!!
I also took JP’s advice and moved around as miuch as I could. Getting up and moving every hour during the recovery phase and later walking to Starbucks and back (several blocks away) was the best thing I could do . I kept at it, no matter how slow and old fartish I looked. I really think that was the key to feeling as good as I did.
I get asked from others if I am glad I had the surgery??? I don’t know. The jury is still out on that. I wasn’t experiencing much pain before on the side that was the initial issue (and no symptoms at all on the other where they also dioscovered a hernia) but it did start to bother me every week, especially after bowling. I thought I might as well get it done while they are minor and I’m still young and healthly. The pain now is no more or less than before. So I guess at least I should be satisfied that the now repaired herbias should not cause any problems in the future.
Thanks again for everything you guys did in corresponding with me. I can’t tell you how useful that was to me.
Best wishes to you Geoff on your continued recovery!
Jeff
May 30, 2012 @ 01:15:12
All of them had no problems following surgery and I don’t even remember that they had much pain or needed prescription pain meds. My sons were hospitalized for several days but grandson came home the next morning.
Oct 10, 2012 @ 11:04:58
good article until you said at least the Steelers lost…prick
Jan 24, 2013 @ 17:32:57
Thanks for the detailed and informative blog, JP!
I just had a bilateral open hernia repair yesterday. Didn’t find your blog till now, because before the surgery I kept googling the improper term, “double” hernia repair instead of bilateral.
I had a right open repair in 1980 with the old suture style repair. I’ve been running seriously for the last 4 years (including a couple of marathons) and 2 months ago started feeling the familiar hernia type pain on the left side. I went straight to my GP and was diagnosed with a hernia on the left side. I booked an appt. with a recommended surgeon in Boston asap. I’ve realized I’m addicted to running at this point (it has made so many positive changes for me) and don’t want to miss a marathon I’m planning to run this coming September. The surgeon checked the right side, as well, and said I had a returned hernia there, too. This is why I took the time to research a good surgeon (he’s chief of surgery at his hospital). My local doc didn’t even diagnose the right side needed repair again, even though he checked it.
My surgeon said he only does open style, even though he’s been trained to do laparascopic (keyhole is a slang term for this style). He believes laparascopic is great for gall bladders, but that studies have shown that the recurrence rate are higher for lap. I’m still wondering if I made the right choice as I’ve read that pain is so much less and recovery so much quicker for Lap. Style. I really want to get back to running asap. I’ve gained 15 pounds and my blood pressure is up. It didn’t help that I was home for the holidays and had plenty of food and drink available. One thing my brother the PT said was, if I had gone for Lap and I had a recurrence I’d be kicking myself that I didn’t go with open. I guess the best advice is to get a good experienced surgeon, whichever way you go.
So here I sit on the couch, in a good deal of pain, reading blogs and websites on hernias. One of the best I found on the subject from a surgeon’s point of view is this one:
http://ohiosurgery.blogspot.com/2007/12/inguinal-hernia.html
And even though I received a good deal of written info from the hospital, I found that these 2 sites added more good advice with their post op pages:
http://www.oregonsurgical.com/patient_prep_hernia.htm
Click to access ihr.pdf
It’s interesting how everyone seems to recover so differently, and the web pages I posted bear this out. While I seem to be in much greater pain than JP and some of the other that left comments here, I also had absolutely no nausea/vomiting as JP did. In fact, I’ve been quite hungry, but have made sure to eat fruit smoothies, veggie soup, and other high fiber stuff and take stool softener. I sure am dreading that first bowel movement, but the gas pains are a startin’. I’m trying to get up and walk around frequently, but it really hurts, and sitting down on our low toilet once so far was extremely painful.
So, JP, if you are ever checking this blog, you never reported if you ran that marathon in 2012. How soon did you start running and what advice would give on post op running?
And Steeler Steve…grow up! I was thrilled your Steelers lost in that Super Bowl too, but I’m sure you were just as glad my Patriots went down twice to the Giants in the SB. I’m not sure how you felt this year, as I’m sure you hate both the Patriots and the Ravens. If you did have surgery, I hope it went well, despite your football allegiances.
Jan 24, 2013 @ 22:17:06
OK Thanks I’ll have to add a tag so searches can find the word double.
Take it easy. Hope the surgery went well and pain subsides quickly.
Jan 25, 2013 @ 07:28:46
Thanks, JP. You might have missed my question about running as when I copy pasted from word, the paragraphs got removed.
You mentioned above wanting to train for the 2012 Music City Marathon. Did you train and run it? What was your experience getting back to running? I hope to do my next marathon this September.
Thanks, Erik
Jan 25, 2013 @ 08:09:33
Hi Erik,
I did a quick reply while at work 🙂 I wasn’t able to run the same year of the surgery as I had hoped. But 2012 was no issue at all. It takes a good six months before you are ready to resume all activities at full bore.
I think September is a reasonable goal. As my surgeon said to me, let pain be your guide. If it hurts you’re going too hard too soon.
Once you are able I would walk rather than run, until you can walk for some decent time/distance, then try out some jogging as your healing permits.
You may also want to lower your sights and just do the 1/2 marathon the first go around.
Jan 25, 2013 @ 08:36:19
Thanks for the running advice, JP. I’m thinking of getting on the eliptical and stationary bike at the gym to supplement walking.
Feb 05, 2013 @ 16:31:46
Hi,
I am 4 weeks into my recovery from open bilateral inguinal hernia. I wasn’t psychologically prepared for this as the original plan was for laparascopic surgery. My surgeon attempted laparascopic and found a large lipoma. He then opted to open me instead to mesh the hernias and remove the lipoma.
When I woke up I was given the news that I had open surgery and felt devastated. First couple of days were very painful. Getting in and out of bed was the toughest for me. Coughing and sneezing was excruciating. My scars are a little longer than yours. Mine almost join, there is only about an inch in the center separating the right from the left. I also have incision scars from the laparascopic attempt.
My recovery has been similar to yours. After 4 weeks I no longer have internal pain but I do get aches after doing something active.
The thing which bothers me the most is the incision scar. This is taking long to heal and is really uncomfortable with clothes on. I have tried tying a bandage around my waist to stop my clothes rubbing against the wound. This does alleviate the discomfort a bit but not completely. If anyone has any tips I would gladly like to hear your opinions about this.
I too enjoy running but don’t have the courage to attempt it yet. I have gained a bit of weight from being inactive so I am looking forward to start running again.
Nick.
Feb 05, 2013 @ 17:53:14
Nick:
I had some similar issues but that went away in about 6 weeks. What I did was wear a nice set of pants with an elastic waist (I actually found a nice pair of black jogging pants that didn’t look too bad for work. I even wore them to church with a suit coat and tie and from a distance you couldn’t tell a difference. Close up, yeah, but hey, I just had surgery). I found my pants too tight and don’t even mention wearing a belt. The elastic waist worked well.
Wishing you well in your recovery….Jeff
Feb 18, 2013 @ 13:52:41
Really useful blog – thanks. I’m on day 7 after open repair and it’s ok. Have found my testicle on the side I’ve had done is vaguely achy and hanging lower than the other (and therefore lower than I remember) but the nurses told me this was normal. The ache isn’t too painful – I’m just a bit worried. Anyone else have this?
Thanks again
Feb 18, 2013 @ 20:31:39
I believe your testicles get a fair amount of manipulation through the procedure. It’ll ache a little. Of course we all have one hanging lower than the other it’s just a question of are you a righty or a lefty 🙂
Keep in contact with your doctor if things take a turn for the worse, chances are things will get better with each advancing day.
Feb 18, 2013 @ 21:03:02
I’m on day 26 and my testicles still feel uncomfortable. I’ve read in many places that this is normal for many weeks, so I’m not concerned and don’t think you should be. When I had my first hernia repair (years ago) on the right, my right testicle ached more and hung lower than pre-surgery. Now after bilateral repair, the right side again hurts more and hangs lower. Also reported as normal for most men.
Feb 19, 2013 @ 03:34:30
Thanks both – it’s helpful to know and have the reassurance. JP – awesome Blog and a real help.
Aug 27, 2013 @ 21:10:05
My balls swole up to the size of a grapefruit and turned purple with red lightening bolts running down them, and they hurt so bad I could hardly walk for over a week. I had to walk with a cane taking baby steps for 2 weeks. They were so big that they were pushed out in front of my legs and getting smashed when I walked.
Jun 12, 2013 @ 13:18:14
As I was getting ready for the procedure I wanted to read as much as possible and try to find good news. It seemed like a lot of people that had issues were writing, but not so many who did fine. So I thought I would share my experience.
I was prepared for pain and things to go wrong, or at least have some bumps with the recovery. I am 43 and in very good shape. I had a laparoscopic bilateral inguinal and I have to say I could not have asked for anything better. The hernia was small on one side and just a start on the other, so it was optional, but I thought since I am going through I might as well have both done. Initially it was going to be open, but as I went for bilateral it made sense to do it laparoscopic.
I also have a very good friend who is a surgeon and he advised the same, so the surgery was done by one of his associates. It went flawless, the pain on a 1-10 scale was maybe a 3 the afternoon of the surgery, I slept the entire night and by the third day I was off the pain medication. However, the ice bag was my best friend for a few days. Testicles were a little sore, but by the fourth day I ventured to very carefully have sex with my wife. Big mistake. The ice bag was back big time. Testicles were really sore, but I knew I did no damage. No other issues and sex was fine after 12 days. One side note was going to the bathroom. Urinating was ok after a few hours and after drinking quite a bit of prune juice, by late second day after surgery number two was also fine. I was in the gym three days after surgery doing weightlifting with no more than 20 pounds, as instructed. On day 14 I was back in the gym with normal weights. I was told 2 weeks recovery and then I am free to do as I want. This was exactly true.
I am now 5 weeks after, there is no pain, I feel nothing as far as the mesh, the two scars are very smooth and all you can see are two 1/2″ incisions which are slightly pink, otherwise nothing. The incision by the belly button is still a bit more visible, but I am sure within 2-3 weeks it will be just about gone as well.
Maybe I was lucky, maybe I had a great surgeon, but I could not have imagined this going any better and the recovery was full and rapid. I don’t mean to brag, I just hope that someone out there will find this encouraging, although everyone’s case is different, but for sure this can be a not so unpleasant experience.
Sep 11, 2013 @ 14:05:15
Thanks for this helpful journal.Had a bilateral hernia operation as well as a umbilical done 22 days now. I still experience occasional pain on my right side and under my navel. I am not on any pain tablets as I want to identify clearly my recovery. I feel as if I am able to do things normally but after I usually have pains. I am learning to go easy.
Nov 12, 2013 @ 21:18:29
I am almost three months post Open Surgery (August 14, 2013), right side only. Inguinal (indirect) with lipoma and a direct hernia. The medical report called this a Pantaloon hernia.
Found that getting larger waist pants, and suspenders (Walmart), was helpful to avoid pressure (and associated pain) in the surgery area. Still using suspenders. Still avoid sleeping on my right side to avoid discomfort.
Dec 28, 2013 @ 22:59:54
I am 56 years old and have had three hernia operations in the pass now I have bilateral hernia one on each side, I’m afraid to have another operation thinking it will do no good.
Dec 29, 2013 @ 06:34:39
Hi Frank, are these Inguinal hernias.? How was the healing after the last three ops.? were they a problem being as you are worried about having further surgery.?
Geoff
Dec 28, 2014 @ 20:16:55
Thanks for the somewhat reassuring words concerning bilateral inguinal surgery. I plan on following your plan of action and see if it works in my case this Tuesday for my surgery. Gonna try to walk every hour on the hour, ween off of meds in 4 days, and stay in recliner otherwise. I’ve already started stool softeners and preop is tomorrow. I might document my progress day by day for the first 7 days on youtube. If I do so, I will attach link in my next blog on this site to possibly help someone else facing this type of surgery. Again, thx for everyone’s input….let’s get this thing done! 🙂
Dec 28, 2014 @ 20:50:57
Look forward to your feedback and any links to videos you have 🙂
Take it easy and do as the doc says 🙂
Dec 31, 2014 @ 14:13:14
Well jp I am home after my bilateral open surgery. For those of you reading, I am a 51 yr old 219 lb male 5’11” tall. Other than a few minor surgeries like appendectomy, pinoidial cyst, and vycectomy THIS was a first major surgery for me. The night before, i prayed for God to help me sleep the night and wake up without nervousness. ….that prayer was answered! I was in bed at 945pm, and woke up at 545am to pee! Obviously the Lord has a since of humor because i dreamed me and Aerosmith went camping together in the mountains! When i awoke i tried to ignore that verse in “Dream On” that says “maybe tomorow the good Lord will take you away!!! Ha! Anyway, here are the first 2 days:
DAY OF SURGERY: Arrived at the outpatient check in at 11:15am, hooked up to IV antibiotic and rolled into the OR. I was fully awake when I got there. They wrapped me in warm blankets, told a few clean jokes to set me at ease. Like flipping a light switch on and off I was first in the OR, and in 2 hours the switch was turned on and I was awake in the recovery room. I was worried, no TERRIFIED that waking up I would have horrific pain, but that was not the case. I woke up without nausea, drank a Pepsi and ate some crackers. The surgeon came in and we laughed and talked for about 30 minutes and all was fine until about 630pm. I had been setting up and laying back with only fentenol injections and 1 percocet, and out of nowhere HAVOC STRUCK! The worst pain in my entire life hit….worse than kidney stones! I don’t say this to alarm anyone, but to be truthful as you may be reading this blog for informational purposes as you plan for your bilateral OPEN inguinal hernia surgery. It seems I had a severe muscle spasm across my abdomen. It lasted a full 20 minutes as I screamed and cryed…I wonder how I kept from passing out! But the good news is that I shut off almost instantly after that time period and I was smiling and laughing with my family! (They were nauseated listening to me cry and I think a little afaid I would happen again, but it didnt).
Now for some happier news. The doctor admitted me in extended recovery that would carry me in the hospital thru the night until lunch the next day. I was relieved as well. Room 517 was my room. Upon arriving in my room I was given Demerol, and I was able an hour after the recovery transport nightmare to get up and set down on my own with minimal pain. Demerol injections every 3 hours, and 7.5 MG of Percocet every 4 hours. I ate with a normal appetite whatever I wanted until the next day at lunch when I went home. They did NOT catherize me in surgery, but said they may have to afterwards because most men’s bladders go to sleep after a sugary of this nature. I peed 150 cc only 4 times in 2 days! They had pumped 2 gallons of fluid in me on top of all the Pepsi and water I had drank, so they catherized me. That hurt worse than the entire surgery!!! They sent me home with a bag for 3 days, and then I have to remove myself! Makes it difficult to walk, but I walk anyway. Right now every 2 hours I get up and go! It’s been 24 hours since the surgery, and I can walk without stooping over. Home meds? (1) 7.5 Perocet every 4 hours, 600g of ibuprophen, (1) Flowmax pill per day for my bladder to wake up, and a stool softener with every percocet. Ice packs on incisions on 20 minutes, off 30. My wife drains cath bag each hour. Some swelling “downstairs”, but not on scrotum or penus…just above and around those areas. Incisions are 4″ left, 5″ right, and are glued. I can take a shower tomorrow. Incisions are parallel to my beltline. Right now as I sit still it is 2 30pm the day after surgery, an I almost feel no pain at all sitting still, but getting up is another thing. The discharge from the hospital (iredell memorial in statesville, nc) was easy, except for difficulty getting in our rav4. My wife took the bumpy roads but it made my pains no worse. My little granddaughter now 7 months old was brought over, and her smile brightened my afternoon! Last night (first night after surgery) I only slept 2 hours, but could sleep on my sides or back just fine.
I am video in my 1st seven days of progress, and will share the link on my youtube channel. The channel is my name “Brian Eades”. You will recognize the correct channel because I play a hammered dulcimer and perform places. Actually, upon arriving home from the hospital today, I went into my study, and played a little of “what child is this” on the dulcimer! I must be doing some better to do that lol! So far, I am glad I did this surgery. On the way TO the hospital yesterday I had to hold my groin to walk…..I chose NOT to live as I had for the past 4 years! I will submit the rest of my progress for the first week of my recovery, as well as the link to my video blog soon. Until then remember, the first 2 days can be tough, but worth it in the long run of life.
Jan 01, 2015 @ 08:52:47
DAY 3 (Jan. 1st 2015)- I woke up this morning 4am with no pain whatsoever while in a seated position, and while standing and walking. Transition from standing to sittING produced mild discomfort, but nothing to alarm me about. When the sun came up, I put on my shoes and a cap and took a pain-free walk up our 800 ft driveway and back! (No kidding). I may be overdoing it but this is how my body reacted. When I came in and sat down I felt the incisions a little, but no sharp pains! I will rest on the couch most of the day exempt for walks every 2 hours and I will blog more.
Jan 01, 2015 @ 17:04:08
Blog 6pm day 3- should have not overdone it because I am back on full meds every 4 hours! Walked too much too soon and swelling started in scrotum. Reddish color skin and iced all day until evening. Pull out catheter tomorrow morning and take a shower. No BM as yet…..using merilax. Still one 7.5 mg Percocet and 600 MG ibuprophen every 4 hours. On recliner for last night, then switch to bed on 4th day. Goodnight.
Jan 01, 2015 @ 18:28:40
Hi Brian. Sounds like you went through the wringer on the day of surgery. Glad to see you doing better now. Don’t rush back to work 🙂
Not many dulcimer players out there. One of my friends in Nashville plays and teaches the Dulcimer. We had him playing at my Daughters wedding.
Take care.
JP
Jan 03, 2015 @ 05:15:37
DAYS 4 and 5 recovery:
With surgery December 30th (tues), I found myself by friday January 2nd in pretty good shape being the 4th day! It would be my last morning in the recliner. No more moderate pain….only mild. I had gotten up and pulled my catheter out so i could move around better, and was able to urinate right away with no burning sensation! My doctor called and asked how things were going and I mentioned that my scrotum was swollen VERY LARGE and had turned black as coal! He said that it was a normal part of the type of surgery that I had, and that he had to do a lot more cutting internally in my case. He said to stay on percocets for a few more weeks gradually weening myself off of them, and that I still needed to take them at this point. No bowel movement as yet! Still use ice packs on private areas. Being the 4th day i actually reached a 7 day goal….to walk to my son’s house and back which is over 1/2 mile away with very little discomfort! As for DAY 5 (saturday) my overall swelling is going down. I gained 11-12 lbs of fluid in 4 hours from this surgery! In 5 days I have only lost 3 of those lbs.
Jan 06, 2015 @ 07:35:42
Well I’ve reached day 6 & 7 of my recovery and things are going really well. The only problem I’ve had is walking too much which tends to swell my groin area in the evenings. I have also completed my youtube video blog of my 7 day experience in recovery and it can be found by following this link:
At the end of the video I mistakenly mentioned the wrong blogspot to reach this forum, but I will correct it on the YouTube site to where others can benefit from JP and others experiences with this type of open surgery.
I can honestly say that day 3 was much better as far as pain goes, but I did over exert myself and was back in pain by the third day evening. I would say the 6th and 7th day were nothing short of miraculous. I’ve stopped basically all medicines now except 2 ibuprophen every 4 hours, and 1 stool softener in the mornings. I still have some minor discomfort walking as far as abdominal pain goes, but I choose rather to work through the minor pain with less medications. My doctor advised me to take Flowmax for my bladder until this Friday to be safe. Steri-strips still haven’t turned loose yet, and almost all the area around incisions looks normal now (except scrotum blackness and tenderness). I am seeing improvement there with each day. Again thanks JP and the rest of you guys for the valuable input that helped me through this, and I only hope I can return the favor by helping others through my experience. God bless!!!
Jan 23, 2015 @ 02:42:46
Brian, I’ve read the blog and all the comments and enjoyed yours the best. Watched and enjoyed the video that you posted above. I had the same Bilateral Ingruinal surgery as you and jp did, I had mine on the 29th and was heading home on the 30th as you were having yours done. I guess I was a little more fortunate than you, I didn’t need the catheter, I went just fine and only waited three days for a BM. All the gave me for pain was 3.5 Hydrocodone but of coarse the 800 mg. Ibuprofen helped with pain management also. One thing I can tell you is that first walk after surgery was more painful than the surgery itself but it had to be done. Was glad to go home tho, that hospital food and coffee was horrible, patient care was excellent tho. Before I left the hospital, I asked the doctor about restrictions, they were the usuals, but he added to the list, NO STAIR CLIMBING, for 2 weeks. I said GREAT, office is downstairs, o well. That one lasted about 2 days and I was downstairs working in the office. Getting down them wasn’t so bad but going back up was a whole nother matter but, by day 5 I was running up them. Anyway, this is day 25 now I am about 95% pain free and ready to go back to work on the first of Febuary. Considering the type of work I do I just hope it’s not too soon.
Jan 23, 2015 @ 07:44:48
I’m on day 25 as well. My pain is about 75 percent gone but I do have tenderness and numbing below the incisions. Last week I walked 20 miles so I would say I’m not doing too bad. My final surgical followup appointment is Monday. The doctor said that he had to do much more than he thought with my hernia repair and so he said that it may take longer to get back to normal but I am going to work which is an office job so not too strenuous. Take care and thanks for the input.
Jan 23, 2015 @ 12:34:37
I had hernia repair done a little over a year ago. It was bilateral inguinal and umbilical using the laparascopy method. Unfortunately the right inguinal has reoccurred so I am slated for surgery again on January 27. This time it will be open surgery. Will keep you posted after the procedure (Jamaica)
Apr 27, 2016 @ 21:33:38
Its been 2wks ago since I had the op. The right side where surgery had taken place still feels swollen and inflamed. Feels like there’s still tension in my groin so am afraid there wil be recurrence. I can walk but hving a hrd time breathing properly. Every 24hrs is significant in the healing process. Cant wait for my full recovery where I can go back to my normal routines. When will dat be? Btw, am active in sports. I miss jogging and be fit. Hoping that everyone’s fine here after surgery. Am from Philippines. 27 M.
Jul 18, 2016 @ 09:30:57
Hi Arvin, Im from the Philippines too. Hope we can talk soon. Had the same surgery. Im in 2wks now and have a little pain. Are you now in fully recovered? Whats the time span of recovery? Thanks
Apr 11, 2018 @ 02:33:36
Hi JP and gents, thank you for all your accounts and comments it’s a relief to find a community of men dealing with the same thing. I’m 40yr old living in Cape Town South Africa and 22 days post op on incisional bilateral ingunial hernia. The healing has been slow especially the wounds, one of which is still not completely closed. I’ve had a bad stroke of luck regarding the constipation although I think my case is very uncommon. I was completely blocked and returned to hospital and received fleet enemas every 2 hours with absolutely no success until it was decided to go to theatre and have bowel evacuation by gastroscopy. It was all very unpleasant but I’m back home again dealing with the ‘regular’ hernia repair issues and eating handful of prunes.
I had the testicular discomfort too but that has cleared in the meantime. What concerns me is this feeling of a burning rash on my left inner thigh, as well as the area of my abdomen between the incisions and my belly button. Sometimes even wearing a t-shirt is excruciating. Not to mention pants. There is no visible evidence of swelling or redness but it really is disturbing. I have read no accounts of this from anyone’s comments… did you have this too and does it pass pretty soon? Thanks again for ask the feedback and speedy recoveries! Mk
May 24, 2018 @ 19:57:00
Sorry to hear of your constipation problem of course that only caused more discomfort. The testicular pain is a common occurrence. Maybe the burning sensation might be as a result of the healing process.
By the way I was in Cape town a few weeks ago. A lovely city (Jamaica)
Mar 02, 2019 @ 04:57:51
Thanks for this blog. I am 5 weeks in and still have pains, most information and blogs say that you will be fine in a couple of weeks. So to hear I am not alone in this extended recovery is a help. Today is the first day I have managed jeans….. small steps.
Mar 13, 2019 @ 19:16:58
I never regret having it done it was a good thing in the end. Happy healing bro!
Mar 15, 2019 @ 09:32:06
Hello again
Well I’m shortly coming up for one year milestone after the surgery and already making plans for the next!! I guess I’m one of the small percentile of recurrences that sometimes happen 😓. Had quite an unpleasant experience the first time around, so I’m actively using delay tactics to postpone the next surgery… but sooner or later it will have to be done.
Anybody had similar experience…?