HERNIA

[Bill2380]

I've been putting up with an umbilical hernia for about a year now. It has been bothering me more lately. My family doctor suggested see a surgeon about repair. Outpatient surgery, should be no big deal. Question though, does anyone know how long recovery time normally is? I'd hate to be unable to lift or play b ball for too long. It takes too long to get back in shape at 48. Thanks.

Bill

[walt]

It depends on how they go about fixing it. I've had 2 hernia repairs and they took from 4-6 weeks to be back to "normal" but that in no way means I was able to start lifting again. Thought I had to go for a 3rd awhile back but went to the surgeon and it was just a muscle pull over the old repair. When I was thinking I had to undergo a 3rd in all honestly I almost cried. In some instances now they can repair them thru very tiny incisions. The word for that may be "arthroscopic" but I may also have that spelled completely wrong. At any rate it is no fun at all. However you are going to have to have it done eventually so might as well buck up and do it. The sooner it gets done the sooner you'll be done with it. I would suggest that if they do a standard repair to have the mesh put it in. First time I did not have it done that way and a few years later was back under the knife. Since they used the mesh last time it's been about 5 years and I have never had a problem since. Good luck!

[Bill2380]

I'm going to make an appointment to discuss it with the surgeon. I'll see what he/she has to say. You're probably right, bit the bullet and get it over with. Thanks for your input.

Bill

[emartin10]

I had the surgery walt was talking about, with the very small incisions. I popped the hernia about a month before baseball season, and was in 'baseball shape' in about 2 weeks. I wasn't able to begin lifting normally for about a month there after, but was able to be active rather quickly.

The drawback to this surgery is that they use a 'mesh' screen to repair the hernia. So they put a patch over the hole, rather than sew it up. These patches have been known to get rejected by men's bodies. I don't have anything to link to this, just something my surgeon told me (at my year check up, a little late Doc, no?). I was still having pain, and he told me that's why.

You should talk to your surgeon, and figure out what you want to do. I wish I had taken the time and got the better surgery. Hindsight's always 20/20 I guess.

[Bill2380]

Thanks, I'll ask him about that. I appreciate the information.

Bill