Second hernia operation 12/14

[JimD]

I have a bit more time to cruise the internet this week due to my second hernia operation on Monday. My first was on the other side about 5 years ago and was done conventionally. This surgeon wanted to do it laproscopicly (sp?) and my general theory is to let professionals do things the way they want or find somebody else if it is a big deal to me.

It's hard to reliably remember specifics from 5 years ago but I think I may be in less pain sooner than the first time. I do not know if it is connected to the type of surgery but I had a lot of trouble urinating after this one. I had to have a cathader to get out of the hospital and was up all night Monday night until I finally could pass urine. Fine now but that was a rough first night. If that comes with the scope style surgery I am not sure it is a good tradeoff. Might have been just the way my body reacted to the surgery this time.

Anybody else unfortunate enough to have experience?

Jim

[RAFlorida]

Jim, hope you get better soon after that

surgery. I appreciate what you wrote about the rough time passing urine. My hernia is about the size of my fist on the right side and have had it for over 3 years. Surgery has been a no-no because they tell me to stop taking Plavix for a week before surgery. In '07 I was scheduled for back surgery and quit taking Plavix and after the 3rd day had a heart attack. My heart doctor was upset that they told me to stop the Plavix. I wear a truss most of the time which helps to a degree, and other times I just push everything back in the ol' abdomen cavity.
So you need to just take it easy and see what's on the forum and the 'net and keep us posted as how you're doing. Get well soonest for the Holidays. And Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to you and family!

[crokett]

I am going in for hernia surgery on the 18th. I will have it done conventionally. It is a very small one as these things go and is not causing me any problems but as the surgeon said the first time I saw him "It doesn't matter what advice I give you today because that ring on your finger says you are getting it fixed". He also said that genetically I am predisposed to them.

[Knottscott]

Uuggh...BTDT 3 times Jim! (1978, 1980, 2000) None were laproscopic, although the 3rd ambulatory . I did have my appendix removed laproscopically...it's really the way to go...far less invasive. Hope you're recovery is smooth and fast.

[cgallery]

although the 3rd ambulatory

Wait, are you saying you were standing during the procedure?

[billwmeyer]

I hope all these surgeries have good outcomes.

I have a brother in law that is scheduled for surgery on his BASKETBALL sized hernia in mid January. It is a real concern because he has a terrible heart condition, but the doctors say there is a big risk of strangulation, so he has to do it. We about lost him twice already, and this is dangerous for him.

Bill

[JimD]

I guess I am lucky. One of the forms I had to fill out was for the drugs you are currently taking. I kept telling them "none" because that is true. My blood pressure is normal (or low if they don't keep me waiting too long), my cholesterol is good both total and HDL, colonoscophy showed nothing this year, no other issues. So I could have surgery. I walked about 1.25 miles yesterday and walked 1.5 miles twice today. I was walking laps around the outpatient release area Monday night after the surgery trying to work up some urine. I'm 54 so I am starting to get up there a bit but nothing to complain about. I had my appendix removed in 2003, first hernia in 2004 and now second hernia in 2009. My Dad has one now and his heart is too bad for them to operate too. So he wears a truss. My Dad had them before at least one of which was operated on. I don't think he got mesh, however. I got mesh inserted on both sides so I am hoping I am done with this. My surgeon did not think it was so great that I moved my daughters washer and dryer from her second story apartment to a second story laundry in the house she lives in now by myself. I think I will hear about that again when he checks me out after Christmas. I am pretty sure I had a hernia before her move but it got pretty clear I had one after the move. Closer to the size of my thumb than my fist, however.

Good luck to you guys. I talked to one of my engineers after writing this and he reminded me he had urination problems after a simpler surgery. He thinks it's my age catching up with me. He probably has a point. I removed the bandages a few minutes ago (it had been the prescribed 48 hours) and the wounds from the scope procedure are quite small (but there are three).

Jim

[ironhat]

When I was in my late 30's I had the convention on a small hernia and came home as soon as I awoke. I had terrible trouble the first night with urination. Who knows whether it's procedure or age mediated but it's a real pi***r either way!

[Knottscott]

Wait, are you saying you were standing during the procedure?

No, but I was shortly after. Surgery in the morning, home by noon. I remember opening one eye afterwards, and heard the nurse tell me to get up, get dressed, and pee so I could go home. "You gotta be kidding me...who's the insurance exec that thought this scheme up?" All I could think about was the burning pain in my gut from the 5" incision! I never realized what a rough riding car that Beretta was...

[crokett]

My surgery is gonna be ambulatory. I will be going home not too long after I wake up.

[JimD]

I was out patient for both of mine. This time I was out of surgery about 4pm (started at 3pm instead of noon like they said) and home about 9pm. I spent a good hour trying to urinate so I could have been home at 8pm. I'd rather not spend the night if I don't need to. Lots of infections in hospitals.

Jim

[williwatt]

3 Hernias fixed in one surgery

Last year I had two inguinal hernias and one umbilical hernia fixed in one laparoscopic surgery and I don't remember having much of a problem urinating. I do remember that I was amazed at how quickly I healed. I was originally only going to have two of the hernias fixed, but the surgeon advised that he might as well fix them all while he was in there. He said he gave me a discount.

Having seeds implanted in my prostate is another story -- I'm still having urinating problems a year later. I guess I should be thankful that I am still alive at 69.

[eccentrictinkerer]

I had mine done with the 'scope 5 years ago. Piece of cake until the nurse said I had to pee before they'd release me.

The bed-jug was a no-go, so I stood up to go to to the john and the nurse, a dead-ringer for a 20-year old Courtney Cox, said she would come in and help me. Yeah, right.

Took a few minutes, but success was mine and out the door in 3.5 hours.

Heal fast and remember, NO jumpshots for several days!

[JimD]

I'm still recovering fine. I drove to do some shopping for more Christmas presents for my daughter and to get some groceries yesterday (three days after surgery). Making candy and putting away luminary bags are on the agenda for today. I had to make a lot more trips carrying in the groceries from the car but I can get around fine, can drive my manual transmission vehicles without difficulty, and can do lots of stuff. My walking seems to be at my normal pace. I have a little discomfort but not much pain, until I cough (which I am not doing much but I keep a glass of water handy to minimize it).

I have a set of plantation shutters ready for finish. I want to spray both the primer and finish but will check the weight of the full HVLP gun and hose first (I will have my son do it) and make sure it is within my 10 lb limit. I also plan to wait a day or two more. Best not to rush things. As long as I have other things that need doing, I will do them first.

Jim