OT: Going under the knife and need a little advice...

[Bruce Scott]

At the risk of peeing off some people I'm throwing this into the ring.

On Aug 7 I go into hospital to have an inguinal hernia repaired and a painful spermatocele removed. All going well I will be discharged the following day.

This is a fairly common op in my age group and I'm just wondering how long the recovery time is. I have work to do...

[TedH]

I can't answer your questions, but I wish you well, with a speedy recovery.

[RKrodle]

I can't answer your question either but I do wish luck and a speedy recovery.

[Stan in SC]

In 1963 I had a double inguinal hernia repair.I was 22 years old.Back at work in four weeks light duty(no lifting).Completely healed in 4 months.
In 1973 I had a reoccurence on one side.I returned to work in four weeks.Completely healed in four months.
I overstrained myself which caused the reoccurence.Don't strain your self too soon.Give yourself plenty of time to heal.
Walk as soon as possible after you get out of surgery like the next morning.Walk a lot while in the hospital.It will do you a world of good.
Just because you heal outside DO NOT be thinking that you are healed inside.That takes longer.
You are late 50's.I am 67.Eight weeks ago(6/12/08)I had quadruple heart bypass surgery.
I'm doing great.I work out three times a week.I walk a mile a day.I have bad days though.You will also.Anytime I can help,email or PM me.Lots of luck.
Stan

[rjohns94]

best of luck. you will be in my prayers. be sure to let us know how the surgery goes and your recovery

[Hobie]

Prayers said for you Bruce. Patience is the key to recovery I think, at least for me.

We have a couple of docs here, OJ and AJMD.

[Ben_Rumson]

I've had an abdominal surgery and was released the next day...Got a spinal anesthetic..Was awake for the surgery..Afterwards the pain was very tolerable...Prolly could have gone home the same day..Was up & around after the spinal wore off...but they wanted to keep an eye on me overnight just to be on the safe side...make sure I could properly pee before releasing me...They gave me Codeine pain pills..I took them for that day & the next...Took a half a pill twice a day for a few days ... Main thing was being able to get out of bed without pulling the staples loose.. Got light duty after a month...No lifting over 25lbs..Don't know about the other repair you'll have...Good luck

[AJMD429]

I'm not a surgeon - the deepest thing I 'cut' is melanomas - but when I had my one-sided hernia repaired at age 19, I was in the hospital 2-3 days, and I remember about 6 weeks later running for the first time. Then, around age 45, I had BOTH sides repaired Thursday, took Friday off work, walked around outside Saturday, stacked firewood Sunday (and chased a runaway pigmy goat, which I shouldn't have done, because I tripped over the wood I just had stacked!). Back to work Monday, and walked less briskly but did fine. Within a week I think I was doing ordinary yardwork.

[C. Cash]

Prayers up Bruce....good to see your getting some good input here.

[Andrew]

I had a right inguinal hernia and was in/out in 3hrs, back to work light-duty in 2 weeks. The first few days I was completely worthless. I got better faster as the days went by though.

I have never had the other surgery done, but, when I had the hernia repaired it caused a lot of swelling in the other region. If you're having surgery on both places you could be in for some real soreness.

Best of luck on a speedy recovery!

[BenT]

In a few weeks you'll be back to 90% normal except for heavy lifting. Full range of motion won't happen for months. You'll feel tugging on that spot when you try to overextend , you'll know when your pushing your limits.

[Ysabel Kid]

Prayers up for a successful surgery and a fast recovery!!!

[Mark Wilson]

I had a left side inguinal hernia and and hydrocele repaired back in 1981. Doc sad no driving or work for three weeks. Was in hospital overnight drove myself home. Stitches came out in a week talked the Doc into releasing me to work after two weeks. This was just before I began working for myself, if it were to happen today I would return myself to light duty the next day.

Just follow what your body tells you. Used good sense not to overdue things. The more activity you are comfortable doing the faster you will heal. Keep a pillow or a towel handy in case you have to cough or sneeze. Coughing, sneezing into the pillow will reduce the pressure on the incision.

Walking is a great low impact exercise that will really speed up recovery.

Best wishes for a speedy recovery.

[Paladin]

I had a left side inguinal hernia and and hydrocele repaired back in 1981. Doc sad no driving or work for three weeks. Was in hospital overnight drove myself home. Stitches came out in a week talked the Doc into releasing me to work after two weeks. This was just before I began working for myself, if it were to happen today I would return myself to light duty the next day.

Just follow what your body tells you. Used good sense not to overdue things. The more activity you are comfortable doing the faster you will heal. Keep a pillow or a towel handy in case you have to cough or sneeze. Coughing, sneezing into the pillow will reduce the pressure on the incision.

Walking is a great low impact exercise that will really speed up recovery.

Best wishes for a speedy recovery.

Mark is right, every one is a little different you have to follow the signals your body gives you. I have been cut a few of times and Doctors did it all but two of them. The walking park is pretty important with light exercise early, for the getting back to normal according to the two flight surgeons who used to work for me..
Good Luck…

[Bruce Scott]

Many thanks for all your thoughts, prayers and advice.