Mt Whitney Zone Forums The Chat Room Any advice for.. Hernia?

Not in a great mood right now, but then again, a hernia.... there are many things that are worse. My problem is patience. I want them to do surgery this afternoon so I know I'll be ready to go sooner. But, my first Dr's appt for the hernia specialist (whatever that means) is for March 7th.

Has anyone had one of these? Mine is small, but right under the navel.... I'm looking up recuperation, getting back to hikes, workouts, weights (though I'll slow down on those).... ANY advice, knowledge, would be greatly appreciated. If you've had a hernia surgically repaired, I want to know what you went through and what I may expect.
Thanks
Joe

Awwwww, Joe....that just sucks!!

Is there a good story as to the cause of the hernia? Like lifting a boulder off a trapped mountain lion or something?

One thing to be aware of in your search: I'd guess that about 99% of your finds will refer to inguinal hernias, by far the most common type.

However, it sounds like you are describing an umbilical hernia, a different thing altogether.

The specifics matter, in terms of your questions (past surgical history, medical conditions, etc).

Most important: do you need a surgical intervention, at all. Not all do.

Hi Ken, Thanks.... Well, my appt is with another doctor now as I just wasn't comfortable with the first office. The second office was nice, I talked with everyone I could and his ratings were very, very good compared to the first doctor. So, I guess I'll know what's going on when I have my appt on Monday. I didn't know that some hernias don't need surgery, so my fingers are crossed.
I'm not real worried as my body probably needs the rest anyways, so a few days off (I hope only a few) would probably do it good. I don't particularity need weight training as far as gaining mass, and at my age, it hasn't come easily anyways. I've been contemplating lowering my weights and just trying to keep the slight definition I have. As many of you know, I was 255 lbs prior to my hip replacement, and now I'm around 188 to 190. I'd still like to take about 5 to 8 more pounds off prior to hiking Whitney...... just a goal, not a necessity.
As far as past surgical history. I had a few surgeries when I was younger, appendectomy, thumb repair from slicing my tendon in half, one when I was in 6th grade where they removed a benign tumor from my neck, my cancer surgery, which was also on my hand, and my hip replacement. I did get MRSA after cancer surgery, but thankfully that went away fairly fast.
I'm 55 5' 11" and extremely healthy with a resting heart rate of 57 to 58. I can treadmill for hours, same with stairclimber and bike. Hiking is actually much tougher than any of the cardios I do, but I can do okay. I have low blood pressure, which wasn't the case at 255. And, most of all, I feel great and I can keep up with the kids in their 20's at the gym...... well, until now :-)
I'll update on Tuesday or so. If anyone wants to e-mail, my e-mail is quillansculpture@verizon.net
And Ken, I really do appreciate your advice and always have.

and wazzu, no, not this time.... just lifting too much on bicep curls in front of my 21 year old.

QS,

One of my brothers has had two hernia surgeries. My brother also has cerebral palsy (CP), he's partially paralyzed on his left side and he has other issues due to his CP. He's my one of my older brothers. He had pretty bad hernias too, especially the first time, because he was (I think) embarassed or did not know what was wrong with himself. He finally called me one day to ask me to take him to the doctor. I took him and he wanted me to go into the room to meet with the doctor. I quickly realized he probably needed one of my other brothers with him and not his sister because he had to show the doctor what was ailing him. I was of course a good sister and looked away. The second time he got a hernia he knew immediately what he had and didn't wait so long to tell someone he needed help. I took him back and forth to the hospital for his surgeries, but my other brothers stepped into help with his doctor visits. Bottom-line, my brother did well with both surgeries, he was back on his feet in no time although he had to take it easy for a while, but before I knew it he was back to his old self. I am so blessed to have all my brothers. They are truly a comfort to me.

QS, you'll do just fine during and after your surgery, I'd bet on it.

JQ,
I have an umbilical hernia as well. I was worried about it as someone suggested that it was really dangerous (bowel getting constricted in the hernia). Then my doctor told me that it wasn't really a big deal. That yeah, sure, I should get it fixed one day. Probably better if I do it after I lose some weight.

I think that the hernia developed about a year ago. Since then I have been on the MMWT a couple of times and gone up to Meysan lake. Plus a fair amount of local activity.

I also had bilateral inguinal hernias. Got those fixed 13 years ago. Gotta tell ya, the rehab on that little slice and dice was a bitch. Probably two weeks before I could comfortably move around and a month before I could be really active. But apparently the muscles in the lower abdomen are more involved in pretty much any bodily movement than the muscles right around the belly button. I'm sure the doctors in the crowd will confirm or correct this.

Seems like everyone in my family has had inguinal hernias: Dad, sister, myself, my kids. Mine was insignificant enough that I don't remember how long the recovery was.

The one thing I do recall, though: If you have the surgery, take something to clean you out before surgery, because you don't want to do #2 for as long as possible afterwards. And the other advice: Vicodin causes constipation, and makes #2 real difficult. I hope you get the picture
Be sure your surgeon gives you the right preparatory advice. Mine didn't

I had surgery for an epigastric hernia a couple of inches above my innie. Post op wasn't too bad so I slacked off on the pain med after a day or so and just relaxed on the extended lounge chair. Then I got hit with a sudden and unexpected cough. Stay on the pain meds and stay ahead of the pain.

QS,

P.S. My brother was also in his 50's for both his hernia surgeries. Because he has cerbral palsy, physically getting around is much tougher for him than for the normal person like your or me, so he only took pain meds for a day or two after his surgeries. CP is a brain injury and of itself so adding drugs to the equation can really make my brother off his equilibrium, so he'd rather endure physical pain rather than hinder his ability to walk and do normal functions due to pain meds interferring with his mobility / motor functions.

As I said before, you're probably going to be just fine, you have more going for you than some. Sounds like you're in good physical condition except for your hernia.

I know, I sound like I'm bragging about my brother, BECAUSE I AM, he's an awesome person and human being.

Umbilical hernias are tough to repair as opposed to an inguinal hernia which repairs fairly well with a laproscopicly inserted mesh.The Umbilical Hernia is complicated by the tearing of abdominal wall and muscles.It is hard to sew or patch.The procedure doesn't have great outcomes. As Ken states make sure it is absolutely necessary before proceeding. Umbilical hernias are not as dangerous to ignore as it doesn't carry the serious risk of colon strangulation that inguinal hernias present.Good luck bro.

I find out tomorrow when surgery is...... found out today it "is".
Damn, I gotta get my six-pack before then to make it easier on the doctor! My step kid said it's okay, because with a hernia, I have a 7 pack :-(

You'll look like an alien is popping out.

I think I have finally figured out the tattoo design I want. Total 3D effect and all

Surgery is Tuesday at 12:00 noon. Woooo Hoooo, can't wait.

Best of luck! Here's to a smooth and speedy recovery!

Good luck, Joe. It won't be that bad.

But remember what I wrote above about pre-surgery!

QS,

I wish for you a very quick recovery. If you can get through the Wild Wild West Marathon and still look as good as you did in the photos I saw, you can get through anything, the WWM is not a piece of cake. I'm sure your surgery will be a slice of pie, which in my book is much better than a piece of cake.

Someone once gave me some good advice before I had my wisdom teeth taken out. They told me that because I was going to be put to sleep I should remember to "Think Only Good Thoughts" right before I'm put to sleep because whatever a person is thinking about when they are put to sleep will be the same thoughts they will dream about throughout their surgery, so if you think good thoughts you'll wake up happy and probably have an easier recovery. I took their advice and I had the most wonderful dreams while I was out and I recovered quickly.

I look forward to your posts after your surgery.

I'll be thinking about you on Tuesday,
All the best to you,
Lynn-a-roo

So.... you're saying I should think about a bikini clad Scarlett Johansson giving me a shoulder massage and feeding me grapes while I'm on the summit of Mt Whitney :-).... And of course then asking me to spend the night in the summit hut with her.
That I can do!

Joe, I think Lynn meant a little more prosaic kind of "happy thought": harp music, butterflies, waterfalls - ya know? Your specific brand of dreamland could cause complications during the surgery . . .

They have a special instrument to mitigate that complication. Details are not required.