Hernia surgery

Hey that's good news! Here's to a speedy recovery 
I only had 2 followup appts w/the dr btw.

Hope you get well soon.

 I thought I had a hernia a few years ago.  I cancelled an expense paid fishing trip to an island off Belize after the doctor told me about the risks of having something pop out and get caught up.   Figured not worth the risk of being that far from home.  I was cleared by the Dr eventually with no surgery.   Not sure what happened but it took a surgeon palpating my sternum through my groin to rule it out.  At least that is what it felt like he was going for.   

Old boss said the ideal recovery for these types of things involved a 6pack in your lap and a recliner. 


Eric Morgan
Trident Ultra 4.7
Not the guy selling the Outback
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Baby steps of progress;
Last night/ this morning about 1am I took a percoset and one more at 5am.  Then I made it though the day today with nothing.  I decided to try to walk.  Dr. notes to me said to walk as much as I want to.  Well, I don't want to, but figure I should.  So once an hour I get up and walk for about 10 minutes around the inside of the house.  Some times it's fine, other times there's a strong pinching pain.  But I'm working through it.  Totaled 6 each, 10 minute walks on day 4 post op, so I think that's good.  I'm going to bed now though, it's tiring!

I think I had two followup visits for each surgery.  Had to see the Dr. to be released to go back to work and also both times I had reactions to the tape that was used to cover the incision area (I had internal stitches that dissolved on their own).  The Dr. would just grab the tape and rip it off..........sounded like velcro and sure hurt like hell!  I don't know what kind of tape they use but it was strong stuff, I got a look at one of the tapes and there were hairs pulled out by the roots!  I had been shaved for the operation but the hairs were starting to grow back.   

I think I had two followup visits for each surgery.  Had to see the Dr. to be released to go back to work and also both times I had reactions to the tape that was used to cover the incision area (I had internal stitches that dissolved on their own).  The Dr. would just grab the tape and rip it off..........sounded like velcro and sure hurt like hell!  I don't know what kind of tape they use but it was strong stuff, I got a look at one of the tapes and there were hairs pulled out by the roots!  I had been shaved for the operation but the hairs were starting to grow back.   

Thanks for the warning.  I'll show up with a walking stick and make sure he understands neither one of us needs to feel any pain when removing that bandage!  Ha!! 

Update at 11am;
I went to sleep and woke up at midnight with a headache.  Took 800mg of Ibuprofen and went back to sleep until 6am.  Did the 'duty' and all went well.  Some coffee and juice with some sort of blueberry cereal this morning about 9am.  It's getting easier and easier to get out of bed and walk around for the first several steps before the pinching pain is felt. I'm sure that's some tugging on stitches. Sometimes its so sensitive even a light brush of my hand on the skin is too painful, other times, I can poke away and not notice anything.  What is it about guys and poking to see how much something can hurt anyways?  I'm going to continue my hourly walks around the house to keep things from getting too tightened up with my muscles.  I can tell other muscles are compensating.  My good leg had a few cramps and spasms as I got into bed for the last time last night.  I'm glad I'm not needing the pain pills other than an OTC headache pill.  I'll hang onto the leftovers though for any future dumb move I pull.   
Tomorrow afternoon, day 6 post surgery, I have a visit at the surgeon's office. He normally has them 7 to 10 days after, but with the Christmas holiday and that he's going to be out of town after Friday, he set it up for earlier rather than later.  I'm good with that!!  I've had zero bruising, no discoloration, almost zero swelling, no redness.  If the bandage wasn't there, it would be hard to tell I had anything done at all.  Very benign looking and therefore very deceptive of how much it can hurt if I move around the wrong way.  I've talked to other hernia patients who said they turned so black and blue that it scared them or that there was so much swelling they were worried as well.  I think a big reason I didn't swell or discolor is that I kept it ice packed with peas.  Even when I slept, I set a timer and put the pack on for 20 minutes and off for 20 minutes for the first 48 hours, then continued but less often for the next 24 hours.  I'm also glad I found a surgeon who had several thousand hernia surgeries under his belt and who came recommended from some others I've talked with about him. 

Have you had to sneeze, cough, or laugh yet since the operation?      

laughing isn't too bad. No sneeze yet.  Coughed when some liquid went down the wrong pipe.  THAT'S that sharp pain I feel when walking, that same pain as when I cough. 

I can clear my throat without too much pain, but I fear a 'real' cough.  It would cause me to faint I fear.