Hernia Repair?

[SweetErika]

Hubby's had occasional, short bouts of pain in his lower abdomen for many years, and finally got it checked out last night when he was at the doctor for stitch removal. As we suspected, it's a recurrence of a hernia (we're not sure what type, but most likely inguinal) that was repaired when he was five or so. The doc referred him to a general surgeon, but he's reluctant to go because it will most likely result in surgery and he "doesn't have time for that" (read: he's a little scared).

So, I've done a fair amount of research and know most repairs now use the "tension free technique" involving mesh, local anesthesia/sedatives, and very minimal pain and recovery time. I was wondering if anyone's had experiences with this though, and think maybe hearing accounts of real people would help.

What procedure (open, laparoscopic, tension free) was done?

What type of doctor/surgeon performed it? While I know a general surgeon would work, we'd like to find someone who specializes or does a ton of these in the Seattle area, and I'm having trouble finding that info.

How much pain was involved, or maybe what was required for relative comfort (ice, prescription painkillers, OTC pain relievers, etc.) and for how long?

What was the recovery like, in terms of time, work (hubby has an office job, BTW), limitations, and general interference with normal activities?

Any other related thoughts?

Thanks!

 

[The Gimp]

I had a laparoscopic hernia repair done about four years ago. I would assume that the procedure was done by a general practice surgeon, considering the size of the hospital I wouldn't think that they would have a hernia specialist on site. I had more than my share of pain before the surgery, but with the exception of the catheter insertion (the nurse screwed that up a few times ) the recovery was entirely pain free. I was off work for a week after the surgery during which time I took some rather potent prescription pain medication. Had the doctor not given it to me I don't think that I would have felt the need to take anything at all. At the time my job was 90% physical labor so upon my return to work per doctor's orders I was assigned to light duty. A month later I was back to 100% without having felt a lick of pain during the recovery process. If I had to do another surgery (especially one involving a catheter) the only thing that I would change is to have it done at a major well known medical facility. Just be sure to heed the doctor's advice and don't lift anything during recovery to give your body time to heal properly.
good luck

 

[Bottomlover]

I had an inguinal hernia repaired about 4 years ago. It was done by a general surgeon and he did it through an incision. A mesh was installed.

The surgery was done on a Thursday morning, and I went home that afternoon. I took Tylenol #3's on Thursday, Friday and Saturday and switched to OTC Tylenol on Sunday. I returned to work (a desk job) on Monday. Two weeks after the surgery my doctor cleared me to scuba dive, as long as I used a light aluminum tank. I was better than new in less than a month. I was 50 years old at the time.

Hope this helps, I would encourage your husband to get it done before it becomes a bigger problem. It wasn't bad at all.

 

[TBKahuna123]

OK, I got some answers for ya from my friend who is a surgical technician.

What procedure (open, laparoscopic, tension free) was done?
Depends on the severity. If it's higher up they might go with a lap, but usually it's an open surgery. They might use the tension free, but there really isn't mush difference in healing time. He said open surgery is open surgery.

What type of doctor/surgeon performed it?
General surgeon. This is a simple surgery and there really aren't any specialists in this area.

How much pain was involved, or maybe what was required for relative comfort (ice, prescription painkillers, OTC pain relievers, etc.) and for how long?
Again, depends on the severity. If it's an actual hole in the muscle it can be fairly painful. Chances are though it'll be painkillers with codien, Tylenol-3 or something like that. Maybe something stronger, though probably not. It might involve an over night stay, but no more than a day or two at the most.

What was the recovery like, in terms of time, work (hubby has an office job, BTW), limitations, and general interference with normal activities?
There will be some limited mobility. Again, depending ont he severity, it could ba week or two. Usually within a couple weeks though he'll be back to normal. He may have to restrict certain activities(dare I say sex) for a few more weeks. Again though it all depends on the severity of the hernia.

The one thing he stressed was the worse it gets, the more painful it is to repair. Do it now before it gets worse!!!

Oh and I've foudn the number one recuperative need is an understanding wife who 'll baby him and attend to his every need for the time he is laid up. Of course the wife is entitled to major payback once recovery is complete.

Hope this all helps.

PS: I was gonna PM you Erika, but your mailbox is full.

 

[SweetErika]

Thank you so much, Gentlemen! I'll pass the replies on to hubby, and am sure he'll feel better about the whole thing. In the quick assessment, his GP said it was "small," so hopefully that'll mean an easier surgery and recovery. Plus, he's got age, good health, and a high pain tolerance working for him.



Sorry about the full Inbox, TBK! I usually stay on top of it, but it got away from me this time. All fixed...you can now send me 92 if you're feeling especially talkative.

 

[Cathleen]

Erika, please send my best wishes to Mr.SweetErika. I hope he garners the strength to just get it done. And hello to you my friend.

 

[fr34k_n45ty]

Last May on the 11th my bf has a hernia surgery. Since his was so large (he had it for 7 years and the doc that examined him when he was trying to get into the army misdiagnoiced(sp) it) they had to put a pretty big hole it him. Doc said it was the biggest one he had seen in a while. He said he didn't have too much pain. They gave him vicadin. He went back to work a week later without too much troble. And he was fine to help move all our stuff into our new apt on the 1st of June. He's healed well and doing great. I met is surgen when he was in recovery, he was really nice but idk if he was a general surgen or if he was a specalist.



Since they couldn't do it laparoscopicly they put this nice big hole in him.
http://www.dialcollect.org/content/image/scartissue.jpg

P.S. I hope everything goes well with his surgery.

 

[redrocketracer]

hernia repair

If you cut and paste the response from Bottomlover a couple of posts up my situation was and is the same, no scuba diving, but did race in my Formula Ford 2 weeks later.

 

[wellnow]

I have a more or less small inguinal hernia and am considering an operation and from what I've read, I would prefer the procedure that Bottomlover describes, but I would like to be sure about the anesthesia used. Was it local?

That is my major concern. I don't live in the US and the doctors here are somewhat less than enthusiast about local anesthesia. The majority suggest a spinal block (if that is what it is called in English)

I would appreciate your comments or suggestions on anesthesia recommended or used. That is my fear.

Thanks,

 

[likesmbig]

Had two

I've had two repairs, one on each side. Both were open because at the time the laparascopic procedure was not available. The first was done under a local anesthesia and I had a lot of complications. There was a lot of pain and swelling right after the surgery and I had to be catheterized. It was three weeks before I could go back to work and at one point they had to use a needle to drain fluid from my groin.

The second time they used general anesthesia and there were no complications, and I went back to work one week later.

 

[SweetErika]

I've had two repairs, one on each side. Both were open because at the time the laparascopic procedure was not available. The first was done under a local anesthesia and I had a lot of complications. There was a lot of pain and swelling right after the surgery and I had to be catheterized. It was three weeks before I could go back to work and at one point they had to use a needle to drain fluid from my groin.

The second time they used general anesthesia and there were no complications, and I went back to work one week later.

Thanks for the response, and welcome, L!

I'm sorry to hear you had such a tough time with the first one. From what I've read, laparoscopic isn't recommended in most cases because it hasn't proven any better than either the open or tension-free mesh techniques...worse actually because there's more room for error and the repairs fail more frequently. It sounds like they determine the type of surgery and anesthesia based on the size and location of the hernia(s) and patient comfort, but we'll definitely ask if there's a higher risk of complications such as infection with the local procedure now that you've brought it up. Thanks again!

 

[wellnow]

I've had two repairs, one on each side. Both were open because at the time the laparascopic procedure was not available. The first was done under a local anesthesia and I had a lot of complications. There was a lot of pain and swelling right after the surgery and I had to be catheterized. It was three weeks before I could go back to work and at one point they had to use a needle to drain fluid from my groin.

The second time they used general anesthesia and there were no complications, and I went back to work one week later.

Thanks very much, Likesmbig. I wonder if the anesthesia could have been the determining factor or something else. I would certainly prefer local over general.

Have a great weekend,

 

[wellnow]

Thanks for the response, and welcome, L!

I'm sorry to hear you had such a tough time with the first one. From what I've read, laparoscopic isn't recommended in most cases because it hasn't proven any better than either the open or tension-free mesh techniques...worse actually because there's more room for error and the repairs fail more frequently. It sounds like they determine the type of surgery and anesthesia based on the size and location of the hernia(s) and patient comfort, but we'll definitely ask if there's a higher risk of complications such as infection with the local procedure now that you've brought it up. Thanks again!

That would really be great to know, SweetErika. I would like to keep the operation as simple as possible plus I have the idea that general is more of an issue the older a person is.

Enjoy your weekend.

 

[likesmbig]

Actually, I should have mentioned that I had the two different operations in two different hospitals, which I think is the reason why one used a local and one did not. I don't know if the local was the reason for my complications, but I can tell you that I had a much better overall experience at the hospital where the general anesthesia was used. It had a much smaller surgery center, only a few beds so it was much more private, and the same nurse took care of me before and after the operation.

The doctors like to talk about how routine this is and how there's very little risk, but my first hernia repair caused some permanent damage to my urinary tract, so you are smart to ask questions and be as informed as possible.

 

[wellnow]

Actually, I should have mentioned that I had the two different operations in two different hospitals, which I think is the reason why one used a local and one did not. I don't know if the local was the reason for my complications, but I can tell you that I had a much better overall experience at the hospital where the general anesthesia was used. It had a much smaller surgery center, only a few beds so it was much more private, and the same nurse took care of me before and after the operation.

The doctors like to talk about how routine this is and how there's very little risk, but my first hernia repair caused some permanent damage to my urinary tract, so you are smart to ask questions and be as informed as possible.

I totally agree. That is one of the reasons that I haven' t had the operation yet. Maybe I'm asking too many questions.

Thanks again,