Hernia Surgery Questions

[daughtersrus]

We're pretty sure that DH has a hernia. He's going to the doctor this week just to be sure. When he sits up, he has a lump that sticks out. It's in the center, just below where his ribs separate. It's about 5 inches long.

His job involves heavy lifting, pushing, pulling...

I know that I'm jumping ahead but I'm trying to plan. Does anyone have any idea how long we should expect him to be off of work?

 

[golfgal]

Plan on at least 6 weeks after surgery and even then probably limited lifting for a few months. Hopefully he has some short term disability coverage to help.

 

[daughtersrus]

That was not what I wanted to hear.

DH does not get any sick pay at all. Things have been very slow at work as well so his checks have been lower than normal these last few months.

Besides that, we have a disabled daughter and it's very difficult for me to carry/lift her especially up and down the stairs.

I'm waiting for the doctor's office to open.

 

[Meriweather]

Having had about 8 hernia surgeries ........for a heavy lifting job, at least 6 weeks, maybe longer. You want every thing to heal all the way. That area may be weaker for a time still and if you rush things too fast, it will come back.
Doctor will know best, if that is what it is.
Good luck.

 

[PatsMom]

If his job involves heavy lifting, pushing, etc it is worth asking the doctor if the job might be what caused the hernia. Although if he also lifts your daughter a great deal, it might be hard to say what caused it. If it is the job, he might be eligible for workmen's comp.

Good luck. My DH had a double hernia repair and was back at work in a few days. But he had a desk type job. He was restricted from heavy lifting, pushing, etc for at least six weeks. I remember because I had to mow the lawn and I hate mowing the lawn!

 

[daughtersrus]

If his job involves heavy lifting, pushing, etc it is worth asking the doctor if the job might be what caused the hernia. Although if he also lifts your daughter a great deal, it might be hard to say what caused it. If it is the job, he might be eligible for workmen's comp.

It could be but there's no way that we would consider having it covered under workmen's comp. In the 25+ years that he's worked at his shop (car dealership), the two guys that had workmen's comp injuries both were fired within a year and a half of coming back. Of course it wasn't because of the claim but they watched every little thing and wrote them up for the littlest things. Three write-up and they can fire you.

Not worth the hassle especially since we need the health insurance for DD.

 

[nuttypretzel]

I had the mesh put in. The doctor said I could return to work in 3 days. Light lifting, but no roller coasters, for two weeks. Fourty pound limit for the following 2 weeks then no restrictions after that.

 

[james'mommy]

DH had a mesh repair last year and he wasn't able to lift anything over 10 pounds for 6 weeks. To hear DH tell it the surgery was horrible, worse then a c section. Thank god men don't have to give birth.

 

[java]

My dad had the surgery a couple years ago and you would have thought they skinned him alive.

Then last year my 5 year old had to have the surgery. He was fine by that afternoon! I was shocked. They wanted him to avoid anything that could aggravate it for 6 weeks- He loves soccer. They allowed him to play after 2 weeks. Because he was really recovering that quickly. I guess it depends on how healthy he is besides this?

I hope it goes smoothly for him.

 

[Avalon_toon]

Our son had a hernia repaired when he was two - Dr. said he'd be really sore for 3 days, then he'd be leaping off the couch. We didn't realize he meant that literally until the end of the third day, when our wounded little guy literally got up and started leaping from couch to floor. So assuming adults are somewhat similar, I'd guess 3 days off work, and maybe he can request "light duty" or something for a few weeks after that.