MEN:::inguinal hernias, anyone???

[hemispheredancer]

Has anyone had an inguinal hernia repair? Dh consulted with the surgeon today and he has recommened a repair. This will be an open incision not laparoscopic. MD says 10-14 days off work and then he will examine and possible release him for work. DH is a heavy equipment operator. He doesn't really do heavy lifting at work, just has to get into his machine. He sits all day and operators foot/hand controls. If you have had this surgery, what was your recoop time? How was the pain? He has never had any surgery and doesn't know what "real" pain is. Any info you can share would be appreciated. TIA.

 

[BibbidiBobbidiBOO]

DH had this about 5 years ago. He had never had any surgery. He had it done on a Wed. and was back at work on Monday. BUT, he is upper level management and could sit at his desk/walk around offices much of the day. He only worked half days for the first 2 days back too.

I will say that days 2 and 3 after surgery were the worse for him. I do NOT want to repeat this experience with him and YOU will need prayers those days! Remember that standing/sitting/going to the bathroom involve those muscles. Good luck.

 

[MosMom]

My active toddler had this surgery and was back running around in just a few days. We had to force him to take it easy. If your husband truly sits all day I would say all he needs is a long weekend.

 

[BibbidiBobbidiBOO]

My active toddler had this surgery and was back running around in just a few days. We had to force him to take it easy. If your husband truly sits all day I would say all he needs is a long weekend.

I should have added that my DS had the surgery also at 4 months and did not even seem to notice. Entirely different for an adult, unfortunately (or perhaps a man? )! I was hoping DH would do as DS did!! No such luck.

I do know DH had mesh put in, and on babies the opening is simply stitched.

 

[hemispheredancer]

THe surgeon said there would be mesh attached. MInd you he has never had surgery so he is anticipating the worst case scenario! He thinks he will be off for 6 weeks. Dr did say he will see him after about 10 days. I sure hope he will be able to go back to work relatively soon because I know he will be on my last nerve! I have a feeling that if he gets it done soon (which he is talking about) that means I have to deal with him AND the 2 kids. That ought to be a joy! I will have to see about getting some Xanax to help me cope since I think he will try to milk it out. He even came up with the brilliant idea that if he will be home for a few weeks we could take off and go vacation somewhere. Is he nuts???? HELLO!!!! He is not making any money and will not be getting sick pay. There are bills still to pay (enough $ in the bank at least) and he wants to go spend more. I think not. I know I will need lots of PD to get through this.

 

[thelionqueen]

My four year old just had his surgery in April and was running around the same day! He was, what I would consider 100% in 2 days. I know kids heal faster than adults but it was very quick, painless and easy. Hope his goes as well!!

 

[minkydog]

THe surgeon said there would be mesh attached. MInd you he has never had surgery so he is anticipating the worst case scenario! He thinks he will be off for 6 weeks. Dr did say he will see him after about 10 days. I sure hope he will be able to go back to work relatively soon because I know he will be on my last nerve! I have a feeling that if he gets it done soon (which he is talking about) that means I have to deal with him AND the 2 kids. That ought to be a joy! I will have to see about getting some Xanax to help me cope since I think he will try to milk it out. He even came up with the brilliant idea that if he will be home for a few weeks we could take off and go vacation somewhere. Is he nuts???? HELLO!!!! He is not making any money and will not be getting sick pay. There are bills still to pay (enough $ in the bank at least) and he wants to go spend more. I think not. I know I will need lots of PD to get through this.

I think he doesn't know what he's in for. Hernia surgery isn't toooo bad, but it hurts for a few days. Adults take much longer to heal than children, so you really can't compare the recovery periods. Rest, ice, pain relievers. The thing most men don't anticipate about surgery is how the anesthesia messes up your thinking. He may feel better in a few days, but it may take longer for his mind to be sharp again. He can expect some soreness down there, so no sudden movements(like applying the brakes--no driving!)Keeping the bowels flowing is probably the biggest problem that most men have, due to the asnethesia, pain, and forced rest. There are good stool softeners--make sure he has them, as well as fresh veggies and fruit.

One reason for the 10-day follow-up is to keep him from disrupting the wound site and give it time to heal. He will probably not feel much like a vacation, although he could enjoy dinner and a movie. He won't need to be an invalid, but he won't want to do a lot of walking. When it's all done, he'll feel much better.

 

[BibbidiBobbidiBOO]

THe surgeon said there would be mesh attached. MInd you he has never had surgery so he is anticipating the worst case scenario!
I know I will need lots of PD to get through this.

Yes, children are born with them, and the surgery is much simpler. In an adult they develop and are worse to deal with I am afraid. More muscle to cut through, etc. Plus the mesh and a larger area to deal with. Entirely different then what DS went through.

DH was pitiful. He could not sit up without help the first 3 days but thankfully slept a lot. I kept him on the pain meds. One did make him nauseous and that was worse to me than his pain, so I called and got phenergan thrown in and he SLEPT! I kept ice packs on the area for days with the Dr.s ok. It seemed to numb the area and helped with pain, swelling, etc.
GOOD LUCK!

 

[hemispheredancer]

I have to look at it this way, too: it will get me off the hook for a few weeks at least! He is pretty tough. Never takes any drugs except for Tums once in a great while. I am sure he will resist pain meds as much as possible unless he is in dire pain. Not sure when he will get this scheduled but I am almost positive it will be this summer since his beloved hunting season starts 10/1 and to miss that would be the end of the world.

 

[Towncrier]

Been there. Done that. Have the scars to prove it.

I had my surgery back in the mid 1980's. I was out of work for about 3 weeks. Lifting anything was out of the question for the first week or so. And I pray that your DH doesn't have to sneeze. Yikes.

Honestly, the pain wasn't bad. The surgery went quickly. The hospital did screw up and leave me on a gurney overnight in the Emergency Observation Unit due to my surgery ending around the time of a shift change. They won't let him go home until they are sure that all the plumbing is operational.

He'll do fine.

 

[BibbidiBobbidiBOO]

I have to look at it this way, too: it will get me off the hook for a few weeks at least!

Don't count on that! They like to make sure things still work. Maybe a week, tops. Maybe only 4 or 5 days...

 

[MamaLema]

I'm not a man so I couldn't tell you exactly but DS had this when he was 7. He said the IV hurt more than anything else and he was back to normal the next day. Kids heal faster than adults, though

 

[Dakota_Lynn]

There is a great message board devoted to hernias, repairs, and surgery recovery. You'll find answers to all your questions there!

 

[BibbidiBobbidiBOO]

There is a great message board devoted to hernias, repairs, and surgery recovery. You'll find answers to all your questions there!

This was a great source for us before, during and after the surgery. I forgot all about it!