Inguinal Hernia Repair - Open method with Mesh -- Surviving (Page 1)

Inguinal Hernia - Open Repair Method with Mesh

My experience
 
Background on me

I am male 37 years old and fit up until the time I got my hernia. In fact. I had been working out with P90x and Insanity for 15 months straight. I achieved a weight loss of 35 lbs and slimed down to 138 and learned how to eat and live a healthy and active life style. I ride motorcycles and love being as active as you can imagine.

June 2 2011 - Discovery.

I remember feeling like the strenuous routine was catching up to me and I felt I was really pushing the ab routine pretty hard. But I felt immune to hernia because I thought after all the core work I did that was the last thing I should be concerned with.

I discovered the lump in the shower. At first I thought I had pulled something but it was barely noticeable. I waited just a few days but the lump was not going away.

Needless to say I made an appointment and was able to see a nurse practitioner the very next day. Seeing a Dr would have taken 20 days. I couldn't wait.


June 9, 2011 - 1st medical Appointment. Saw Nurse Practitioner


The NP could not locate the dam bulge. It was appearing right after exercise. I even purposely did ab work at home to show them. By the time I arrived to the office the bulge was not there.

So I was referred to radiology for a scan of my lower left abdominal. NP said to resume my normal activities as she could not confirm hernia. I did and I believe I made it worst. So just after 2 days of training I stopped working out completely and the feeling of something seriously gone wrong had sunk in.

I had my scan done just 2 days later. The tech would not confirm nor deny what she saw because only a Dr. can confirm diagnosis. Deep down inside I had a bad feeling about this because I knew the dam bulge was just not going away.

I called my GP after a few days and got my results over phone from a nurse at the office. "You have a small hernia sir and we are referring you to a specialist."

My worst fear had been confirmed.


June 22.2011 - First visit with Surgeon
 
The Dr. Had already read my check in paperwork, knew what I did for a living, saw that there were no red flags, nonsmoker, no pre-existing medical conditions, etc.
 
The Dr. Examines my hernia, I pulled my underwear down and this time the hernia was bulging out, no problem showing the protrusion this time. I feel it had gotten a bit worst since the time I saw the NP.

He apologized in advance for what he was about to do - check my other side for another hernia, so he did the finger scrotum test where he pushes in at the base of your scrotum and tells me to cough. Thankfully, nothing on the right side.
 
He explained his method, open repair method with Mesh - attached via sutures. I had asked the nurse that checked me in and she said Dr. does not to Laproscopic. I was split on the Laproscopic method vs open method mainly for post op recovery pain. But, after reading more, I feel that this open method gives the Dr. a direct line of sight with his own eyes and patches me up appropriately. I got to think positive. I read a study on the net that says the advantage of Lapro repair vs Open is marginal. But then again, it depends who endorsed the study right?
 
When I asked the Dr. about recovery times and whether he could fit me in ASAP because I had a vacation coming up in about 6 weeks, he said that he could fit me in sometime within 10 days and that at 3 to 4 weeks I should resume normal activity. I am skeptical about "normal." But as long as there are no complications and I'm healing pretty well, I don't see why I can't go lie on the beach or poolside 4 weeks after surgery. We'll see. Updates to come....
 
I feel a bit more relaxed after seeing the Surgeon and knowing what method he's going to use. I've read just about every blog and information I could get a hold of to ready myself mentally for what's to come post surgery.  I am ready for this, let's do it, I'm a fit 37 year old male, 5'6'' at 138 lbs. I have been through some painful back problems in the past a long time ago, this is being done with pain medicine, I could do this. Bring it.

 June, 25 2011 - 6 days before Surgery

Now that I have my date scheduled for July 1, 2011, I feel somewhat at ease. I now know that I will have 4 weeks before a scheduled vacation for post recovery. I've read plenty of posts and blogs and know exactly what to expect. I am lucky to have my wife to nurse me during the first critical days.

I have planned for 1 week off from work and then 1 week working from home.
The most difficult thing for me has been dealing with the lack of exercise as I was accustomed to working out 6 days a week that included yoga, intense plyometric exercises, cardio, and 3 days of weight resistance. I have serious workout withdrawal.

But I don't want to make the bulge larger. It was a small diagnosis but I feel uncomfortable and can't push past 60 % of my ability. I find myself using my right side of my body to avoid placing stress on the left, but now the good side begins to feel sore. I also find that my mornings I feel better and less strained in my abdominal area vs evenings when I'm worn down from the mild aggravation I feel from the hernia. So I take advantage and hop in the shower in the mornings since it aggravates less.

Having said this you can see that despite the post op recovery saga that may await me. I am eagerly looking to getting this over with.

Even walking the dogs was now become a difficult task.

Next up, blood work 5 days prior.

June 30th 2011. One day prior to Surgery

Well. I am very anxious as anyone would be on the eve before the operation. I continue to follow a healthy eating regiment but not too strict as I have opted to increase my fiber intake with a little more fruit than I was used too I also started to take colon cleanse a, week ago in my daily protein shake. It increases the fiber. I have to say the efforts do make a difference.

I am so done with researching this dam topic. I think I beat this to death. I've googled every hernia term and have read all sorts of post recovery success stories and some bad ones too. I am seriously looking forward to getting this thing done.

I sure hope that all that workout effort I have behind me helps me recover faster than normal or at least help avoid any complications.

Right now my only fear is pain after the operation. I don't mind something I can handle with pills but I'm fearful based on everyone's pain story the first 3 days.

I prepared with buying sweat pants, high fiber meals, family to look after me and have a solid 17 days before returning to work.

Until tomorrow. I'm ready for this.

July 1st 2011 - The big Day!!!! Surgery.

I woke at at 5:30 am. My parents and my wife and I left our house at around 6:30 and arrived at the Hospital just before 7 am. I checked in and filled out 3 pages of paperwork- simple privacy notices etc. The hospital had already called my home days prior to verify and interview me for other questions.

20 minutes later I was called by a nurse and my wife came with me. I turn around to smile at my parents and my father tells me things will be ok. We were led up to the 3rd floor where I was told to have a seat by the elevators that my nurse would come get me.

The kissing corner.

"Ok this is where you could give her a kiss and we'll call you when she's ready." I could hear but not see that other patients and loved ones were told to kiss and say good bye right before they go into the operating room. My wife and I would look at each other and smile each time we heard this. I knew that in just a few moments we would be doing the same.

The pre operation room

The pre op room was curtained off with about 8 beds. The very kind nurse gave me privacy and told me to take off all my clothes and put on a robe. My wife assisted and she said she could see the hernia. Clothes goes inside plastic bags and on the bottom of my bed.

I was given a warm blanket, hospital socks, an IV was started, temperature taken, and a few square objects were taped onto my chest. I was also wearing a hat. The nurse also had me sign off on more paperwork confirming my identity and what I was in for. Hospital protocol.

Next, I was visited by just about everybody that was going to be in the operating room.

1st, the Surgeon walks in and confirms what he is about to do. He also places an X on my left groin side so everyone in the room knows what side they're working on. He asks if I'm ready and I ask if HE'S ready - jokingly.

Secondly, The anesthesiologist appears. He confirms that I am going under general anesthesia not local. He makes sure I do not have high blood pressure and says I will wake up in the recovery room.

Lastly, one of the nurses that will be inside the operating room shows up. She tells me they will be transferring me onto another bed. She also says they will give me a "Happy" drug to calm and relax me. Before I get taken in She said the drug may kick in immediately. Wow she wasn't kidding. I felt like I was surfing. Suddenly I'm being wheeled out and find myself in the "kissing corner."

Last thing I remember..........

I was drugged up while being wheeled inside the operating room. I remember seeing large round lights. I remember being asked to scoot over onto a narrow operating table. I felt I barely fit on this table and made a comment and the nurse said it was so everyone could reach me. That was it. I don't remember anything after that no warning here comes the anesthesia or count to 10. None of that. I think that happy drug is designed so you don't panic.

Waking up..............

I woke up in recovery and was given 2 ice cubes. I felt thirsty and above all nauseous.
I was given anti nauseous medication through my IV. I felt discomfort in the groin area. I asked for juice and they said it would only make it worst. It did hurt and I was offered morphine. I declined I mean it hurt but not to that extent.

I was surprised how fast they wheel you out of there. I thought they would have me urinate before being discharged. I could hear the nurse telling my wife to bring the car around. I felt a sigh of relief that The operation was over.

I was wheeled out by volunteers. I was still very groggy and I could not solidly open my eyes just yet. By now the dr had already given my prescription to my wife an hour earlier and she had it filled. That was nice.

I got home and made it to the couch. I knew I could not walk up the stairs so I decided to setup camp on the chase lounge section of my couch.

Managing Pain…

I was in at 7 am and by 12 noon I was having toast with jelly on my couch. That is a fast in and out procedure.

The nurse said to take a pain medication as soon as I got home because once pain sets in it's hard to catch up.

By 6 pm the pain was elevated. It is not an unbearable pain where you are miserable every waking moment. Rather you hurt every time you get up from the couch or bed but it subsides once you settle in.

I was surprised by how much I needed to urinate. Ouch. That meant I had to go through that painful process of getting up. Walking was super slow and also hurtful. All I could manage was getting up from the couch and walking to the bathroom.

Urinating has been arduous the first day. It drips out rather than flow out and it takes a while to get it started. I even tried sitting down which was a little better but putting your underwear and sweat pants back on is not exactly a walk in the park.

I tried to be macho and not take my pain meds but forget that. I started with one codeine every 4 hours and by 6 I was taking 2 pills.

I slept on the couch for fear of climbing the stairs.

1 day post surgery - July 2, 2011

My worst day thus far....

The noticeable improvement was that getting up from the couch became slightly better. By no means was I flying off the couch. I still had to endure a good degree of discomfort. But it was a notch better than yesterday.

I had plenty of family and friends visit and hang out. I spent most of my time lying up on the couch and walked around the house a little when I had to use the bathroom - which happened to be quite often. I kept taking 1 codeine every 4 hours. It doesn't eliminate the pain it just disguises it a bit.

Urinating continues be difficult. I am standing up to urinate and have completely lost my aim. I'm just happy to get a stream going so I'm not interrupting the flow if you know what I mean.

By the evening I was starting to feel gas build up and wish I could Defecate. I also started to tolerate sitting down on my computer chair. In fact this felt great. My back is so sore from lying down on it for so long now. I am looking for alternatives here.

I took a good look at my package and confirm there is no bruising nor do I feel swollen in my testes. So far the side effect that has caused me trouble is difficulty urinating.

I settled back into the couch to sleep and my back was killing me from being in the same position. I kept taking codeine and was starting to hate the couch.

I woke up around 1 am and I willed myself up from the couch and I baby stepped my way up stairs. I made it! My wife heard me and she quickly arranged the bed for sleeping.

It felt so good to lie on my side - the good side. Plus I took a codeine and I slept wonderfully the rest of the night.

2nd Day Post Surgery - July 3, 2011

I woke up today in my own bed. My wife took the couch to let me settle in without movement from her. She's been a gracious, loving nurse - just awesome. I'm so lucky to have her.

I haven't taken a codeine since 4 am. I want to wane off the narcotics to get the bowel movement going. So I opted for 400 mg of IB Proferin and that was at 12. A sign of obvious progress!

Eventually, I find myself back on the couch. But this time I am able to shift my body around to ease the sores I've been dealing with. A welcoming sign of relief here too.

My foods so far have been strictly Minestrone soup, jello and double fiber wheat toast with jelly. Ive added some fruit and water too. I've also continued my colon cleanse supplement and hope to see a bowel movement here soon.

July 4th 2011 - 3rd day post surgery

72 hours since my last bowel movement and I was miserable. I am no longer taking pain meds.

Serious constipation has been building up. I knew I might have this issue from the pain meds but I never imagined how horrifying it would be for me. I'm used to going 1 a day very regular. I ate fiber so this was the least of my worries.

8 am. I started with coffee and a breakfast shake. My stomach felt impacted but I knew I had to eat. So I took down toast too. I was either walking around or sitting on the toilet.

11 am I started to gulp down water like there is no tomorrow. I tool a 2 Dulcolax tablets and my wife brought plum juice. I also had two prunes. The pressure from constipation was daunting. I could not sit stand or do anything. I literally spent the better part of my day sitting on the toilet from false alarms. I could not push that extra hard due to the surgery.

4 pm I was in a state of sheer misery all because of constipation unlike any other time of my life. You know when you got to go and you almost run to the bathroom? That's exactly what I felt except I would sit down and nothing. So I couldn't even walk right because of the overwhelming urge to go.

Saved by a Cheeseburger

Finally I was desperate and made a decision to go to the hospital. But my sister and wife told me I had to continue to eat to push the bowels to move. So in an act of desperation I had a cheeseburger then 30 minutes later I found myself in the toilet with another round of strong urges. This time I dared to push a bit harder. It worked

Amen!!! I finally defecated!!!

It was the most difficult BM that I had sweat beads flowing down my forehead. I had to grip the door in front of me and my knees wouldn't stop shaking.

As an after thought, I hope I didn't push that hard to damage the incision. I feel a little sore after wards but I remember the Surgeon saying that the mesh is as strong as it will ever be when he puts it on. Theoretically you could work out the next day but you will not want to until the incision is healed weeks later. So I kept that in mind as I pushed beyond limits that i thought I could given the circumstances. Now I I just hope I didn't re injure the hernia. Not that I feel I did.

In the eve. I have this sensation that I could sense the darn mesh. Or is it the outer incision. My worry ass mind has me thinking about the monstrous bowel movement episode. I do NOT want to repeat this ordeal again.


4th day post surgery - July 5th 2011

Morning thoughts........

I slept ok. Not fabulous. I felt I could have used a mild pain killer last night. Perhaps extra strength Tylenol pm but the trauma from yesterday has me freaked out still. So I'm sucking it up and going macho from here on out.

Since last night I could sense the sensation of a foreign object behind my skin. I hope this goes away. It feels like a subtle burning/itching sensation. So far no bruising or swelling on the boys or Johnson below.

I was able to sleep on my incision side. Albeit very gently. Easing into a sleeping position takes thought and patience. You can't just break into a stretch without hurting.

Took a shower this morning and finally put some sneakers on - with wife's help of course. Still wearing sweat pants still walking slow with a more than subtle reminder that my groin is still in repair mode.