Inguinal hernias

[Stevie/P]

One for the SD collective this post only applies to those who have first hand experience of an inguinal hernia operation. I have recently been diagnosed with the above and yesterday I meet the Dr to discuss treatment.I have been offered surgery within the next 18 weeks.the operation is key hole with local ansthica take about 45 minutes. and a mesh is placed over the fisher to seal the bulge. In not in any discomfort unless doing strenuous activities. Like long dragging after a stalk then the pain kicks in but it's manageable. The operation is not without risk and could potentially make things worse. I am now 65 and ready to retire.my question is do I have surgery or leave well alone this post only applies to people who have had the procedure you're experiences for and against I know the decision is mine and mine alone your comments please if you prefer to PM me that's fine also happy to post. SS

 

[Mike L]

Had a double repair at the same time, I popped one whilst working subsea, flew back to uk and had both done, been fine for the last 8 years

 

[VSS]

I had an inguinal hernia some few years back. Had to take things easy for a while (eg, got a contractor in to shear my sheep instead of doing it myself), but I didn't have surgery and it sorted itself out in time. Had no problems since.

 

[ColinJ]

Had this surgery 20 years ago. No reoccurrence and no further issues. It’s simple, straightforward, and very common.
Get it done, and then try not to laugh, sneeze or cough for a couple of days, because that will hurt!

 

[Defender 130]

Considering they do it keyhole you still end up black and blue and look like someone has given you a good pasting with a baseball bat, painfull for a couple of days when i had mine done in my early 40's but the pain killers take the edge off, definately worth the discomfort to have it fixed properly as i have had no issues since

 

[EMcC]

I had mine repaired over a year ago and within a couple of weeks had to go back as the mesh had slipped, so they said, I was told the mesh would be stitched on so something was not right.
My hernia was caused by straining/lifting and was split where I had been operated on five months earlier for bowel cancer and appendicitis.
I am now about six inches wider around the girth and appears to be full of fluid.
At the time of the operation I had quite a lot of fluid and was told that was normal but would be drained off 'The next day' however the next day I saw a different Dr who decided draining wasn't necessary and that a Compression belt would make it disperse within a few days.
I wore the compression belt for two months and all that it did is pushed the liquid up higher towards my chest which made me short of breath.
I was then told not to wear the compression belt as it would give my natural muscle time to get back to normal.
I now have a 'Beer Gut' without drinking.
I am in my eighties so have decided to change my life style to a more sedentary one rather than go back to the Drs.
Incidentally I was told it would be performed by Key hole surgery but from the scar and absent belly button, it would appear that I had a caesarean !!!

 

[VSS]

All of the people I know who've had mesh inserted as part of surgery have had problems with it later in life, including two who were very ill as a result and needed further major surgery to sort it out.

 

[Klenchblaize]

I declined the operatiion and promised the Consultant I would henceforth only shoot Muntjac.

I fibbed!

K

 

[bullet chucker]

Had mine done before I retired.Used to feel like a cold internal sort of leak? Mate said,you’ve got a hernia. Saw the doc referred to the hospital and they said what a good candidate I was? Turned out I do not have a big belly so key hole was easier for them as it turned out. No issues what ever but do not take the p;:s as it can return! Has to be about 18 years ago. Good luck!

BC.

 

[Rasputin]

I had an inguinal hernia some few years back. Had to take things easy for a while (eg, got a contractor in to shear my sheep instead of doing it myself), but I didn't have surgery and it sorted itself out in time. Had no problems since.

Same boat here. One of my training partners tried these and made it worse ended up with the op. He’s had no trouble since and said he wishes he would have had the op sooner.

I think the problem is that as we age the chances of things recovering without surgical intervention are diminishing year on year.

 

[Jamsie]

Managed to give myself a hernia while removing parts of an old fireplace during a renovation. I'd broken the fireplace down into very managable parts and it certainly didn't feel like I was straining at the time. Nevertheless, around a week later, I became aware that something wasn't quite 'right', so off to the doctors who very quickly diagnosed an inguinal hernia. This happened about three years ago and I was 63 at the time and reasonably fit. Doctor indicated that it would be around 4 months or so before I could get it sorted but in the meantime, if it REALLY started to 'burn', I should attempt to lie on my back and it should hopefully subside. This was good advice and it worked on quite a few occasions. He also stated that if it didn't subside within 30 minutes and the pain was increasing, then that was basically a blue flashing light situation and an ambulance was required. This scenario is exactly what happened after about four weeks of seeing the doctor. The pain level was making my eyes water and when the ambulance crew arrived, they were very quick to pump me full of morphine and whisk me off to hospital.
At the hospital, I was visited by one of the consultants who made strenuous efforts to get the hernia back in ... but failed. To say that this was uncomfortable is an understatement. Consequently, I was then visited by the surgeon who informed me that because it hadn't been possible to relocate the hernia, the keyhole surgery scheduled for the next morning was off the table and full anesthesia would be required.
I believe that I was on the table for about 60 minutes in total and I had a four inch scar which they had closed with superglue. Can't even see the scar now. They discharged me the same afternoon and I had a week off to recover. No pain and no problems since.
Just go and get it done. You won't regret it.

Hope this helps.

Jamsie

 

[Pete1774]

Don't delay, get it done. The most dangerous part of surgery is probably the drive to the hospital. Had one many years ago and the corrective surgery involved a mesh. I'm 75 now and no problems since. An untreated hernia can strangulate. That happens when a section of the intestine is forced through the hole in the muscle wall and gets stuck. This is painful and requires emergency surgery because the blood supply to that part of the intestine is cut off.

 

[User00035]

I had a double inguinal hernia corrected with mesh in 2007. You're sore as hell for a few days. Washing and sitting on the bog is difficult (you will need the laxative they will give you...). I takes a month to six weeks to get back to full strength. I've had absolutely no problems at all since. The larger it becomes, the more difficult it is to correct. I would get it done sooner rather than later.

 

[pete evans]

I havent had a hernia but sometimes organise trusses for people that cant have surgery for various reasons. If they get big, un reducible or descend into your scrotum it can be really problematic. If your a surgical candidate then I would give it serious consideration. There are always the usual surgical risks of course but I believe its a fairly straightforward and generally successful procedure. If it descends into your scrotum truss sizes start at orange and end at space hopper...

 

[Alantoo]

I have had three but at much younger ages.

All of them full anaesthetic and at that time best part of a week in hospital. The first when I was 7 years old was just put back in place, but on the day of release I went down to the garage to see what dad was doing. He had the Austin Ten engine out and it was sitting in a wheelbarrow “Look dad, I can lift this!” So I had it repaired again a few months later that time with a mesh.

At seventeen it went on the other side so that was done…full anaesthetic and again with a mesh.

I have spent my life heaving heavy stuff around the forge and no trouble with either side. Thoroughly recommend getting it done given the risks and on going discomfort of not doing it. Especially if they can do keyhole surgery.

In the days before the NHS I gather there was a huge market for rupture trusses. Don’t know if they are still available. They looked like jock strap with a pad over the hernia to hold it in place.

Alan

Just seen Pete’s post about trusses.

 

[EMcC]

Don't delay, get it done. The most dangerous part of surgery is probably the drive to the hospital. Had one many years ago and the corrective surgery involved a mesh. I'm 75 now and no problems since. An untreated hernia can strangulate. That happens when a section of the intestine is forced through the hole in the muscle wall and gets stuck. This is painful and requires emergency surgery because the blood supply to that part of the intestine is cut off.

For the small Hernias Strangulation is Possible but for the larger one, the ones that will need mesh there is little to no chance of strangulation.
When I first went to the Dr with my problem it was nearly as big as a space hopper and towards my lower left groin. That was when the Dr said there is good news and bad news !!
The bad news is that you have a hernia, the good news is that it is a big one so no chance of strangulation.

 

[neillfrbs]

had bi lateral inguinal surgery 3years ago was open surgery with mesh both sides ,first 3 days were brutal pain wise .funny thing was had farmer ringing me when i was in recovery after op ,pigeons smashing crops .went out pigeon shooting 3 weeks later .had 5 weeks off work ,work in construction so physical job .had no problems so far .
Would get it done they only get bigger ,kept putting mine off until it got so bad was hurting daily, good luck

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[Kjf]

Ey up My old mucker , I've told you to stop ,,,,,stretching your toes , no need to force the feeling lol lol

I hope you get sorted mate , you need a lift with out, just shout ,

I've not had it done but I know a couple of lads who had it done , and said it was no mither

Another lad I know let it go for 2 years , let's just say it wasn't a quick key hole and mesh job, he had a balloon hanging next to his nuts !!!!!

Be well brother

PS get it sorted , and enjoy your retirement , you are always welcome with me , you know that

Kjf

 

[EMcC]

Sorry lads, just checked my release papers and it turns out I had an umbilical hernia. Apparently my guts had pushed through where the incisions were for my bowel cancer and my appendicitis and dropped down towards my lower left groin.
I was dealt with quite quickly by my local NHS hospital.

 

[Stevie/P]

Looks like the consensus is have the procedure done it's the mesh bit that concerns me I must admit I'm a little apprehensive as the only luck I've had in life has been bad lol. Not looking forward to being laid up for three weeks during the buck season.