This video covers the first 7 days after my double open Inguinal hernia surgery. I will be honest in describing the pre-op visit through the first week of recovery, pain levels, medicines took, etc.Or
im into day 11 of my bi lateral inguinal hernai. We are all different. I was walking lots and cut medication by day4. As my body adjusted then shooting stabbing pain was uo the right side. I discovered this from certain sitting positions. The secret is to relax from day one but walk as much as you can and then lie down. I can walk fast now. The first few days are critical to just take it easy. You may feel you can do more but dont be tempted. its not as bad as you think. Thanks for the vid.
Great video Brian. Had direct inguinal open surgery two weeks ago. No walk in the park! But what does it come down to? A quality of life issue. Finally had enough. You give hope to others that it's doable. Each week I feel better. It will not get better on its own. The sooner it's addressed the better.
Hi Brian, great informative video. I had the same surgery 7 days ago here in the UK but not recovering as quickly as you. You've inspired me to get some "outdoor" clothes on & go for a nice long walk. Regards Billy 👍🏼
make sure you wear loose clothes and don't walk too far each day. good to take a phone with you in case you have problems. sorry you're having so much trouble, but it is a painful surgery and takes some time to heal. I was told by people in the hospital that it was one of the more painful abdominal surgeries that a person can have. and actually my doctor called 3 days after the surgery and asked if I was feeling okay. I told him that the blackness and swelling (down under) was a surprise to me! he told me that if he would have let me know what I was up against I probably wouldn't have had the surgery and I needed it pretty bad. in a few months you'll start feeling more like a normal person if you don't reinjure yourself. it will get better just hang in there. :-)
Great video. I had trouble urinating when i got home after my inguinal hernia surgery but slowly my bladder started to come back to normal within few hours. Great informative video
Really appreciate you and this video. I am 4 months into having a massive right side Inguinal, wearing a truss all day other than showering and sleeping. Waiting on the insurance then having the surgery! it really is notan ideal way to live. I was super nervous but your video calmed my mind a bit so thank you. Hope your'e doing well, beautiful family and home you have Sir :)
This was an excellent video. I am 63 years old. I will be getting a double hernia surgery in March (Inguinal hernia plus umbilical hernia). The information you provided was very helpful. I hope your recovery is still going well. God bless you and your family.
Lurman Nesbary hello Lurman, how did everything go?hows the recovery id you don’t mind me asking?did you go with mesh for the umbilical hernia?thanks hope all is well
I am scheduled for my double hernia surgery in 3 hours. Your video gave me full confidence until you mentioned the catheter. God I pray I do not require a catheter.
Had my double cut inguinal hernia surgery 5 days ago. Surgery was easy, in and out in about 3 hours, first night not too bad. Day 2 very painful as anesthesia wore off , however I managed the pain with only ibuprofen and Tylenol. No problem with urinating, had to take milk of magnesia, took 5 days to have bowel movement. Lots of swelling down below but I expected that. Walking and recovery in full swing. Your video is accurate as far as pain and recovery go. I watched this video many times before my surgery to help me get through. So glad I found your video, thank you Brian and best wishes!
Thanks for the video, I am on day 3 currently for what I thought was going to be laparoscopic but turned into open bilateral inguinal surgery. Had it on Friday morning and Saturday was the worst day. I hope my healing goes as good as yours does.
Dave D Glad you are doing well as can be expected, just take it easy and listen to your doctor. I do know a few people who have reinjured within a few weeks of their surgery and had to do it all over again. I didnt do ANYTHING much other than walk for two months. Take care! :-)
Great assessment of your recovery since January 2015. I was 44 yrs old when I had an umbilical hernia repair in March 2015--discovered in the ER with a CT scan back in December 2014. Recovery from the surgery was similar with pain and for the most part I healed up pretty fast--two weeks. Unfortunately, I have an adhesion scar tissue pain/soreness below the belly button that has been a problem for about a year. Then this past week my doctor diagnosed me with an inguinal hernia using an ultrasound scan, left side, very small hernia--no bulging of the area--just moderate pain and increased soreness. I am electing to have surgery in November 2016 and for my surgeon to take care of my "adhesion scar tissue". Keeping everything in prayer and for no surgical complications.
Brian Eades : its been 11 days since my surgery (open repair with mesh). I can do most activities like walk and sit without major pain. I do have numbness below the incision and next to it, a region of skin that is hypersensitive (local pain to the touch). My surgeon says this is normal, so far, and things should be getting better as the weeks progress. How long did it take for any nerve issues to resolve. if any? thanks
Douglas Smith on the right side of my lower abdomen I have nerve numness that has continued ever since my surgery. Doctor says typical in 30% of cases. I don't realize it's numb unless I touch the area to the right at the crease of my leg....not uncomfortable just no feeling.
Wow. OK. Thanks for info. I'm hoping and praying that the area of the groin that does sense pain or is hypersensitive to touch, does eventually return to normal, or at least "calm down" in feeling. So far it's a distraction.
believe me I feel much better then I ever did with the hernia pain and would do it all over again for the relief I've experienced these past couple of years. the doctor explained to me that the nerves run a little different on the right side and sometimes after healing injury during surgery manifest itself in pain or numbness. It just happened to be that mine was only numbness. a great blessing for the trade-off. as you heal probably half of the feeling will come back and maybe all of it. my left side was numb for about 3 months and then it totally came back to feel normal again but the right side didn't. It's all good....heal well friend. ;-)
Happy you are doing well! Yes everyone is different and always important to listen to you doctor and take first few days reasonably easy. God bless....the next month you should be doing super! ;-)
Thanks for sharing your experience Brian. I am on day 2 of my bilateral inguinal open. The Dr. sewed me up 52 hours ago. I agree with you - this ain't a picnic. But even now, I'm glad I did it. Standing and walking is awesome. My urine has been ok, but had to use stool softeners to keep the pipes moving. Nice dulcimer.
I'm 3 weeks out and doing well now. You should do well. Soreness below incisions begins on 3rd week as fluid retainage works out. If you have scrotal swelling don't let it alarm you as this is normal for most people and will go away within a week of appearing. I walked 20 miles last week....not bad for a double cut lol. My doctor said I will need the full 6 weeks before tenderness on abdomen leaves. Surface of skin may be numb for 6+ months, but doesn't bother me. Take care.
Hi Brian - just wanted to say thanks for the video. I had a double open inguinal hernia 3 days ago and it's great to have a reference point. Hasn't been too bad, but the bruising and swelling is quite something! Just best not to overdo it, as you say. I'll get to those projects in due course!
@@lc2453 everything's good here. I've built 4 complete houses from the ground up since having my hernia surgery. I think the greater Danger is straining while going to the bathroom. If you have constipation it's best to get an enema as to strain your gut because I have heard of people busting hernias that way. I still have a little numbness on the right side but that was a possibility I was warned about before having the surgery. But after all of these years I don't pay it any attention. There are a lot of nerves where they have to do the incision. From the pain that I was experiencing years ago compared to the joys that I have had since the surgery it is 100% well worth it. Everyone's body react different to medications and surgeries, but mine after the pain was gone a few weeks later turned out very well in the long run. Thanks for asking and God bless
Get it taken care of asap. Most people that I talked to that have had open surgery or laparoscopic both experience moderate pain especially the second day but nothing that a little pain medicine and ice packs couldn't stay on top of. I got tired of holding my side all the time and not able to cough without hurting severely. Obviously it is not unbearable because I was walking and moving around within hours of the surgery and most people are. Make your appointment with your doctor and get to enjoying life. Life is too short to live with these types of irritations hindering us. God bless
Here in England I had my left side inguinal hernia repaired (open cut) in 2014. Now the right side is beginning to hurt in similar fashion, so I'm going to have to get it fixed soon. Covid is a massive complication to have to contend with right now, because almost all non-Covid related procedures have been postponed indefinitely. The waiting list, normally up to 18 weeks, is getting longer as each week passes. One thing that caught my attention in your video was your trouser waist band pressing on the cuts. It's been my preference to wear braces (I think they are termed suspenders in the US) and these allow a really loose waist while keeping one's trousers up. That, plus a larger fitting should help at my next surgery. Mind you, I only had the one side done, which must have been a lot less painful than both sides. The open mesh repair from six years ago has been fine so far. Thanks for the video, which was very informative. I'm 74,by the way.
@@lc2453 Oh dear. You reckon we are going to have to wait for 7 months, jeesh. But you may well be right. I looked further into going private for inguinal hernia. The stats for happy outcomes don't look good if you read reviews. I was surprised. I might have imagined one private health care company being crap, but most of 'em rate mediocre to bad, with just 1 or 2 stars. The cost varies quite a lot, but the going rate seems to be somewhere between £2,500 and £3,500. Or you can have it done in Lithuania for £1,500. Trouble is, getting to Lithuania during Covid. Interesting to note is that I needed a bladder cystoscopy in 2019 and my GP was p*ssed off that I still hadn't been sent a letter from my local hospital. She arranged for me to visit a local private hospital which does work for the NHS. It didn't cost me anything, but I wasn't terribly impressed by the service I got. Oh, don't get me wrong. The procedure was properly done and I had little pain afterwards. The results were benign. But somehow I just got this feeling that the outfit just wasn't as efficient as the NHS. I've had several operations on the NHS and all the experiences over several years were 100%. I think it's maybe because the NHS deals with millions of patients a year, whereas private hospitals may count their numbers annually in the low thousands.
@@lc2453 No, I haven't seen the guy crying; maybe I'll search for it later. I don't know how big my hernia was, but the hospital doctor in the outpatient department where my GP sent me to get it checked out said, oh, it's bigger than first apparent. He really prodded the area just in the crease between the scrotum and thigh. I remember he pushed upwards, which was momentarily quite painful. I also remember managing the discomfort by wearing a hernia belt. Sometimes it was more than just discomfort, it was actual, sharp pain, so I'd adjust the pad on the hernia belt and with trial and error I found I could manage the discomfort and pain better. Now, I should point out here that I have no more medical knowledge than the average person, and everyone's perception of pain and pain threshold is different, so please don't take my musings here as gospel! That said, I found the hernia belt (aka truss) to be a great help while I was waiting for the op. I am doing exactly the same now to mange the right side, and it's working quite well. I just happen to choose a hernia belt that I reckon is a very good one. The sewing and workmanship that the company Oppo Medical puts into these belts looks to me to be first class. The one I got was this: opposupports.co.uk/products/hernia-truss-single-sided-2149?variant=33892694085 You have to order the correct side and size. Ignore the "unavailable" note on that web page because I bought the Right Large belt only 2 weeks ago from Amazon UK. The page is showing the left side from the wearer's perspective. However, if you're unlucky to have a really large hernia, then a belt may not help much, and the belts are quite expensive. Now if your pain is really bad, I would think it classifies as an emergency case. The hospitals _are_ still doing emergencies as best they can, given the restrictions of Covid. For instance, I had a colonoscopy in November right in the middle of the second wave, because my GP had requested a Two Week Wait referral because he suspected cancer. Turned out to "just" be diverticulitis, but my GP had wanted to be sure. Maybe you can persuade your doc to bump you up the list. Now, back to the mesh, like I said, I didn't have any problems, but I wasn't given the choice anyway. Maybe I just got lucky with the surgeon who happened to get allocated to my case, even though he came across as a bit of a David Jason character in Only Fools and Horses!
@@lc2453 I checked out Benenden Health on Trust Pilot and it does not score highly. While there are several 5-star reviews, there are also a lot of 1- and 2-star reviews.
Well its been 4 months and life is back to normal. The only time I even notice any signs of the surgery last December is when I am pouring concrete, chopping wood, or anything overly strenuous. After lifting very heavy objects (50-100+ lbs) I occasionally feel the mesh in my abdomen, but nothing too painful. Any discomfort passes within a few minutes.
8 weeks out I feel as if the surgery never even happened! :-) Took care of hernias hopefully for good. I had a terrible cough for 2 weeks and was afraid of reinjury, but all is well!
Brian I am a chick and 4 days out from my left side open cut inquenal surgery. Had a small bm Sunday so 2 days out from surgery. Not had another in last 2 days. Trying not to sweat it. I'm on stool softeners. I'm in a abdominal wrap. Feels like a girdle. The only thing I am worried about is the swelling and bruising. My inner thigh is extremely swollen and bruised. I'm numb around the incision and above it. The pain has not risen beyond a 4. So I am going to start ibuprofen today, get off the pain pills. That will help w the bm. Is my hope anyway. I am so thankful for your video because you are feeling the things I am . So I'm not so freaked out. I'm 56 by the way. I have learned that inquenal hernia's are not common in women. So every single thing you find on them is based towards men. But your video was just so helpful. Because this numbness and swelling is really freaking me out even after talking with the nurse yesterday. And her reassurance that everything is ok. So thank you again so very much! Love and light everyone!
Well folks I am nearly six years out from having my hernia surgery and I can honestly say no regrets! Once you get past the first two or three weeks and behave yourself for the most part you should have recovered through the most painful part of it. The only evidence that I ever had a hernia problem at all is if I go out lifting heavy things. Typically on the right side I will have a little soreness if I overdo it but it is very rare. I know I do not respond to every comment as there have been thousands of people that have watched the video, but I hope that this gives you the courage to get help and put this behind you so that you can live your life without the pain of the hernia hindering you. God bless and happy healing!😀
I just had my bilateral inguinal and umbilical hernia surgery on March 5th, 2021. The pain wasn't bad at first , but mid week my junk had swollen and had sharp pains in the area. Two weeks later and that pain is gone, but still some soreness.
@@jahshoewa1 yeah, the junk swelling is part of it...takes a while for body to remove residual fluids there after surgery. Took me 3 weeks for a small sense of normalcy to come. 2 months it was like the surgery never happened. Best wishes on your recovery.
@@rajav4144 ask your doctor. You wont feel like doing ANYTHING for a few days...especially the 2nd day or so. Light walking is all i did for the first week.
I have received TRIPLE hernia surgery, a bilateral inguinal and a single ventral all at once, my body went into surgical shock with violent convulsions, the tremors were 1 time while under and 4 times over 20 minutes a piece while awake, HORRIBLE, but I have been through much worse with my shoulder shatter and collar bone break. That was a 9 months nightmare of extreme and severe pain, and 2 years of rehab. I am in day 2.5 and the pain has subsided even after all I went through. I stay still and rest a lot. I get up and move around a lot as well... move when your body cramps up, rest when the body tells me stop follow this and all will be well. I have taken my first shower. Things are looking up AND I am NOT going back, no lifting over 10 lbs for 6 weeks, then nothing over 25 lbs for 4 weeks by 90 days I am good, by 6 months full recovery. Don't care about the job or anyone, my health is most important to me, and they understand and told me not to lift anyway. So I am happy. Go in for my follow up this week. I'll keep you posted. DO NOT FEAR THIS SURGERY. Mine was the worst ever but I got through it fast... you will too. Feel free to contact me all.. Thank you Don
WOW! that sounds horrible!!! As the video shows, my experience landed me an extra day in the hospital with a foley cath to wear home, but all-in all not too bad lol. :-) As much as I walked during recovery and as good as I felt a few months out i say WELL WORTH THE PAIN! happy healing bro! :-)
Thanks Don. I'm having 3 hernia surgeries(umbilical and bilateral inguinal) done in 4 days. Don't know what the pain level will be like since I'm having all 3 done at once but just looking forward to getting past this real quick.
Ken Uba hello ken,how did your surgery go?did you go with mesh for the umbilical hernia?how long after finding out did you get the surgery?thanks hope all is well
Hey I enjoyed your video about your surgery I'm having the same surgery September 18,2015 which is on Friday and I been putting up with with pain for over 2 yrs and I go for my pre op Thursday and I was watching your video is it most likely my Dr will cut me like you have been cut on and I was wondering does everyone have to wear a catheter bag home and was you getting to eat eat you wanted when you came home or was it soft foods thanks and God bless you sir my name edge is Jackie Wayne I live in Tennessee
Hope your surgery went well. No, mostly men have difficulty urination after this type of surgery. be careful not to reinjure yourself and give yourself a good few months to heal up before truly resuming a full normal activity. God bless.
Hi Brian, did you have much nerve type pain? I am on day 11, double open same as you. Did you get much tingling/stinging on your numb areas? I am numb in my groin and inner thigh both sides and it almost feels like the nerves are starting to turn back on and causing the discomfort? First week was rough! i am much more mobile now and able to walk a few km's a day no worries just lots of stabbing, tingling throughout the day. Scrotal swelling has mostly gone but still very swollen in the groin! Hoping this sounds all normal!?! I have a full 4 week off work then 2 weeks office duties until i am back on the tools, so hopefully start seeing some more improvement, knocked me around alot more than i expected, starting to get a bit stir crazy!!
normal. I had little needle pains as nerves mended, but not that bad. After healing my right side crease in leg and groin remained numb. The doctor told me as long as I had waited for my surgery that he might nick a few nerves on the right side to repair. there was a 30% risk of remaining numb areas. I knew this going into it, but I dont notice area unless I touch, and then realize the skin in a small area is numb. Not a big deal, and the trade off was great! Would do it all over again for the joyful years since. :-)
If ya don't mind. Its been a while since my last comments/reply. I'm 7 months out from my left inguinal hernia repair (open with mesh). I had a recent bout with pneumonia early June 2017 AND I was sore at the surgical site. Not bad. I continued with life, but then did some exercise AND a lot of house chores AND worked on the garden AND I drive a truck with clutch--all in three weeks. Today, my left surgical scar tissue is major sore (icing and resting and heating area as recommended by the doctors office). Hope I didn't do anything damaging so far. Latest unfortunate news...I may have another inguinal hernia--right side. Due to the coughing and the task mentioned above. Doc said to keep an eye on my right soreness/pain and if bulging appears then do ultrasound. Feeling sad...but then I've been through this before. Keeping everything in prayer.
Sorry to hear that. Coughing sometimes (a LOT of coughing) makes my mesh area on the right side sore, but it usually clears up in a few days. My Doctor told me he didnt think I could re injure the hernia if it healed properly, but that it could manifest itself indirectly around the inguinal canal if i was careless. Hernias can pop out anywhere in your abdomen or lower....hope soreness goes away soon as mine does. God bless! :-)
@@lc2453 well, in August 2017 I had to have the left inguinal mesh removed as I experienced extreme pain. Surgeon who did the removal said that the mesh did some damage to the nerve. About 30% mesh was left. To this day I see a pain specialist to treat the pain... They do a procedure call RFA (radio frequency ablation) where the damaged nerve is incompacipated, until it grows back. Usually in about 5 or 6 months. Without it I couldn't work or have a life. I had a right inguinal hernia repair without mesh, done in florida and that went perfect. Wish I went that route before getting mesh repair.
@@lc2453 Yes! I saw Dr Tomas in fort myers, fl. He removed much of the mesh in the left inguinal canal and repaired my right inguinal hernia without mesh. To this day, I've had no problems/complications. I highly recommend him. Of course I had to fly out there from NM.
Hello Brian, I know this post is old and completely understand if no reply. I’m in the same boat as you were, I have bilateral inguinal hernias too. I’ve had them about 4 months now and consulted with two surgeons, one wants to do robotic lap, and the other wants to do open like you had. Both have their pros and cons. I’ve been researching online reading comments and many videos. My hernias cause discomfort and pain, not severe but annoying. The more I read the more fearful I get. My biggest question is how we’re you able to get past the fear of surgery and the pain anticipation? Was it as bad as you thought it would be?
Just pray, and DO IT! My life was so aggravated by the unexpected grabbs and sore knots that the fear was over for me. Just slice off 2-3 days of ice packs and percicets and the rest is gradual improvement. I have been peacefully pain free for all these years, and would do it again for the same results. What you see in the video is exactly how I felt on those days. Incision was best for me because I had let it go for too long and there was a greater risk of nerve damage for the surgeon to have his hands in there. He also could do robot, but advised against in my case. Either way the inside is repaired about the same. Like riding a Rollercoaster after staring at it for a while....just strap in, and go! Then its too late to turn back, and after healing you'll be glad you took that step for your future wellness. Best wishes!
As bad as I thought? Yes and no. Everyone is different. By stepfather had robot and I told him day 3 would be tough, but survivable. On day 2 he was talking about going into work? Am I missing something here i thought?...Then day 3 I called and could barely understand his moans LOL! 🤣 TOLD YOU SO LOL! The pain is simple soreness...tolerable soreness is all. Standing up straight and getting up out of a chair is tough first few days. I think I overthought things as well, so I'd say looking back it was not as bad as I had imagined.
Sorry so late. Yes, the newer fabric-type mesh. It feels like a soft kleenex tissue (doctor let me feel mesh in my hand before surgery during an office visit). The old mesh 10-20 years ago caused issues, but mine has not for me. God bless.
Hello Brian after years later how you been? I'll be getting surgery next month and my anxiety is off the chart. Have you had any complications since years you had the surgery
None.....no regrets. Get through first week you'll be OK. Don't be afraid to utilize opioids first 2-3 days, but start weening off soon. Oxycodone took the edge off, and ice packs are the best. Good luck
P.S. I didn't mention I had Laparoscopic 3 holes AND I take stool softeners, the day you WANT to poop, let the body tell you when, you don't want to do this day 1 or day 2 because you need to heal first, take milk of magnesia, use 1 to 2 times if you don't go but fair warning, you got 2-6 hours after shot number 2 of this stuff and... arrr... thar she blows. This is graphic BUT it comes out liquid and super super gentle no worries at all. USE IT! Get it BEFORE surgery and all will be fine I promise! Don
Don Fragale lol! everyone is different but yes stool softeners help. my stepfather had a 3-hole laparoscopic the other day. mine was two four and a half inch incisions. either way Day 2 and 3 is very painful LOL. After you work through the stiffness you're okay
Hi Brian! I am 47.5 years old exactly, still in pain but not on meds unless I want them. I love your video, It was inspiring to me, as I am sure it was intended to be... THANK YOU BRIAN!
Hi, I know this is a old post, I believe you said you had open surgery. Did you experience having a hard bulge at the end of the incision site? I had my surgery about 2 weeks ago.
You're a jolly and positive happy fellow! Thank you for this video I am truly scared to death I need a double like you had... I know the first 3-4 days is where the hell is... Sir I thank you again! What area of the Country do you live in? (State/City???)
Don Fragale you will be just fine. it does hurt but as you can see in my video after the third day you're moving pretty much pain free once you get going. the first week it is hard getting up and down. The first three or four days you'll need to move all you can. Just don't get addicted to those pain drugs LOL. my stepfather has to have the same thing done in a few weeks. take care and let the group know how things go
Your on Demerol.!!!! That’s bullshit I had scar tissue removed and cut and the sides and a golf ball or two on the right side and I’ve been in horrible pain and I’m three weeks out
its good that your better now. im also going for surgery and hopefully it goes good. any donations are appreciated and if you can spread the word even better. GoFundMe.com/billysantos
