Posted by Slick (RSS64) on March 21, 2008, 2:38 pm
76.171.112.X
As of today, I am one week post-op.
procedure: open bilateral inguinal hernioplasty
(PROLENE mesh)
me: 43 year old male, 5'8", 195 lbs. weight train 3x weekly
After consultation with the surgeon, I was scheduled for surgery 3 weeks later- which got pushed up to 2 weeks later. He said he ONLY did open surgery, and did not personally recommend the laparoscopic technique.
Left side was larger than the right, & starting to play peek-a-boo when coughing/sneezing, but neither was huge. Was diagnosed over a year ago during a routine physical. Decided it was time to get it taken care of as I'm not getting any younger and they're not going away.
Entered surgery center about 8:15 AM last friday for a 9:30 surgery. The pre-op prep was about what I thought it would be.
As soon as they started to wheel me toward the operating room they started the IV. I remember them strapping down my arms & legs but that was IT. Woke up a little after 11 AM... woozy from the anaesthesia, but only experiencing a low-level pain- very manageable. Was out the door before noon. Picked up my prescriptions on way home. Surgeon prescribed Vicodin, metamucil, & a stool softener (what fun).
Was up and down several times friday afternoon (to urinate), & ate a little, but not much. Took the vicodin 2-3 times a day during the weekend. Was able to get up & down without too much trouble all weekend. Got up & walked around every hour or two.
Removed the gauze bandages on Monday... a spot of blood the size of a quarter, but that was it.
Stopped taking the vicodin monday night due to severe constipation (a side effect of the vicodin). No real change in discomfort/pain level... VERY manageable. Took another day for the effects of the vicodin to wear off & the plumbing started working properly again.
I have been VERY surprised at how relatively painless the procedure has been. I found having sciatica FAR worse. I haven't taken any pain medication since monday & haven't needed any. Certain positions will cause a sharp pain, but nothing major. I think most of the pain was related to the gauze bandage tape pulling on the skin (like a bikini wax- YOW!)
Had my post-op yesterday. My groin is still quite swollen and tender, but my surgeon said I was healing extremely well. He removed the steri-strips, cleaned the incisions (about 2.5" long, each) & applied new steri-strips. No stitches- incisions closed with internal sutures.
I expected the incisions to be in the creases of my pelvic girdle, but they are inward and horizontal.
I've got to say, for all the horror stories I've read about open surgery & inguinal hernia repair recovery, this has been a piece of cake- NO WHERE NEAR as bad as I thought it would be.
I can't yet sit in a chair comfortably (without slumping), but I can get up & down without pain in the groin. Driving still makes me a little light-headed, but getting better. All in all, a very positive experience for my first surgery.
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