I’ve always had a epigastric hernia and the doctors told my mother, “ if it’s not hurting her, I would leave it alone”. I’ve only noticed issues whenever I ate too much. Recently I coughed, (not even a major coughing fit) and it came out, grew and gave me significant stabbing pain. Never happened before. It resolved while in the er but incidentally via ct scan they saw appendicitis. It didn’t even hurt in that area. Fast forward misdiagnosis they decided not to operate but want to fix my hernia. I work in healthcare but surgery freaks me out and I’m thinking about all the complications that could happen with anesthesia and recovery. Please help
I was deathly afraid of surgery... which is why i put off getting my hernia repaired for years. Im also afraid of the feeling of losing control of reality, similar to getting high or drunk and was terrified that was going to happen. I assure you that does not happen at all, anesthesia is not disorienting, you feel totally in control. Whitecoat hypertension through the roof going in to the doc for all my hernia related stuff since i knew the outcome was surgery. Its the unknown. Day of, i got my IV, vagal-ed down pretty hard, was freezing, so they put these leg compression things on which were great. Nurse came in and gave me the jab, wheeled me back, i felt very very calm. They put a warm blanket over me, i said "oooh that feels nice", and i was out like a light. It was a very calming, euphoric, positive experience. I said some funny shit coming to as well. I would do it 100 times over, my life has changed after getting my hernia repaired.
Man I have the same fears you said. I’m scared of losing touch with reality. That’s the reason I don’t want to get mine done. Were you scared at the beginning of the surgery. I’m literally feeling like writing a will before trying to get this surgery because I feel like it’s the end. I know it sounds silly but it’s so scary to me.
I was the exact way same way. I was scared all the way up until they gave me the anesthesia. My fear of surgery is completely gone. I promise you it was no big deal at all, I couldn’t believe how easy it was.
Were you shaking? It literally terrifies me to the core. I don’t even know why.
Yeah like shivering from anticipation. I calmed down eventually.
Was it mesh? Also how are you now?
No mesh, just internal stitches that dissolve. 110% now, like it never even happened.
Thanks that's comforting to know. I have an epigastric hernia and I want to have it fixed through surgery so that I can switch back to my normal weight training program
I used to be very terrified of anesthesia when I was a preteen having procedures, I think when I realized that in the 1 in a million (I know the statistic is probably higher) chance the anesthesia will get me, at least I died in the easiest way possible.
It's going to be ok, as far as the recovery I was actually worried about the same thing with my bf, not just short term recovery m, but we hear all the time that these hernia meshes fal and need revision surgery.
The pain is like most laparoscopic into the abdomen type of pain, but within a week you can get around on your own and two weeks you're on your way to fully being better.
Also the hernia will continue to grow in size sometimes they get bigger quickly or maybe it'll be a few months, but since you're terrified of the surgery think of this....it's better to get it done laproscopically now than put it off and it gets bigger so you need the full open surgery which recovery is a lot worse with that..
So if I have a small fat containing hernia would I be eligible for laparoscopic? And that would be ideal for me? I know this is a question for a surgeon but they are taking forever to call me back and it’s driving me crazy
In the case of my boyfriend who had the 1" fat (not intestine) inguinal hernia he was having such bad symptoms he couldn't work. So workers comp paid for it to be repaired.
I remember his idiot general surgeon said "I'm 100% sure this 1" inguinal hernia isn't the cause of your testicle pain, and I've never seen a hernia this small cause any symptoms, but I'd be happy to repair it". Yet his symptoms started when transporting and lifting a 350lbs patient, and all his symptoms were identical to that of a hernia. My point in telling you this is sometimes general surgeon just don't know what they're talking about lol. They even had him go to a urologist that recommended removing the testicle...so if you think you need something you make sure they know.
Even if you aren't having bad symptoms its a tear, and tears don't usually close themselves up they usually get bigger right? So in my opinion yes you should get it fixed and you would qualify to have it fixed.
Now if you had no symptoms and depending on the surgeon they might tell you to just leave it alone or come back when it gets worse but I would think it would be up to you. But considering the story I just mentioned about the stupidity level of my bf's general surgeon, if you know something is wrong don't back down just switch general surgeons and get a second opinion.
Ya since mine is non visible and I don’t get pain I was going to wait and see but I like to lift weights and ever since I started it made my hernia worse so I had to stop a couple weeks ago and it has me feeling down. I was thinking about continuing lifting since it benefits me in other ways but if I make the hernia worse I’m worried the surgery is going to end up being more invasive and recovery will be longer plus bigger risks of complications down the road. I just want to get it over with. The doctors office can’t call me back soon enough, it’s driving me crazy waiting for them to call back. I just want to get this over with so maybe I can enjoy at least some of my Summer this year
I had the surgery on Tuesday. Honestly, except for some expected belly pain, I feel fine! Feel free to DM me if you're nervous.
Mesh or no mesh? Was it laparoscopic or open?
Two meshes, laparoscopic. I wanted open at first, but since I would be recovering alone, but I thought this would be easier. It really was, I am doing well. My belly hurts a bit but nothing scary and I am managing now, one week out, with just ibuprofen.
Why did you want open at first? Just curious. From what I’ve read most people say laparoscopic is better/less invasive. They only gave you ibuprofen for the pain? That’s rough. I’ve heard this surgery and recovery is painful
Because everyone in my family dies of cancer and I saw this as opportunity for the surgeon to take a look around, but it was not worth it. They told me to alternate between acetaminophen and ibuprofen. It worked fine, honestly, though I was taking pretty big does of ibuprofen. I had some codeine left over from dental work if I felt too much pain, so I didn't complain about their pain regimen. But it was really fine. I did not suffer at all. And I'm kind of a baby about pain. It truly was not bad at all!
Dont be. I was walking 8km at day 3. Was back at the gym after 14 days. Full strength back after 4 weeks
Mesh or no mesh? Was it laparoscopic or open?
Laproscopic with mesh. Tell you another thing - leave this redit and don't listen to anyone here that scares you about mesh, only listen to your doctor recommendations. I was also reading here and some of the comments got me stressing out too much. The fact that some people had bad expiriences with this procedure doesn't mean you will have. Millons on millions of hernia repair surgeries are done in a year worldwide and the vast majority of the people just move on with their lives and don't write at reddit forums. Some comments here got me doubt myself and even my doctors advise when everything was 100% fine. So do as your doctor recommend and i promise you most chances you will forget about this in no time.
I had an inquino harnia. I don't know if that's comparable but I know that it was actually done in a surgical center. Not a hospital and recovery was very short and not much problem with anesthesia. And I only have 55% lung capacity due to emphysema
No worries. You will walk in the surgery place. Check in. Talk to the doctor and everyone. Put your ass to sleep. Wake up 30 min later. Hernia is a fast surgery. You go home with pain killers. Probably best to lay in bed first day. Second day try to get up and walk outside if you can for a little bit then go back inside and rest. Usually few days and you be back to normal. 5-8weeks till you can go back doing whatever. Depending on type of surgery you had!!!