Post-op recovery re hernia

[Shadow]

Another year, another surgical procedure. Last year was hip replacement, this year a bilateral inguinal hernia.

Two weeks tomorrow I had the surgery. All seemed ok and was discharged the same day. Recovery progress has mostly been good, some days seem like a backward step with discomfort and soreness; to be expected really. I have been walking on a daily basis since day 2, increasing time to just under an hour.

On half decent days, i.e. dry!, my boredom threshold while walking is easily reached and start thinking it would be great to be back on the bike.

My query to those who have experience of this type of surgery, while recognising we are all different and have different rates of recovery, is how long is it reasonable to wait before attempting short rides?

 

[bikingdad90]

I suffered from an umbilical hernia and it took me a few months to recover.

First couple of weeks was the swelling going down and stitches healing and then the internal healing began.

It took me nearly 12 months to get back to my normal self and get my confidence back to lift heavy again.

 

[Red17]

I had a bilateral inguinal hernia op end of October (one side was a recurrance).
Surgeons advice was just walking around for the next 2 weeks, with a timescale of 4 to 6 weeks overall before any vigorous exercise.

I had a review after 2 weeks and asked about cycling. Surgeon was less bothered about the cycling, but more the risk of sudden stretching, or falling off the bike, so advised against it.

I have stuck with the overall timescale of 6 weeks before going to the gym and starting some digging on the allotment, but did start to cycle on the trainer after 5 weeks as I can't fall off that and I felt ready to start excercise.

I'm 7 weeks post op now, but still taking it easy and sticking with the trainer until the new year

 

[CXRAndy]

You could use an indoor turbo trainer for cycling. I had an umbilical hernia repair some 20 or so years ago. I had a mesh fitted too. It was about a year to full recovery. I sometimes get a twinge or two from heavy lifting but no reoccurring problems.

 

[Conrad_K]

I had umbilical hernia surgery four weeks ago yesterday. The surgeon said to wait three weeks before riding a bicycle, and six before lifting weights.

I'm pretty sure he meant "upright bicycle" and I ride a recumbent, but I decided to wait three weeks anyway.

Unfortunately it has been raining or freezing or both for the last week, so I haven't done any riding yet.

 

[postman]

Old postie here had his hernia op November 23rd.Three weeks really milking the rest.Then while she was out i did some hoovering,oh dear i had pain for four days.So no more doing anything after six weeks i got the all clear.On Sunday night i lifted two chairs to help yesterday i had to take out take apart and carry a bath seat to the bin.Then carry the new one in.Again i am sore in exactly the same place.i intend to avoid lifting for a few more weeks,so take care i am 75 in Feb so i might take more time to recover.