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.

 

[kingrollo]

I had a IA mesh repair some years ago. Was in a lot of pain for the 1st week. 3 weeks I was back at work. Six weeks I was swimming - 4 weeks after that I was back in the gym.

I had a couple of flare ups in the 1st 12 months - was sure I had broken the repair - but scans showed all ok.

Take it easy - the chances of 2 be repair working dip massively - so this is your best chance at permanent/ pain free repair.

 

[simongt]

Still waiting for further investigative tests for my suspected spiglian hernia. Also for more thorough tests for an enlarged aorta as I've been eating less and less in the last year or so as I feel full up more quickly and my GP thinks they may be connected.
Now have an unsightly bulge in the area of the suspected hernia, so I'm using a sweat belt to control things there which is helping.
I'm keeping my GP posted with updates as necessary so she can make informed decisions if anything I report is of concern.
The difficult thing is that even at 71, I'm still very active and am having to tell myself to slow down at it's affecting the hernia area.
Being of stubborn Irish stock, that's doesn't come easy - !
Although I'm also having to moderate my walking distances, at least cycling about isn't an issue.

 

[Shadow]

Still waiting for further investigative tests for my suspected spiglian hernia. Also for more thorough tests for an enlarged aorta as I've been eating less and less in the last year or so as I feel full up more quickly and my GP thinks they may be connected.
Now have an unsightly bulge in the area of the suspected hernia, so I'm using a sweat belt to control things there which is helping.
I'm keeping my GP posted with updates as necessary so she can make informed decisions if anything I report is of concern.
The difficult thing is that even at 71, I'm still very active and am having to tell myself to slow down at it's affecting the hernia area.
Being of stubborn Irish stock, that's doesn't come easy - !
Although I'm also having to moderate my walking distances, at least cycling about isn't an issue.

In comparison, sounds like I've had it easy.
Take care and look after yourself.

 

[simongt]

Had a text from the hospital this morning for a CT scan appointment ref my enlarged aorta, with a note about 'the letter' sent which will give further details.
What letter I thought - ?
Letter arrived in't post two hours later - !
Result, things are moving.

 

[postman]

had a couple of flare ups in the 1st 12 months - was sure I had broken the repair -

Thank you for posting,i never knew months later it could flare up.At the moment my head is spinning.I have a dull ache around the repair area and lower down.I had mine done late October.But i had a biopsy done in the groin because my cancer was at its best there,so i have had my mind spinning.i have had awalk today because i have been sat doing naff all for about a week.And i feel better.

 

[kingrollo]

Thank you for posting,i never knew months later it could flare up.At the moment my head is spinning.I have a dull ache around the repair area and lower down.I had mine done late October.But i had a biopsy done in the groin because my cancer was at its best there,so i have had my mind spinning.i have had awalk today because i have been sat doing naff all for about a week.And i feel better.

This isn't medical advice. But doing some crunchie type sit ups and keeping those abs muscles tight seemed to take the load off my lower groin.

Good luck with recovery and your other health issues.

 

[The Central Scrutinizer]

I had a inguinal hernia op in June 2023 a day after my 70th birthday.I did a bit of walking and then seven weeks after the op i tried getting back on the bike.Luckily had no pain and within a week i was doing my normal distance.