TNT Makes the Ultimate Research Sacrifice for A.R.
There's never a bad time to learn something new, and I realized a few weeks ago that one area in which I was not that knowledgable was the subject of hernias. (In fact, in one recent thread, bravo11p provided an answer that was far more detailed than anything I could have come up with.)
So I decided to make the ultimate research sacrifice . . . by getting a hernia. Well, not really for research, but it sounds like a great excuse now. :D
Seriously, I felt a pain in my lower abdominal area about a week ago, pressed on the area and felt a small lump, and said to myself, "Oh, shit. I bet that's a hernia." A quick trip to the doctor and it was confirmed - a left inguinal hernia.
Anyway, no big whoop. I decided to do a crash course in herniology (I think that's an original term, but it's one that makes sense) - even did an A.R. search, and found bravo11p's great post from a few weeks ago. Went to the usual medical web sites (the reliable ones, not the ones that have things to sell) and learned more than I ever thought I would have to know about the wonderful, wacky world of hernias.
Anyway, fellow roidites (and naturalites, too), I immediately took myself out of commission. No major pain, but why risk it? Fortunately, here in the States, we have no major wait for non-emergency surgery, so I'm getting it patched up next week. In the meantime, as you can imagine, the biggest drag comes from not hitting the gym. (I probably could, but since I"m having the surgery done almost so soon after diagnosis, why risk any complications?)
I iknow I won't be lifting for at least a couple of weeks, and then doing only very light weights. (I have no illusions about bouncing back into it immediately, and intend to play it very carefully. As with AS use or recovery from any other injury or illness, intelligent indulgence is the watchphrase here. So my game plan is light-to-moderate cardio about two weeks after the surgery, followed by very light upper-body lifting that doesn't require leg support (as in, no bench pressing), and easing back into a heavier routine as I'm ready.
No big reports about it here, but suffice to say that the next time a hernia or abdominal pain question comes up, I hope to be as literate about the subject as bravo11p.
Anyway, think about me Monday afternoon (3/11). I want to feel the vibes from everyone here as I'm on the table, while the surgeon is getting precariously close to the family jewels . . . :D
And do me a favor . . . Since I'll probably be home Monday evening, back on the computer with insomnia once the sedation wears off, don't write any really whacked-out posts. I don't want to laugh too hard.*
________________________
* Shit, I probably shouldn't have written that. It's almost like setting up a challenge for a few folks around here who come to mind.
Re: TNT Makes the Ultimate Research Sacrifice for A.R.
Quote:
Originally posted by TNT
I want to feel the vibes from everyone here as I'm on the table, while the surgeon is getting precariously close to the family jewels . . . :D
Hope you have a cute surgeon and you have the super-primo vibe coming to you on 3/11...
Hope everything turns out okay
Miscellaneous Replies . . .
Thanks for the well wishes, y'all. It's three days to "the cut," and I've done enough research at this point that I'm actually cool with it.
Bexsome, kiss accepted (depending on where you're kissing). But believe me, bro, if I could "blow my own trumpet," I'd never leave home. :sot:
4plates, the answer is yes - I was right up front with the doc. No sweat. I guess this is a good time to say that I recommend always being up front with your doctor about gear use - it can have an impact on your overall health, honesty makes the diagnostic process much easier for a lot of conditions, and sometimes eliminates the need for unnecessary testing or procedures. If you don't have the type of doctor you can be honest with, it's time to find a new doctor.
And thanks for your comment about the anesthesia and gear. Got it covered, but it always helps to get feedback like yours. We'll probably be doing a simple local (xylocaine) combined with sedation. The anesthesiologist was cool, and said that the most important thing is to cut out any aspirin or related products (like Motrin) five days before the procedure. [Okay, campers, quick quiz: Why? Because aspirin is a blood thinner, as are many similar products.]
Primo, I appreciate the vibe. I guess that some people would say that I have a cute surgeon . . . but he's not my type. :D
Whiteyebrown, no telling what caused it. Hernia repair is the most common type of surgery for guys. Most guys who have hernias have had them for a while, maybe even since childhood; it's not something that simply pops up overnight. Heavy lifting can aggravate them, but it generally doesn't cause them. So it's probably something that developed over the long haul. Mine may have been aggravated by moving a friend's sofa bed a couple of weeks ago - it's funny, you can lift or press hundreds of pounds at a gym, but that's structured, disciplined lifting (if you're doing it right). It's the everyday stuff that can zonk you out. (In fact, most people who throw their backs out do so when they are not lifting something heavy. Sometimes, both with backs and hernias, it can be caused by just moving the wrong way, coughing or sneezing too hard, etc.) In fact, when you say that you have had hernia-like symptoms, chances are that you may have a hernia - again, they're more common than you think. At some point, it may aggravate to the point that you need surgery, or it may not. Best bet - life is a beach, so don't sweat it.
Ajax - great post. I can imagine what it would be like to have that happen when you're out of your own country, let alone your own home town. Here in the States, there are about half-a-dozen common procedures, all of which are very different. There are another half-dozen that are not as common, but they're still done.
The first surgery you mentioned is the laparoscopic approach: minimally invasive (small incisions) but it has to be done under general anesthesia. It does have a higher recurrance rate, which is why it's not recommended too much these days for hernias (although many surgeons still do it).
The second approach you mentioned is the Shouldice method (also called the Canadian method) - get in, find the hold in the muscle, and sew it up. You're right - it has a longer recovery, and has been largely given up in favor of the more "tension-free" aproaches that use a plug, patch, or other form of surgical mesh that bonds with the surrounding muscles.
(See what I mean? I didn't know squat about this stuff a week ago. But when something hits that close to the family jewels, you improve your learning curve real fast. :))
Oh, as far as the shaving (for any hernia novices, we're talking about pubic hair here), I won't have to do that myself. (I don't know if I could - I'd probably be laughing my ass off.) The surgeon will do that himself at the beginning of the procedure (he said that it chafes the skin less). He also said that he doesnot shave all the hair off, which has me thinking that I'll have the equivalent of half a moustache until it grows back.
(Reminds me of an old joke . . . What's the best way to get rid of crab lice? Shave half your pubic hair, set the other half on fire, then stab the crabs with a fork when they come running out.)
Anyway, thanks again to everyone for the good thoughts. And you're right, Terinox - I'll have lots of time on my hands for a couple of weeks. So much for my excuse for skipping some posts . . .
