Hernia... hoooray

**ANIMAL** · 12-19-2012, 01:22 PM

Has anyone had any experience with getting the surgery and if so how was the procedure? What is the recovery time for you to be able to get back into the gym full swing? I've been reading horror stories that once you get the surgery you can kiss heavy leg lifts away and dead lifts goodbye.

Any info would be great.

**-Ender-** · 12-19-2012, 01:34 PM

I have experience with the procedure. What type of Hernia do you have, inguinal?

**ANIMAL** · 12-19-2012, 01:36 PM

Originally Posted by -Ender-

I have experience with the procedure. What type of Hernia do you have, inguinal?

Yes. Although I'm still waiting to go get a MRI done. I went to the DR. and he did the turn your head and cough routine.

**-Ender-** · 12-19-2012, 01:43 PM

I take it that it's gotten to the point that you can feel it when sitting? And you have a burning/ irritation sensation after certain activities? any visible lump?

-Just trying to get a handle on the possible procedure needed.

**ANIMAL** · 12-19-2012, 01:55 PM

Originally Posted by -Ender-

I take it that it's gotten to the point that you can feel it when sitting? And you have a burning/ irritation sensation after certain activities? any visible lump?

-Just trying to get a handle on the possible procedure needed.

It started roughly about 1.5 months ago, I think from deadlifting. I continued to lift heavy even though I felt a weird sensation in one of my nuts. Feels like one is swollen towards the top and takes awhile for it to descend like the other. Yes, I do feel the burning/irritation sensation after activities... even sometimes when I've been sitting and I get up (I have a 8 hour desk job).

I'm in no pain, but the discomfort is annoying and defiantly lets me know it's there all day long. On my lower right side of abs by my groin I THINK there's a bulge but I can't tell if that's in my head or really is. I do tend to hold/put pressure on it after I lift something or if I'm just walking. But I really don't think I have a lump. When the doctor told me I had a hernia his exact words were; "yea, seems like you got a slight hernia." Then suggested I make an appointment with an Urologist.

Super disappointing though because I worked so hard to get to where I am in the past year, just coming off a successful cycle and I feel like I'm going to lose everything now, and possibly never get back to where I was or even progress further.

**-Ender-** · 12-19-2012, 02:11 PM

Originally Posted by ANIMAL

It started roughly about 1.5 months ago, I think from deadlifting. I continued to lift heavy even though I felt a weird sensation in one of my nuts. Feels like one is swollen towards the top and takes awhile for it to descend like the other. Yes, I do feel the burning/irritation sensation after activities... even sometimes when I've been sitting and I get up (I have a 8 hour desk job).

I'm in no pain, but the discomfort is annoying and defiantly lets me know it's there all day long. On my lower right side of abs by my hip I THINK there's a bulge but I can't tell if that's in my head or really is. I do tend to hold/put pressure on it after I lift something or if I'm just walking. But I really don't think I have a lump. When the doctor told me I had a hernia his exact words were; "yea, seems like you got a slight hernia." Then suggested I make an appointment with an Urologist.

Super disappointing though because I worked so hard to get to where I am in the past year, just coming off a successful cycle and I feel like I'm going to lose everything now, and possibly never get back to where I was or even progress further.

You describe it perfectly.

I am going to tell you that you're not totally screwed.

However, I am going to tell you that I am sorry that this has happened to you. Because it is not a short journey.

There are several ways that they can correct the problem these days. You will be given options based on how large they think the opening is.

After having it fixed:
You will be instructed to adhere to a limit on the amount you can lift for 6 weeks. (less than 20 pounds at a time)
After that the recovery will be based on your own judgement. I/E If it starts to hurt, or you have shooting pain. STOP.
That pain will most likely be followed by soreness that should be allowed to pass before resuming anything that would cause further damage to the area.

**ANIMAL** · 12-19-2012, 02:42 PM

Originally Posted by -Ender-

You describe it perfectly.

I am going to tell you that you're not totally screwed.

However, I am going to tell you that I am sorry that this has happened to you. Because it is not a short journey.

There are several ways that they can correct the problem these days. You will be given options based on how large they think the opening is.

After having it fixed:
You will be instructed to adhere to a limit on the amount you can lift for 6 weeks. (less than 20 pounds at a time)
After that the recovery will be based on your own judgement. I/E If it starts to hurt, or you have shooting pain. STOP.
That pain will most likely be followed by soreness that should be allowed to pass before resuming anything that would cause further damage to the area.

How about a few months after the surgery, do you think I could get back into my regular routine of lifting like I was prior to the injury? Really blows because I wanted to compete in September, but I've been telling myself it could be worse and just a minor set back.

Thank you for the words of encouragement and shining some light at the end of this tunnel I'm about to embark on.

**kelkel** · 12-19-2012, 03:11 PM

Ender really describes it well. I had hernia surgery maybe 6 years ago. Had a large visible lump for years and years that never really bothered me but I just got tired of looking at it. Had it fixed laparoscopically to avoid scars. They put a screen in and all is well. Took it easy coming back but all is totally normal now and does not effect heavy leg work at all. Doesn't even cross my mind (till now, thanks!)

My advice would that if you have the procedure done make sure your doc totally checks the other side as well and if a weakness is noted to put the screen in there as well. Get it all done at once. For a few days sitting up on my own was almost impossible. I learned to sleep in the lazy-boy so I could get up on my own and function. And yes, you can get back to where you were.

Good luck with it!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K5iGtAat67M

kel

**ANIMAL** · 12-19-2012, 03:46 PM

Originally Posted by kelkel

Ender really describes it well. I had hernia surgery maybe 6 years ago. Had a large visible lump for years and years that never really bothered me but I just got tired of looking at it. Had it fixed laparoscopically to avoid scars. They put a screen in and all is well. Took it easy coming back but all is totally normal now and does not effect heavy leg work at all. Doesn't even cross my mind (till now, thanks!)

My advice would that if you have the procedure done make sure your doc totally checks the other side as well and if a weakness is noted to put the screen in there as well. Get it all done at once. For a few days sitting up on my own was almost impossible. I learned to sleep in the lazy-boy so I could get up on my own and function. And yes, you can get back to where you were.

Good luck with it!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K5iGtAat67M

kel

Thanks kel! I will definitely remember to ask the doc to check the other side.

**-Ender-** · 12-19-2012, 04:07 PM

Originally Posted by ANIMAL

How about a few months after the surgery, do you think I could get back into my regular routine of lifting like I was prior to the injury? Really blows because I wanted to compete in September, but I've been telling myself it could be worse and just a minor set back.

Thank you for the words of encouragement and shining some light at the end of this tunnel I'm about to embark on.

I got mine fixed old school.... knife and staples. Wish I would have done some more research into Laparoscopic.
They used mesh in my repair also.
Scar tissue will develop through and around the mesh repair. Thus plugging the void that was causing the problem in the first place.
I tried to be active and mobile as possible right after.
I got right back into the gym as soon as the six weeks was up. I picked up right where I left off with working sets only 10-20 pounds less due to being away from training.
Then the problems started. Apparenty I had allot of scar tissue from the fix.
(I don't want to worry you, that is not my intention. My situation was just that: MINE. there is no way to know how you will recover. I will bet that you will probably be better than I was.)
All that scar tissue had to be stretched and torn with heavy lifting to get things back to where they were before the repair without blowing the whole repair apart. I would train normally until I felt something let loose and then back off for a few days or longer as needed till things were no longer sore.

I continued this "backing off" for quite some time. +/- 18 months. The instance became less frequent and I have not had much trouble for a couple of years.
Everybody is different so it's hard to tell how it may go for you.
Listen to what your body tells you and you'll be fine.

Originally Posted by kelkel

Ender really describes it well. I had hernia surgery maybe 6 years ago. Had a large visible lump for years and years that never really bothered me but I just got tired of looking at it. Had it fixed laparoscopically to avoid scars. They put a screen in and all is well. Took it easy coming back but all is totally normal now and does not effect heavy leg work at all. Doesn't even cross my mind (till now, thanks!)

My advice would that if you have the procedure done make sure your doc totally checks the other side as well and if a weakness is noted to put the screen in there as well. Get it all done at once. For a few days sitting up on my own was almost impossible. I learned to sleep in the lazy-boy so I could get up on my own and function. And yes, you can get back to where you were.

Good luck with it!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K5iGtAat67M

kel

I also tried to ignore mine for awhile also. The doctor did mention that he had to use quite a bit of mesh because the opening was much larger than he thought.
And the freaking hardest thing to do after the surgery was put my damn socks on! took 5-10 minutes! lol

**ANIMAL** · 02-05-2013, 10:42 AM

Went to the first doctor, he said I had a hernia. Went for a second opinion, and the next doctor said I DON'T have a hernia since he didn't feel a bulge, prescribed doxycycline and said I could possibly have a spermatocele or a cyst above the nut. He scheduled me for an ultrasound. Went for the ultrasound and they said they found nothing wrong. So now I'm back at square one, with the pain/discomfort still there after months of feeling this way. I read something about a "sports hernia" which basically says there is no physical signs of any bulge of a hernia and comes and go with activity.

Anyone have any suggestions? Or possibly I can give you more information if needed.

**Sgt. Hartman** · 02-05-2013, 01:36 PM

I had one fixed about a year and a half ago. Mine was pretty bad - it went from a slight discomfort the first time I noticed it to a small fist protruding out of me by the time I had surgery 2 weeks later. It would stick out and hurt so bad after eating I'd have to use my hands to push it back in.....ugh disgusting. Obviously mine was pretty big, have about a 4" scar and they used mesh on mine as well. Laparoscopic wasn't an option I think due to the size of the hernia.

I felt great the day after surgery so got up and was doing stuff around the house. Big mistake. The inguinal canal is a small opening in your abdomen that all the nerves run through to your testicles. So the nerves were already aggravated and swollen from the repair and then my dumbass trying to be a tough guy and not relax made it much worse. I woke up the next morning and my left nut was almost the size of a tennis ball - no exaggeration. Some of my buddies didn't believe how big it was so I was kind enough to text a few pics of it.

I couldn't walk because it felt like I was toting a watermelon in there lmao. Point being give it some time and don't try to be a hero and you'll be fine.

After that recovery went great. I was walking on treadmill 4 weeks later and weigh training in 6 weeks. I couldn't work abs directly and my core was a little weak but strength was about the same. Every once in a while I'd turn a certain way or flex at a certain angle and it'd hurt about like getting stabbed which they said was just the scar tissue stretching out. My abs are still weak but that's my fault for not getting back in the habit of working them.

Good luck.

**ANIMAL** · 02-05-2013, 02:14 PM

Originally Posted by Sgt. Hartman

I had one fixed about a year and a half ago. Mine was pretty bad - it went from a slight discomfort the first time I noticed it to a small fist protruding out of me by the time I had surgery 2 weeks later. It would stick out and hurt so bad after eating I'd have to use my hands to push it back in.....ugh disgusting. Obviously mine was pretty big, have about a 4" scar and they used mesh on mine as well. Laparoscopic wasn't an option I think due to the size of the hernia.

I felt great the day after surgery so got up and was doing stuff around the house. Big mistake. The inguinal canal is a small opening in your abdomen that all the nerves run through to your testicles. So the nerves were already aggravated and swollen from the repair and then my dumbass trying to be a tough guy and not relax made it much worse. I woke up the next morning and my left nut was almost the size of a tennis ball - no exaggeration. Some of my buddies didn't believe how big it was so I was kind enough to text a few pics of it.

I couldn't walk because it felt like I was toting a watermelon in there lmao. Point being give it some time and don't try to be a hero and you'll be fine.

After that recovery went great. I was walking on treadmill 4 weeks later and weigh training in 6 weeks. I couldn't work abs directly and my core was a little weak but strength was about the same. Every once in a while I'd turn a certain way or flex at a certain angle and it'd hurt about like getting stabbed which they said was just the scar tissue stretching out. My abs are still weak but that's my fault for not getting back in the habit of working them.

Good luck.

Thank you for that visual hartman, LOL. And no, I don't need pictures.

See I've noticed the feeling for months now, even trained hard with that feeling for awhile before I even thought about a possible hernia. Now months later, still have the feeling, yet have 1 doctor tell me I have one and the other tell me I don't.

**WMSuperSport** · 03-31-2013, 02:57 PM

Had one repaired last Nov. Discomfort for 2 weeks until I finally knew I had to see a Dr. Nothing different with my nuts, but did have a bulge that would hurt & got better when I pushed it back in. I was in terrible pain for atleast a month after surgery, and still in pain, especially during and after lifting. The Dr. said it's unusual, but doesn't mean anythings wrong. It just takes time to heal and everyone's experience is different. I bet after a few more months I will forget it was even there, other than the scar. It does impair lifting, especially abs & heavy stuff, but for the most part I'm happy to be able to do what I can, and I'm lifting more weight than I ever have except for squats,etc, because I don't want to press my luck. You will be able to feel the pressure to tell when enough is enough. I wouldn't personally try to break any records and re-injure it.

Long story short, don't be scared. You will be out for a month or two, but you'll be fine. Good luck man

**optionsdude** · 04-01-2013, 05:00 AM

The first 3 days after surgery are ROUGH. I've had 2 knee surgeries,and a serious neck operation. The hernia hurt much worse than the others but only for 3 dys then I was somewhat ok. Just take your time as soon as you can get out and walk put on your ipod and enjoy walking around the hood. Make the best of it if you get bored you might try something silly and get hurt.

**WMSuperSport** · 04-02-2013, 09:55 PM

I could barely get out of bed for a couple weeks with mine. Hurt like hell. After the surgery I had a couple hydrocodone, 9 or so shots of morphine, a shot of something stronger(forget the name), and still in pain. They finally gave me fentynal & I felt on top of the world, with no pain. That stuff was very very amazing. Try to get that after surgery & you'll feel better than you ever have, for a couple hours lol

**RaW InStiNcTz** · 04-24-2013, 02:51 AM

Sounds painful best of luck with the hernia

**ANIMAL** · 05-30-2013, 08:26 AM

Fast forward 5 months... No hernia surgery. Every MRI/ultrasound showed no signs of a hernia. I did physical therapy for 2.5 months. That pain went away. Now I have a new pain :/

I've been out of the gym since November and I'm miserable. I have another DR appointment in 2 weeks for a MRI of my adductor muscles. I have bad clicking in my hip when im on the floor on my back and raise my knee to my stomach and back down. Also have pain in my inner thigh going down to my knee and also my lower right back/hip. SOUNDS like a nerve but who knows. I'm so exhausted of all this shit. Wish they would just find what is wrong, repair it and be done with it already. I'm going to miss this summer.

**WMSuperSport** · 05-30-2013, 08:27 PM

Hey I'm glad to hear its not a hernia, but sorry that something else is going on.

The good news is that medical care has come a long way and is pretty amazing now. I've known a couple of people to recently have back surgery on their discs. They were up and around after a couple days and said the back pain was pretty much gone.

Good luck and keep us posted

**SexySweetheart** · 05-30-2013, 08:40 PM

also glad to hear its no hernia (I had several incision hernias and had to replace the mesh) but sad to hear of it now being a mysterious pain for you. I understand the frustration of unknown medical issues... dont give up to dispear (hear to do I know)
sending well wishes and healthy vibes your way

**ANIMAL** · 06-01-2013, 08:17 AM

Appreciate the support everyone.

**crazy mike** · 06-01-2013, 10:08 AM

Hey man sorry to hear all that bad crap going on. At my age I've got all kinds of pain. I have osteoarthritis in my hands and bursitis in my left hip, bad shoulder and my knees hurt from dislocations. Getting old, I just ache. I always have some tendonitis. Right now after my hernia Operation I am suffering ligament and tendon pain in my arms.
MY hernia was umbilical and it popped out right at my bellybutton. I was doing abs with too much weight and POP !! I could push it in and it would pop out. I could feel my intestines or what ever in the hole when I would push it back in. They cut me open and put in some mesh. After 4 weeks I was in the gym just playing carefully to keep movements
and to just be able to flex my muscle slightly. I could use up to 25 lbs. or relative on a machine. Now at 12 week I'm being careful but lifting as heavy as I am able. Yesterday I just did a few sets of abs' , Very, very easy with a few pounds. I wear a belt all the time, a wide belt and it is comfortable for me. So for this type of hernia, a guy can expect to be back working hard after 10-12 weeks. ...crazy mike

**WMSuperSport** · 06-01-2013, 01:49 PM

Mike, My inguinal hernia was very similar, except mine kinda crept up for about a week until the pain got worse and I just knew I needed to see a dr after I could push my guts back in the hole lol. Sounds like you healed up pretty quickly. Glad everythings going good!

**optionsdude** · 06-01-2013, 11:51 PM

Animal please keep us posted I'm interested in your hip clicking. Mine has started doing that lately during the same motion of bringing my knee up to my chest. Getting older stinks no other way to put it, the only thing good about new aches and pains is that you don't notice the other ones you had before.

**ANIMAL** · 06-15-2013, 09:30 AM

MRI of my spine on Tuesday. Thinking it's a pinched nerve now. Right leg is numb has literally no strength.

This is getting fun... said no one ever.

By the way, I'm 27.

**kelkel** · 06-15-2013, 09:34 AM

Jeez. That sucks big time.

**crazy mike** · 06-15-2013, 09:48 AM

Hey I ditto Kel, That sounds bad, Oh no pun. I have bursitis in my left hip and get shots. It hurts like a MF most of the time. No problem walking. It just hurts standing. Good luck.

Oh hey will you ask the girl in the Av to pull that shirt up a little higher, it's driving me crazy. ...cm

**WMSuperSport** · 06-15-2013, 05:53 PM

ANIMAL, itll be alright. They got things to fix you up. Youll be good to go in no time. And I agree, your avitar is definitely one of my favorites.

**yosimitesam** · 06-18-2013, 01:59 PM

Hang in there, Animal. As a 43-year-old, I can attest to the pains of everyday life, let alone having a demanding strength training regimen. I had hernia surgery in December of 2012, and I really wasn't comfortable doing any kind of lifting for about 4 months. Even then, I could feel it when getting started. But, after my core started regaining strength, and the rest of my body followed, the discomfort has nearly gone away.

I know you found you don't have a hernia, but I still deal with trochanteric bursitis, tendonitis in my quadriceps and elbows, and work really hard at prehab/rehab for a past shoulder surgery on my right side, and a broken scapula from a bicycle accident a few years ago.....

Sounds like I should be in line at the glue factory, right? Well, I found doing nothing hurts more than being active, and that includes lifting weights. Sure, I've had to basically start over, and gradually increase the weights, but I also spend my spare time reading up on proper form, posture during the day, and ancillary exercises to help alleviate common issues with my joints and tendons. Hasn't gotten rid of the problems completely, but they're at least now manageable to where I can enjoy lifting.

I hope you're able to find relief and resume you're routine. Don't give up.

**ANIMAL** · 06-26-2013, 09:01 AM

Thanks for the support everyone, appreciate it all.

Results came back normal for my spine (which is a good thing, definitely DO NOT want a herniated disc or anything like that). Dr. said he believes I have nerve entrapment and wants me to get an EMG, electromyography tests done.

Not saying the doc doesn't know what he's talking about, I do believe I have some nerve problem I did a lot of research last night and found something called A.R.T, active release therapy which has been practiced since the 80's and is solely for nerve entrapment. After doing a lot of the reading, patients see relief within minutes of the therapy, others 60% after first visit. I found a place locally that specializes in this therapy and before I go ahead with the EMG which is putting needles in my nerve to see the reaction (doesn't sound fun) I'm going to try this sports rehabilitation place by me that will also do the EMG if needed.

Definitely a positive push forward in my search for getting better. hard staying positive through all of this but hopefully I'm going in the right direction.