2nd Hernia Repair Got Me Down

So, I recently found out that I have an inguinal hernia on the right side of my body. I had one roughly a year ago on my left side, so I know how the whole procedure goes.

However, after my first hernia repair, I got into serious bodybuilding (before that, I’d been doing ****ty programs, and eating bad too) and made some really nice gains (130 to 145 lbs - clean bulk) from September to now (I know that’s not much, but I’m also a track athlete, so the calories burned during practice weren’t really helping my cause). Any way, I’m trying to get this procedure done as soon as possible so the recovery can begin.

I’ve thought about waiting till the summer, but that means I won’t be able to lift heavy till then, and after that there’ll be the long ass recovery time.

For all the people who’ve had this done before: How long did it take you to get back into the shape you were before the procedure.

Last time it took me around a week to even get out of bed unassisted, let alone lift. It probably took me 6-7 weeks to start lifting light again. This kinda makes me mad because I’ve made really good strength gains too, and am having a hard time coming to terms with the fact that I won’t be lifting for a while.

I don’t know where this thread is going; I guess I’m just looking for encouragement, and motivation, since this has me down in the dumps.

Cheers!

11 days to start floor presses.

under 30 days to start bare bar squatting . heavy triple about 12 weeks post surgery .

48 years old

I had an ileostomy for about half a year, during which I did a large amount of lifting without much of a problem. Just know your limits and make sure you really take care of yourself.

After my reversal I was back in the gym within 3 or so weeks but this was earlier than is probably advisable. Take it slow, the muscle and strength will come back quickly.

I had a hernia repaired several years ago and another operation to clean out scar tissue in 2011. Since I’m prone to gain weight [fat] during long periods of inactivity, I used my post-surgery times to focus on conditioning and keeping a clean diet.

The most important thing that you can do is rehab adequately through physical therapy. This is something that my surgeon never mentioned to me. As a consequence, I’ve built up scar tissue that causes me severe pain today even though I’m “healed.”

Get a recommendation from your surgeon for a physical therapist who has experience with athletes and hernias. This may be tough because many therapists have a condescending attitude towards strength training and will tell you that you can never lift heavy again. Find someone who speaks the language and is committed to getting you back to 100%. If you want to know more about my experience, PM me.

Good luck. I had a much different experience with my hernia than yours. Blew it out ss well as my groin while leg pressing. I was 39 at the time and worried greatly about my ability to recover and get back to heavy training.

I was back doing upper body work within a week although my surgeon told me to wait at least two weeks. No pain from working out at all. Starting doing leg work within 30 days albeit much lighter thsn I had previously.

The surgery was six years ago and I haven’t had any major problems since then. Hopefully this some will be easier on you than the first time around.