I just had laparoscopic umbilical hernia repair with mesh done about two months ago. I wish I’d had it done a few years ago. Now I can actually do some “real” lifting again.
First 48 hrs for me were pretty uncomfortable. I think I was back in the gym (not full bore) in around 4 weeks.
I’ve had a double hernia mesh repair for over 12 years now. I was actually glad it was a hernia when I saw the bulge, because I knew it was either that or a tumor. I remember even writing to TC about it at the time, while he was still at MM2000.
He said he had had it done himself and there were no issues with lifting weights, took a load off of my mind. No problems, except for an occasional twinge. I was up and at 'em within 2 weeks, full strength by 4 weeks. Still going strong; muchhh stronger.
Had my umbilical hernia repaired yesterday. Have been living with it for about 2 years. Continued lifting (power lifting) as normal during that time, no real modifications. No significant pain, but watched it closely. It started to get a little painful in the last few months, primarily after long periods of being on my feet and when wearing pants or a belt with snug to tight waistband. Finally decided to get it taken care of.
The doc did the mesh repair. It was out-patient, but did have general anethesia. The gave me the sleeping juice about 2:30 pm and I walked out of the surgery center and home by 4:45 pm. The pain has been moderate. I had kidney stones several years ago. That is my baseline for a ‘10’ pain rating. It’s the nearest thing a man will feel to child birth. Based on that the post-op pain was about a 2-3. Today it’s a little higher, but I’m trying to keep the Vicodin usage down.
My doc’s instructions on exercise and lifting were to lift no more than 30 pounds for six weeks, then ease back in and listen to my body.
I found some possibly useful info at the following website: http://hernia.tripod.com/faqs.html#jj
Below are the activity guidelines listed at that site. I’m going to take it in to my doc for the follow-up next week and see what he thinks. I’m sure he won’t entirely bless it, but it gives us some specifics to discuss.
WHEN CAN I PLAY SPORTS AND RESUME RECREATIONAL ACTIVITY?
We allow and in fact encourage rapid resumption of physical and recreational activity under most circumstances following Inguinal (Unilateral or Bi-lateral), Umbilical or Femoral Hernia repair. FOR EXAMPLE:
�?� IMMEDIATELY AFTER SURGERY
Brisk walking, treadmill and stationary bike activity can usually be resumed immediately. Jogging can usually resume in 2-3 days, along with gentle swimming and light golf {Short Irons and Putt} activities.
�?� 5 to 7 DAYS AFTER SURGERY
Moderate aerobic exercise, and light to moderate free weights and exercise activity can start in 5-7 days(Golf, Light Tennis, Alpine Skiing {GREEN and Groomed BLUE Slopes Only Initially}, Skating, Bowling, Softball, Lap Swimming and Hiking).
�?� 10 to 12 DAYS AFTER SURGERY
By 10-12 days, most sports and recreational activities can be safely resumed in most cases(Full Tennis, Cycling & Mountain Biking).
�?� 2 WEEKS POST OPERATIVELY
Full and unlimited activity is permitted about 14 days after surgery. This includes competitive and contact sports(ie Baseball, Football, Soccer, Hockey, Skiing, Limited Weight Lifting etc).
�?�
**While these are average recommendations, each case may differ slightly, and specific instructions will be given to each patient based on his or her physical needs, ability, skill, and training level. **
Hey if you wanna lay off the vicodin or keep your usage down take 2 ibuprofen every 4hrs, this raises your pain threshold and keeps it up. Then if you still have pain you can take either a half or a whole vicadin but continue talking the ibuprofin.
I used to be a paramedic and then assisted in maxofacial surgery for 4 years just in case your wondering…
Day 1 I kept the vicodin down to one every 6 to 8 hours. I took two before bed.
I may have been a little too active on day 1. I was up and around most of the day. A friend of mine bought a new Harley Ultra Classic and came by. He wanted me to try it out, to compare with mine. I took it for a short spin around the block. No issues with pain or even slight discomfort mounting or getting it off the stand.
But, the next morning (day 2), when I removed my compression band I was bruised all to hell – about a 6" diameter bruise – deep purple. Also, had some bleeding (but stopped). Of course, my wife immediately blamed it on the bike ride. So, that shit-holed my plans to ride this weekend.
Anyway, called the doc and described it to him. He wanted to see it to make sure there was no hematoma. Checked out okay. A little more bruised than he expected, but no big deal. Everything is fine. Pain was a little higher throughout the day, so stayed with 2 vicodin every 6-7 hours. But, made it from 8:30 pm until 8:30 am Day 3 without any and slept fine.
Going to try day 3 (today) without the compression band. Cut back vicodin this morning to 1, and plan to go to ibuprofen later in the day as needed. Plan to only use the vicodin before bed if needed.
Haven’t had any trouble peeing, but have no push behind it. It’s on the slow flow, more than a dribble, but no pressure. Do better as the vicodin wears off. Still haven’t taken a shit yet. Been adding some fiber to my yogurts and Metabolic Drive shakes 2-3 times per day. Took a couple teaspoons of mineral oil this morning. No discomfort yet though. No real restrictions on diet, but haven’t gotten carried away. Keeping it simple, soups, eggs, Metabolic Drive shakes, yogurt.
Exercise wise, plan on starting some brisk walking today. Sitting and standing from a firm chair hasn’t been an issue. Sitting and standing from soft/low couches take a little maneuvering and create some pain. I may try some body-weight high box squats (wife is working, so have to get it in while she is gone).
hello all! I have had a superior umbilical hernia for at least 6 years! I have never stopped working out with weights since that happened. I really do not remember the specific injury but I know I can not do any low ab exercise or any ab exercise breaking horizontal postition.
monday 1/21/08 i rec’d the surgery finally to just get it fixed. well i am supposed to not workout with any weights greater then 10 pounds for a month. its been over a week and its getting better with transfers (sit <-> stand, or supine <-> sit) finally to contract my abs (not usually yet)
does anyone have specific time away from working out?
my plan is taking 4 weeks of weight training, i will possibly add some minimal recumbant bike cardio just to keep me moving.
i have had this hernia for years and i have been able to squat and deadlift without any use of a belt as long i was around 315 lbs.
My repair was an umbilical. The doc told me not to lift nothing heavier then 30 lbs for six weeks. About day 3 I started walking and doing bodyweight box squats off a high box. I focused on not holding my breath so as to reduce abominal pressure increase. Over the next week I worked down to parallel and 2" below. After about a week I was able to do some pushups. I would have stationary biked if I had one. You should be okay with the recumbant. Week 2 post-op I started lifting.
I broke my exercises into 3 groups:
a) virtually no ab work – DB curls, BP, supported rows, etc…
b) indirect ab work – seated cable rows, OH press, light squats, light DL…
c) direct ab work – pull downs, GM, situps, explosive lifts, etc…
I started week two with group ‘a’ at 30% of whatever I was doing pre-op. I do 4x6 with the last set to near failure (usually 20-30 before I fail – will stop at 30 w/o failure – but do not strain that might pull at abs). I plan to increase each week in a linear fashion until I am back to 100% at week 6. Group ‘b’ started at 20% with progression to 100% at week 8. Group ‘c’ I’m doing nothing until week 4 and will start at 20% with progression to 100% at week 10. I’m planning to restart max effort work at week 6, but limit it to 70% and progress that percentage with a target of week 12 for a true max effort (hopefully within 90-100% of pre-op).
I’ve finished two weeks of my plan with mostly no trouble. Had chin-ups and GHR in my group ‘b’. I felt a lot of ab pulling when I first tried them, so slid them to group ‘c.’
Do be careful and take it easy. Listen to your body.
The only complication I’ve had from the surgery is heavy brusing starting at day 3. The bruising is mostly gone, but the blood causing the bruising needed a place to drain. At about week 3 post-op the skin area about 4" around my incision area became intensly sensitive and burned to touch it. The incision began a steady drip of black fluid. The doc reopened the incision (hurt like hell, no anesthetic) to let it drain. Now, for the last week i’ve had a steady flow of fluid – going through gauze pads by box – nurse told me that kotex pads would work best – just couldn’t bring myself to buy those.
It took about three days before the fluid started getting red enough to look like blood. I was also taking hot baths to help keep the wound open so it would drain. It’s been pretty disgusting. But, the surface sensitivity disappeared almost immediatly. Only have a pinpoint pain at the incision now. The fluid flow has almost subsided. To see the doc again on Monday. I suspect we’ll now start encouraging the wound to close.
But, I’m working out. Did a 300 mile ride on my motorcycle yesterday. For the most part, I’m back in the saddle.
it sounds like you are doing very well!
today is just out of 2-weeks post-op and it much better. i dont think the dr was ok with lifting. i mean do not lift 10lbs for 4 weeeks is very hard to hold youself back. not even specifically with weight training, i was really talking about ADL’s with just lifting anything like a bag of food or whatever.
today i have started walking on the treadmill for 30 mins at 3.2mph at maybe a few mins with incline at 5%. tried a few seated machine exercise. bench, curl, supported row, tri’s, leg ext and curls. just a few sets to get a pump. minimal weight for 15-20 reps. i was keeping my breathing typical and was palpating my abs thoughout to make sure there is not enough tension on my abs.
not bad really!!
Nothing you guys have said makes me want to get mine done 
Then again, mine is only pea sized (umbilical)and at this stage causes no troubles.
I figure as long as it’s leaving me alone, I’ll leave it alone, deal!
yeah i have never a problem with the hernia! i just had for years so i figured lets get it fixed!! i am into my third week post-op and i have been at the gym every other day doing walking on the treadmill along with seated machine exercises. minimal weight at mostly unilateral exercises so i can palpate my abs to make sure my contraction is not very intense!
its been all seated row, incline bench, flat bench, curls, tri ext, leg ext, leg curl, bw calf raise, bw squats to 90 degrees and that is the biggest exercise i am doing to watch my internal pressure
I think I gave myself one about two hours ago while doing DL. Pain runs down right side from rib cage to waistline. I left the gym immediately.
It hurts to inhale, so I suspect it’s bad. Will go see the doctor tomorrow.
Fucking hell.
does anyone know of any “hernia specialists” out here in california?
I have had 2 hernias each 1 year apart, 1 ingroinal hernai on the right side and a spegellan hernia(doc laughed and asked how i got that one, He turns and says "i usually only see these types in woman after giving birth) haha, i said i must have taken one wicked crap and pushed waaay too hard!!
any ways just found a few more lumps, 1 under the belly button that hurts like hell and one on the right side under the belt line…
any doc or hernia/sports hernia specialists in cali?
info greatly appreciated!
I had an inguinal hernia repaired 6 weeks ago on Monday. I had the cut job and mesh put in. I read a post on here that recommened getting the mesh. The first two days post surgery was a little rough. Very stiff. Very sore. I stayed with the Vicodin and ibuprofen. I alternated ever 4 hrs. On the 3rd day I just went with ibuprofen as needed. At night for my sleep I went with the Vicodin.
By the 5th day, Friday I was pretty good and could walk around very well w/o medication. Started walking on tredmill at about a 3.0 just to get the stiffness to subside. I just got better from there. I still have not lifted weights at all. I am gonna completely take it slow. I have been out in the yard with my little boy throwing baseball and football with him. My diet is off. I go back to my job on Monday.
I lift regularly roughly 30-70 lbs there. I have the feeling I will be okay. That will be my clearance to start back in the gym. I will start slow there. I am in no hurry. It will all come back. I really am concerned more about when I can do ab work safely. I may wait until 12 weeks post surgery. I just want to be safe and not have to worry about reoccurance.
I will get back to my diet. This site is full of great nutrition info. I will be back to where I was before surgery. Slow and steady! I appreciate everyones ideas and input. Keep up the posts.
I had an umbilical hernia fixed in February(5months ago) with mesh. My entire recovery went great and had no discomfort after the first week. I couldn’t lift for a month after the surgery and then just worked up my lifts slowly after that. 4-6 weeks after surgery my doc told me I can do whatever I want as long as I feel up to it but use my judgment and listen to my body. About a month ago I started feeling discomfort in there. I think this started after wrestling my friend at the beach on day. It wasn’t bad at all until last week when I really felt it while doing underhand chins. I felt bad that whole week. Pinching, swelling and soreness. This week I feel a lot better, but still not 100%
I would think that 4-5 months post surgery that a decent amount of healing has taken place in there.
My doc told me it actually takes 1 year to fully heal.
What do you think is going on with me?
[quote]ANIMAL M0THER wrote:
I had an umbilical hernia fixed in February(5months ago) with mesh. My entire recovery went great and had no discomfort after the first week. I couldn’t lift for a month after the surgery and then just worked up my lifts slowly after that. 4-6 weeks after surgery my doc told me I can do whatever I want as long as I feel up to it but use my judgment and listen to my body. About a month ago I started feeling discomfort in there. I think this started after wrestling my friend at the beach on day. It wasn’t bad at all until last week when I really felt it while doing underhand chins. I felt bad that whole week. Pinching, swelling and soreness. This week I feel a lot better, but still not 100%
I would think that 4-5 months post surgery that a decent amount of healing has taken place in there.
My doc told me it actually takes 1 year to fully heal.
What do you think is going on with me?[/quote]
You could have tore the mesh, and yes it normally takes a year for someone to be 100% healed from a ventral/umbilical hernia repair.
[quote]DJHT wrote:
[quote]ANIMAL M0THER wrote:
I had an umbilical hernia fixed in February(5months ago) with mesh. My entire recovery went great and had no discomfort after the first week. I couldn’t lift for a month after the surgery and then just worked up my lifts slowly after that. 4-6 weeks after surgery my doc told me I can do whatever I want as long as I feel up to it but use my judgment and listen to my body. About a month ago I started feeling discomfort in there. I think this started after wrestling my friend at the beach on day. It wasn’t bad at all until last week when I really felt it while doing underhand chins. I felt bad that whole week. Pinching, swelling and soreness. This week I feel a lot better, but still not 100%
I would think that 4-5 months post surgery that a decent amount of healing has taken place in there.
My doc told me it actually takes 1 year to fully heal.
What do you think is going on with me?[/quote]
You could have tore the mesh, and yes it normally takes a year for someone to be 100% healed from a ventral/umbilical hernia repair. [/quote]
I read that the mesh is pretty durable and that it is difficult to tear it.
[quote]ANIMAL M0THER wrote:
[quote]DJHT wrote:
[quote]ANIMAL M0THER wrote:
I had an umbilical hernia fixed in February(5months ago) with mesh. My entire recovery went great and had no discomfort after the first week. I couldn’t lift for a month after the surgery and then just worked up my lifts slowly after that. 4-6 weeks after surgery my doc told me I can do whatever I want as long as I feel up to it but use my judgment and listen to my body. About a month ago I started feeling discomfort in there. I think this started after wrestling my friend at the beach on day. It wasn’t bad at all until last week when I really felt it while doing underhand chins. I felt bad that whole week. Pinching, swelling and soreness. This week I feel a lot better, but still not 100%
I would think that 4-5 months post surgery that a decent amount of healing has taken place in there.
My doc told me it actually takes 1 year to fully heal.
What do you think is going on with me?[/quote]
You could have tore the mesh, and yes it normally takes a year for someone to be 100% healed from a ventral/umbilical hernia repair. [/quote]
I read that the mesh is pretty durable and that it is difficult to tear it.[/quote]
Sorry what I mean is the mesh tears away from the muscle where it was sutured in. That takes time for the mesh to adhere to the muscle, kind of like melting together. That is what takes a year to heal.
[quote]DJHT wrote:
[quote]ANIMAL M0THER wrote:
[quote]DJHT wrote:
[quote]ANIMAL M0THER wrote:
I had an umbilical hernia fixed in February(5months ago) with mesh. My entire recovery went great and had no discomfort after the first week. I couldn’t lift for a month after the surgery and then just worked up my lifts slowly after that. 4-6 weeks after surgery my doc told me I can do whatever I want as long as I feel up to it but use my judgment and listen to my body. About a month ago I started feeling discomfort in there. I think this started after wrestling my friend at the beach on day. It wasn’t bad at all until last week when I really felt it while doing underhand chins. I felt bad that whole week. Pinching, swelling and soreness. This week I feel a lot better, but still not 100%
I would think that 4-5 months post surgery that a decent amount of healing has taken place in there.
My doc told me it actually takes 1 year to fully heal.
What do you think is going on with me?[/quote]
You could have tore the mesh, and yes it normally takes a year for someone to be 100% healed from a ventral/umbilical hernia repair. [/quote]
I read that the mesh is pretty durable and that it is difficult to tear it.[/quote]
Sorry what I mean is the mesh tears away from the muscle where it was sutured in. That takes time for the mesh to adhere to the muscle, kind of like melting together. That is what takes a year to heal. [/quote]
I hope I just strained some scar tissue in there. It’s improving every couple of days. Way better than last week. Actually my doc told me that the mesh is sutured to the fascia, not the muscle.
What is your experience with hernias?
[quote]ANIMAL M0THER wrote:
[quote]DJHT wrote:
[quote]ANIMAL M0THER wrote:
[quote]DJHT wrote:
[quote]ANIMAL M0THER wrote:
I had an umbilical hernia fixed in February(5months ago) with mesh. My entire recovery went great and had no discomfort after the first week. I couldn’t lift for a month after the surgery and then just worked up my lifts slowly after that. 4-6 weeks after surgery my doc told me I can do whatever I want as long as I feel up to it but use my judgment and listen to my body. About a month ago I started feeling discomfort in there. I think this started after wrestling my friend at the beach on day. It wasn’t bad at all until last week when I really felt it while doing underhand chins. I felt bad that whole week. Pinching, swelling and soreness. This week I feel a lot better, but still not 100%
I would think that 4-5 months post surgery that a decent amount of healing has taken place in there.
My doc told me it actually takes 1 year to fully heal.
What do you think is going on with me?[/quote]
You could have tore the mesh, and yes it normally takes a year for someone to be 100% healed from a ventral/umbilical hernia repair. [/quote]
I read that the mesh is pretty durable and that it is difficult to tear it.[/quote]
Sorry what I mean is the mesh tears away from the muscle where it was sutured in. That takes time for the mesh to adhere to the muscle, kind of like melting together. That is what takes a year to heal. [/quote]
I hope I just strained some scar tissue in there. It’s improving every couple of days. Way better than last week. Actually my doc told me that the mesh is sutured to the fascia, not the muscle.
What is your experience with hernias?[/quote]
Yes the Fascia is the covering of the muscle (if you have cleaned a deer you will understand), I gurantee he sutured into the muscle also, the fascia is not strong enough to hold sutures. I am a Nurse practitioner that works as a Regional manager for an occupational staffing company. Meaning I see a lot of work related hernias.
I almost hate to post to this thread but I’m bugged. I had hernia surgery (inigual, laproscopic, right side) 16 days ago. The Dr said I could lift light wieghts 2 weeks after surgery, no more than 30 total pounds. I have been walking a lot, llike three miles every other day. I’ve been extremely careful about lifting anything. Yesterday I go to the gym. I lift no more than thirty pounds: The workout went like this:
Bench- 15 lb dbells 4x10
Miltary same dbells 4x10
lat pull down 30lb 4x10
dbell row 20 lb 4x10
leg ext 30 lb 4x10
lying leg curl 30lb 4x10
dbell row 20lb 4x10
curls with a 20 lb bar
skull crushers with same bar.
i felt silly but a workout none the less.
I had to climb up a ladder when I got home and work on our air conditoner-no lifting involved.
so today, out of the blue, I start having some stabbing pain in my right abs. Very mild. it has gone away now. O, this morning I walked 3 miles and walked up an incline (concrete dike) about 70 degrees and 25 yards long for about 12 reps. So, I wonder if maybe I overdid it? The surgeon said I could do what I wanted as long as I didn’t lift over 30 pounds. I wonder if any of you who have had hernia repairs have any similar experiences? I have read through all the posts but didn’t see any that answered this particular question. Thanks for any help. BTW- I’m 45 years old and was in great shape prior to the surgery (except for the hernia of course). Which happened when I was doing weighted incline situps of all things.