No More Heavy Lifting
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Senior User
Joined: Feb 2003
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From: northwest
No More Heavy Lifting
Well now I did it.
Yesterday I picked up 2 bags of pellets for the pellet stoves and got a hernia. I go under the knife Wed. the 15th.
My question is... what can I expect in terms of limitations, time off from work, future lifting abilities, etc...
Luckily I'm covered with insurance and have AFLAC so the $$ is not an issue.
Just wondering how my quality of life is gonna be affected.
Anyone else go and do something like this?
Yesterday I picked up 2 bags of pellets for the pellet stoves and got a hernia. I go under the knife Wed. the 15th.
My question is... what can I expect in terms of limitations, time off from work, future lifting abilities, etc...
Luckily I'm covered with insurance and have AFLAC so the $$ is not an issue.
Just wondering how my quality of life is gonna be affected.
Anyone else go and do something like this?
Elder User
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 757
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From: Fredericton NB, Canada
I herniated a disc inbetween my C5 and C6 a couple of years ago in the gym. Unfortunately, even with surgery, physio therapy, and preventative maintenance you will probably never be 100% again. I know im not. But it does help alot. Do what the doctor says, strengthen you back muscles, and avoid heavy lifting. Im not sure how long you will be out of work. I was out for 2 weeks, lost control of my left arm, took a year of physio and weight training to get it back to par. Yours may be a different story. Good luck with the surgery and TAKE IT EASY!
-Matt
-Matt
Senior User
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 188
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From: Tehachapi, CA
Are we talking abdominal hernia or herniate disc? If it's an abdominal, no worries. I had a hernia repair in 1966 and I lift bales of hay, 50 lb bags of horse feed, etc. I'm careful how I lift. I think I was laid up for about 2 months after the surgery. I also had surgery for a herniated disc in 1969. Longer recovery time and you really have to be careful what you lift. Since both operations, I have water skied, ridden and been thrown by horses, raced cars, run 2 miles a day and more. BUT, you've got to be careful. Know your limits.
Guest
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 7,988
Likes: 55
From: north west new jersey
i went though hernia sugury for a double down low. in 1996. i was out of work 6 weeks and light duty for 6 more. don't let them fix it with a scope job for the lower kind it dosnot work as well as the old way with a 2inch cut.
you will be fine after it is not like a spine repair. with this they repair the tear and stich in a fiber mesh to strenthen the area. only problem i felt was where they shave the area while you are asleep
good luck and don't be scared
you will be fine after it is not like a spine repair. with this they repair the tear and stich in a fiber mesh to strenthen the area. only problem i felt was where they shave the area while you are asleep
good luck and don't be scared
Posting Guru
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 1,045
Likes: 1
I had the traditional mesh repair also. Almost 2 yrs, no problems. The first few days are tough but no real big deal. Get a TV and a good recliner. I never needed the narcotics they gave me except 1 I took after the anesthesia wore off. The worst part is if you have to cough or sneeze. Excruciating pain, fels like your stitches will burst. Delay the op if you have a cold with coughing, even clearing my throat, grunting, anything like that was very painful. I was out of work 1 week but I dont do lifting or anything. 3 months no golf was the tough part. My surgeon said, let it heal right the first time, dont push it.
Good Luck
Good Luck
Postmaster
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 2,628
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From: Calgary, Canada
I had an umbilical hernia back around '96 and had it repaired with the mesh. I took two weeks off for the surgery and recovery and went back to work. I was sore for a month or so but have no residual effects. I was back to lifting weights and could deadlift 300lb.
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I had a lower abdominal hernia last year. I had it repaired last January. The procedure was done laproscopically. I went in at about 6AM, and was on the phone for my 1:30PM conference call. Sure my voice was high due to having a breathing tube in all morning. Anyway, tylenol only for the pain. This was a Friday, so I took Monday off to lay around. My job is no lifting, so going to work Tue to Fri was no problem. The next Monday the doc says all ok, no restrictions. I had one time where I had a sensation in that area, but other than that, it was just fine. Three holes, all less than 1/2 inch.
The stories posted earlier were what I heard, so I was quite pleased with the results. There are some restrictions on laproscopic proceedures, but if you qualify, by all means make sure that is what they do.
A few years ago, laproscopic was NOT the standard of care. It should be the standard now. If it isn't, throw a flag on this and find out why.
Good luck.
The stories posted earlier were what I heard, so I was quite pleased with the results. There are some restrictions on laproscopic proceedures, but if you qualify, by all means make sure that is what they do.
A few years ago, laproscopic was NOT the standard of care. It should be the standard now. If it isn't, throw a flag on this and find out why.
Good luck.
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Senior User
Joined: May 2003
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Good luck man! Fortuntely a hernia isn't the big deal it once was.
I'm patiently waiting for advances in back repair. I have one herniated, and two partial tears in my discs. I refuse to have surgery at this time, because I haven't met a person yet that has had long term positive results from back surgery.
I'm patiently waiting for advances in back repair. I have one herniated, and two partial tears in my discs. I refuse to have surgery at this time, because I haven't met a person yet that has had long term positive results from back surgery.
Elder User
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 543
Likes: 1
From: South East Texas
Talking about backs, My L4/L5 blew out back in 84 and I went in and they shaved the disc away from the nerve trunk and sent me home. Problem was they did not give me any follow up as to what I can and can't do.
I was in the Air Freight business at the time and went back to work after about a month. It started giving me problems again in 90 so I went back in and they did it again. No problems since then. Lucky for me the doctors opted not to fuse my back both times. Friends of mine that got fused are alot more limited to what they can do and most can barely twist around to wipe their butt.
I was in the Air Freight business at the time and went back to work after about a month. It started giving me problems again in 90 so I went back in and they did it again. No problems since then. Lucky for me the doctors opted not to fuse my back both times. Friends of mine that got fused are alot more limited to what they can do and most can barely twist around to wipe their butt.
Guest
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 7,988
Likes: 55
From: north west new jersey
redo
Originally Posted by 85e150six4mtod
I had a lower abdominal hernia last year. I had it repaired last January. The procedure was done laproscopically. I went in at about 6AM, and was on the phone for my 1:30PM conference call. Sure my voice was high due to having a breathing tube in all morning. Anyway, tylenol only for the pain. This was a Friday, so I took Monday off to lay around. My job is no lifting, so going to work Tue to Fri was no problem. The next Monday the doc says all ok, no restrictions. I had one time where I had a sensation in that area, but other than that, it was just fine. Three holes, all less than 1/2 inch.
The stories posted earlier were what I heard, so I was quite pleased with the results. There are some restrictions on laproscopic proceedures, but if you qualify, by all means make sure that is what they do.
A few years ago, laproscopic was NOT the standard of care. It should be the standard now. If it isn't, throw a flag on this and find out why.
Good luck.
The stories posted earlier were what I heard, so I was quite pleased with the results. There are some restrictions on laproscopic proceedures, but if you qualify, by all means make sure that is what they do.
A few years ago, laproscopic was NOT the standard of care. It should be the standard now. If it isn't, throw a flag on this and find out why.
Good luck.
Guest
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 7,988
Likes: 55
From: north west new jersey
back
Originally Posted by Zane M
Good luck man! Fortuntely a hernia isn't the big deal it once was.
I'm patiently waiting for advances in back repair. I have one herniated, and two partial tears in my discs. I refuse to have surgery at this time, because I haven't met a person yet that has had long term positive results from back surgery.
I'm patiently waiting for advances in back repair. I have one herniated, and two partial tears in my discs. I refuse to have surgery at this time, because I haven't met a person yet that has had long term positive results from back surgery.
Posting Guru
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 1,045
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Im not an MD, but from what I read, heard, was told by my doctor, traditional surgery with mesh reinforcement is least likely to recur, and hernias have a high (relatively) rate of recurring no matter how repair is done. Lap is easier recovery, but is actually riskier due to the possibility of something being punctured. To me it sounded like the difference between tying your shoes by hand or using a pair of cooking tongs in each hand, obviously overstating it but something to think about.
Again Im no MD, just relating my experience. Get an opinion from surgeons who do both, and do what you think is best.
Again Im no MD, just relating my experience. Get an opinion from surgeons who do both, and do what you think is best.
Super Moderator
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 34,526
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Yea, the results on laproscopic were worse a few years ago, but the technique has improved. As with a lot of things, it depends on the Dr.
You only get one laproscopic job though. The guy told me they can only do it that way once...not sure of the technical reasons but it has to do with the scar tissue etc.
In any event, good luck.
You only get one laproscopic job though. The guy told me they can only do it that way once...not sure of the technical reasons but it has to do with the scar tissue etc.
In any event, good luck.
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Senior User
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From: northwest
Heavy Lifter's reply
Hey Fellas,
Thanks for the replys on the hernia. It gives me alot of encouragement.
I should have made myself a little clearer. It was indeed an abdominal hernia that reared its ugly head as I set the bags down. It could have been my back so I should be grateful.
At least i don't have to go Christmas Shopping, hang lights, or bring pellets in for a while. If I can play it right spring time is the proper healing time completion time. Just don't let my wife know. Our little secret eh guys?
I speak with the surgeon tomorrow and get some questions answered.
Thanks for the replys on the hernia. It gives me alot of encouragement.
I should have made myself a little clearer. It was indeed an abdominal hernia that reared its ugly head as I set the bags down. It could have been my back so I should be grateful.
At least i don't have to go Christmas Shopping, hang lights, or bring pellets in for a while. If I can play it right spring time is the proper healing time completion time. Just don't let my wife know. Our little secret eh guys?
I speak with the surgeon tomorrow and get some questions answered.
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