Last Updated on July 2, 2017 by Heather Hart, ACSM EP, CSCS
I’ve been wanting to write for days now. I’m bored, and there are only so many Netflix documentaries I can watch between fits of Percocet fueled naps. Alas, sitting up for too long, combined with staring at the computer screen, both make me equal parts dizzy and nauseated. But I’m going to give this my best attempt anyway, with the understanding that any incoherent sentences, grammatical errors, or simply poor story telling, are all to be blamed on the fact that I had my entire torso rearranged just a few short days ago.
I’m not functioning at 100%, kids.
Hernia surgery. We’ve established numerous times now that despite every effort to make this a popular running blog, my fan base is comprised of countless people who are about to, or have recently, also had their entire torsos rearranged in the form of some hernia repair. As it turns out, not a lot of first hand accounts of these surgeries exist on the internet, and doctors like to tell you this out patient procedure is “no big deal”. Except it is a big deal. A “you’re gonna be pretty useless for about a week”, painful, incapacitating sort of deal. Someone needed to say it. So I did. And I’m going to write about it…again.
To bring you up to speed: on June 27th of 2017 I had laparoscopic ventral hernia repair with mesh. In February of 2015, I had open incision umbilical hernia repair with mesh. The procedures were performed about 1,000 miles apart, one here in South Carolina, one back in Vermont, obviously by two different surgeons.
Now, I couldn’t begin to tell you why my first hernia was considered “umbilical” and this one considered “ventral”, even though they showed up in the exact same location (but this gives me the opportunity for a new blog post title, so three cheers for that, I guess). I also couldn’t tell you why the hernia came back, or why this recent surgery was so vastly different from my last hernia experience. But that is why I’m the patient, and not the surgeon.
Alas, here we are, 96 hours post hernia surgery #2. The two experiences, while sharing some similarities, were overall very different. Again, I’m not a surgeon, so I am trying not to be so bold and assume the differences are because one surgery didn’t work (obviously) and the other one (hopefully) did. Instead, I’m going to go with the theory that my most recent surgeon proposed: both techniques are valid, but clearly one didn’t work, so it was time to try something different.
And try something different we did indeed.
Let’s get right to the surgery. Back in 2015, I was operated on in a small hospital in a very liberal, very …I don’t know how to describe it other than “Vermonty”… town in, you guessed it, Vermont. Pre surgery, I was brought into a very quiet, private room with dimmed lights, a cozy lounge chair, and a nurse who was consistently changing out my warm blankets for MORE warm blankets. It was one aromatherapy candle and stone massage short of being a day spa.
Here in South Carolina, I was brought into a pre-op area that was sterile, closed off by a curtain, and rivaled the same sort of triage area you see in an emergency room. I didn’t get cozy non slip socks, but I was given what I’m pretty sure were shoe covers. (I wonder if I should have kept my Oofos on?), And forget the cozy chair, I was immediately plunked onto the gurney, staring at the ceiling. Alas, I wasn’t there to discover peace and tranquility, I was there to get my intestines sewn back into place, so none of this really mattered. But the stark contrast between experience was blatant, even Geoff mentioned it.
I felt reassured that they meant business here. No time for niceties or Yani CD’s.
Pre-op routine was exactly the same: put on a gown, pee into a cup, let the nurse start your IV, and sign your life away to the anesthesiologist. I met a bunch of different people who all asked the exact same required questions (name, birthdate, what are you here for, and who is operating on you today?) When the surgeon came in, I reminded him that this repair job HAD to be strong, because the hernia ruined my last 100 miler.
The surgeon gave me a blank stare, then replied in his Lithuanian accent: “I cannot run 100 miles.”
I shot back “Well I can’t perform hernia surgery.”
Without skipping a beat, he responded “I can. And I’m good at it. We’ll fix you up, 100 mile strong.” Then he laughed and I’m pretty sure mumbled something about crazy runners under his breath as he walked out of the room.
I had to make sure we were on the same page.
I was started on an IV of Toradol and Tylenol, which I was told would help get a head start on swelling and pain management. Next thing I knew, another anesthesiologist, different from the first one I met, came in with a nurse and started the “who are you and what you are here for routine” again. I told them, they put a cap over my massive head of hair, told me to kiss my husband and third mom (one of my bosses showed up to cheer me on) goodbye, we were about to get this show on the road. As they started wheeling me out, Geoff yelled “love you honey, have fun!” The anesthesiologist laughed and said “Fun? He must know something we don’t know!”…and then he proceeded to accidentally crash my gurney into a wall.
He quickly apologized, but I couldn’t help but laugh. “THE ADVENTURE BEGINS!” I yelled as he wheeled me away.
I saw the anesthesiologist inject something into my IV before we started wheeling down the hallway. I immediately started playing the “I wonder how much I’ll remember before I pass out” game. Turns out, I’d remember a lot more this time than last. We made it to operating room #8, where I told the nurse that 8 was my lucky number. She told me it was her UN-lucky number, as she played it at the casino the weekend prior and lost a ton of money. We then discussed how long it takes to lose $60 on penny slots. A long time, was the general consensus. They had me climb off the gurney and onto the operating table. I remember the anesthesiologist putting the EKG electrode stickers on my chest, while the nurse put some sort of air compression sleeves on my legs. They started to explain to me what those were for, but I’m pretty sure I interrupted and tried to tell them about the awesome pair I wore in Colorado, and they were welcome to send those home with me if they wanted to. (Spoiler alert: they didn’t.)
NOT the operating room. But you get the idea.
Then the nurse had me put my arms out to the side, and suddenly I was being strapped down, arms, and legs. I remember thinking, if ever there was a time to panic, that was definitely it. But I didn’t.
And that’s the last thing I remember.
I woke up with intense pain on my right side. This was surprising to me, as last time I woke up in zero pain. (And surprising in retrospect, as there were no incisions on my right side.) The pain was excruciating, but I was also still half comatose, and I couldn’t convey to the nurse (or even keep my eyes open long enough to see if there was one there) how much pain I was in. So I grimaced. I held my face, almost involuntarily, in the most awful of a scowl. I remember one nurse saying to the other “what’s wrong with her face?” and the other nurse replying “I think she’s in pain”. I don’t remember being moved back into another semi-private triage room, in the same place I started (I think), and I don’t remember Geoff and Cathy (mom #3) coming back in. But I do remember a nurse telling me the only way I could have more pain medication was if I would eat something.
Definitely putting this candid shot in my modeling portfolio.
I did NOT want to eat, but I DID want those pain meds.
So over the next HOUR, Geoff and Cathy hand fed me one tiny package of graham crackers (see photo above). It wasn’t necessarily that it took me that long to eat, but that I couldn’t keep my eyes open. And my mouth was so, so dry. Turns out this time they used a breathing tube during surgery, and despite the fact that the anesthesiologist said only a very small percentage of people experience pain, my throat was on fire.
Eventually I downed my crackers and Sprite (side note, why do hospitals always provide junk food?). I could not keep my eyes open, and I felt like I was being rushed by the nurses to get up and get moving. I understand why, of course, but at the time I wanted to tell everyone to leave me alone and let me sleep. Eventually they made me get up and go to the bathroom. Sitting up was probably one of the worst experiences ever. I was so dizzy, and so nauseous. I was absolutely certain I was going to fall over, but no one else seemed concerned. Geoff and Cathy walked me down the hall to the bathroom, and Geoff practically held me up on the toilet. Ahhh, marriage. It’s so sex and romantic (note my sarcasm)
There’s that “Everything hurts so I’ll make this grimacing face” face. And mom #3.
We get back to the room, and the nurse asks me how I feel and encourages me to get dressed. I tell her I’m certain I’m going to either pass out or throw up. She changes her tune and tells me to lay back down, then goes off to find me some Zofran (anti nausea medication). I’m hooked back up to the IV, meds are administered, and almost immediately I feel better. I force myself to stay awake every time the nurse takes my blood pressure and other vitals, knowing the exercise scientist in me would be proud. 103/67 is the lowest I get to (I think), and I congratulate myself. Yay running! And then I doze off some more.
(If you’ve read my last surgery report, you can already tell this is going much less smoothly)
My running friend Danielle, who also happens to be a surgical tech (or an OR nurse, I apologize I don’t know which one) at this hospital comes in to check on me. I remember her telling me that she was sorry she couldn’t work my surgery, but was in another surgery next door reattaching a man’s…manhood. I had to double check with Geoff after the fact to ensure that’s what I really heard, haha. She also told me that she gave me a forehead kiss in the OR pre surgery (post Heather passing out) and told the staff they better take extra good care of me. It’s fun to know people.
Eventually, I do get up and get dressed (and by that, I mean Cathy dressed me). I’m wearing a huge, Velcro waist binder that goes from my hips to over my chest. Let me tell you, this thing was, and has been, a life saver for me. Apparently there was concern about too much fluid build up between my diastasis recti, or at least that’s what Geoff remembers the surgeon telling him.
I sign a waiver saying, among other things, that I won’t sign any legal documents in the next 24 hours. I take pride that I’m still able to see the irony and hilarity of this protocol, despite being a drugged up mess. A nurse comes in and gives Geoff a thank you card, which again, I find extremely…odd. Aren’t I supposed to be thanking them? And I do, every single one I see as I’m being wheeled out to the lobby in a wheelchair being pushed by an older gentleman volunteer.
I also stop for a selfie. The pain meds had definitely kicked in…
Geoff gets lost trying to find the car. They had sent him out first, and I can only guess that he went out a different entrance than the one we parked in front of . The volunteer guy seems confused, and I can’t help but keep falling asleep in the wheelchair. He asks if I should call him, but my perpetually stuck in the 1980’s husband doesn’t really DO cell phones, and besides, he has mine. With the ringer turned off. But somehow I got home, so apparently he showed up eventually.
We head to CVS where I HAVE to get out of the car and go in to show my ID and obtain my controlled substances (Oxycodone, and opioid), which again, I find highly…confusing. I mean, I understand the reason for the “control”, but I don’t understand the reason why there isn’t some sort of foresight into obtaining said prescription BEFORE surgery, or having it sent home with you from the hospital. But instead, I waddle my hot mess self who can barely stand up or keep her eyes open into the crowded CVS pharmacy. I can FEEL the stares from others as I’m slouched in the waiting room chair like a drunk sorority girl, passing in and out of consciousness. The stares don’t bother me. At all. I’m that far out of it.
Eventually, they call my name, I sign for my pills, and Geoff whisks me, the Percocet, saltine crackers, and a two liter of sprite home.
Chelsey and Cathy are waiting for me in the parking lot, and they help tackle the arduous duty of getting me up THREE flights of stairs. Ahh, apartment living. I’m settled in to my couch, where once again, I doze in and out of consciousness. I try really hard not to laugh as Chelsey and Geoff take turns shocking each other with our TENS unit.
And that concludes “What I remember from surgery day”. Next post: Ventral Hernia Surgery Recovery. Stay tuned…
Heather Hart is an ACSM certified Exercise Physiologist, NSCA Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS), UESCA certified Ultrarunning Coach, RRCA certified Running Coach, co-founder of Hart Strength and Endurance Coaching, and creator of this site, Relentless Forward Commotion. She is a mom of two teen boys, and has been running and racing distances of 5K to 100+ miles for over a decade. Heather has been writing and encouraging others to find a love for fitness and movement since 2009.
trailsaway
Wishing you a speedy recovery (and happy to see that surgery doesn’t appear to have affected your sense of humor!).
Ken whitaker
Nice to hear you are safe at home.
Molly
I just had the same surgery on July 7th 2017!!! It sucks! I’m an avid runner and it has knocked me down!!! Wishing you a speedy recovery!!
MariV
Im recovering from a hernia myself and hating every second of it, since I’m also a very active (former personal trainer) mom of two little kids. Your writing is hilarious and I’m glad someone is out there writing about this. My belly is so big that I look like I’m 6 months pregnant. I googled to see if this is normal or if by some chance this last week of no exercise made me gain 30 pounds, so I’m glad you’re actually writing all of this and sharing your story!
Trisha
So I just came from the doctor and they want my hernia repaired. I’ve already hit my deductible for the year so WHY NOT.
But I have a 9 month old and a 5 year old in cancer treatment. When do I find the time?! Waiting for your recovery post and hoping it’s good!
Heather
Oh man, Trisha, I don’t know. That’s a tough situation to be in. Do you have a support system that can help with the little ones? I’ll get my recovery post up ASAP! I hope your 5 year old is doing well!
Michelle
My husband is suffering horribly from his umbilical hernia repair that occurred July 26, 2017. They gave him Norco which isn’t even touching his pain AND the doctor won’t prescribe anything else due to prescription abuse being rampant in Nevada. Any more updates you can give as this second one is sounding quite similar to his. They left his uncovered with liquid skin type bandaging.
Heather
Hi Michelle! I’m sorry to hear your husband is still suffering. I was in bed for a solid week this time around, in a good deal of pain. Week #2 I was able to get up and move around gently. It took about 3 weeks to feel somewhat normal again. I just surpassed week 4 and I’ve been back to my normal activities (running, etc.) but I’m still not 100%. Unfortunately it just takes time. Can he try a higher dose of OTC ibuprofen or something to help with pain and swelling?
Barry Jacobsen
Love everyone’s input and thank you Heather. I had umbilical hernia surgery 2 days ago. I’ve only taken 3 oxycodone pills so far. Woke up at 3:00 am the morning after surgery; thought someone stuck a knife in my belly and was twisting it. Since then only Tylenol and ice packs. I’m a 67 yom, but very active at the gym and in great health. What bugs me most is having to start over in the weight room. Small sacrifice and am truly blessed with a doting wife. Oh, by the way, had hemorrhoids removed and did the colonoscopy thing while out. One stop shopping! Wife says I’m now the perfect A-hole! Lol
Stephanie
I have enjoyed reading your hernia stories as I sit here recovering from my own hernia! It feels good to know someone else is hurting like me lol!
Eryn
Ok, you may have been the only person on the World Wide Web to write about your hernia experience and keep me interested!! I just had a ventral surgery and umbilical surgery repair with mesh on 7/20. My 2 year old destroyed my stomach-slash I way over did it while preggers. Well after my last son was born in 5/20 this year (side note,they have the same bday 2 years apart) I decided to get it repaired.
I love the TENS unit! I thought it helped immensely. I think I took one pain pill the same day I had surgery. Mine was also laparoscopic. Apparently I have an inguinal hernia that also needs to be repaired. :/. I’m anxious to hear about your recovery and will for sure be checking!! Good luck!
Deb Akers
I had a emergency double ventral hernia repair July 6th. Pain was ridiculous first week, Percocet didn’t even get it below an 8! Went back to surgeon, who then gave me Toradol pills. Did wonders for the pain, but after 48 hours developed diarrhea and nausea loosing 8 lbs in a week. Stopped toradol at the 48hr mark when that started. Mild to moderate pain now, seems positional, but Tylenol helps. But, my biggest problem is still nausea and fatigue. Seems like this is taking a stupid long time to recover. Prior to this I exercised 4-5 days a week and was very, very active. My husband is driving me crazy wanting to go on weekend trips on our motorcycle (rides rough) or go all day fishing ( which I love both,), but really don’t feel good enough to go. Frustrating! I am 50 years old and retired from a career as a Respiratory Therapist x 30 years to care for my elderly parents to keep them home on their farm. So, I am a natural caregiver. Obviously, my husband is not. Grrrrrrrrrr…….
Lucero Bienbenu
Please finish this story!! I’ve had the same surgery july 11, 2017. My biggest concern right now is my belly is still swollen. Is it from wearing tight compression belts?? Am I ever going to have a small belly?? Your experience is exactly what I felt and went thru. Still at home till September 7th.
Sarah Ashley
I had my ventral hernia surgery 5 days ago, and I have been Googling non-stop to see if what I am going through is normal. Thank you so much for your posts. This process has been way more difficult than my Dr made it seem like it would be.
Jessica
Hi!! I’ve absolutely loved your hernia blog. I am 27, have three babies (ages 1, 2, and 3). After baby #3 an umbilical hernia was discovered at my postpartum checkup. I continued life as normal until a month ago and it was hurting when I excercised and sometimes just during the day. I also. Prices that it had gotten larger. I went for a checkup and then immediately referred to a surgeon then had surgery within a week. I had surgery last Monday and am on week 2 of recovery. For me the day after and two days after were dreadful. I felt like a mountain lion was attacking my stomach!!! I took all of my pain medicine and am still taking Tylenol/Motrin because I still have dull sharp pains in the area. I loved your blog and it gave me something to tell how it would be like. I also had my surgery in South Carolina, the upstate-in Seneca. My surgery was much like your second surgery. It was a great experience, recovery not so much. My abdomen is still swollen-I look three months pregnant. I go back for my first follow up next week. I’m assuming I still won’t be cleared to lift much. Thank you for sharing your story. And welcome to SC!! It was great connecting with you through similar hernia related circumstances.
Bob Cunningham
Love your writing style! Had my hernia surgery Wednesday. And like you, I was led to believe it was going to be minor, easy recovery. It has not been. Thank-you for making me feel “normal” and not such a “baby” as I have been feeling. (Hopefully mine will not come back like yours did.) Hope you are fully recovered and thanks again for writing this!
Nitish
Hi I had an surgery to remove umbilicol cord as it was growing inside my stomach from Long time After 4weeks post surgery I am feeling weak and have feeling of passing out. Is it normal
Ann Watson
Hi! Appreciate your sharing very much. I have traveled a similar journey as I am an avid runner and had a double hernia repair (umbilical and ventral, no mesh, Modified Shouldice technique) last March. My recovery was pretty fair…felt like I may have pushed back into running soon, but doc gave me clearance, soooo….. But tonight, I’m sitting on the floor grading papers. I stand up to get something and I feel a pinch to the right of my naval where the ventral hernia was. It has persisted for a few hours…with a little pressure there…almost feels like a gas bubble. Have you had any pain months after? It is very mild, like a pinch. I freak out about every pain. I know my surgeon is going to be like, “oh no, not her again!”. Lol.
Nitish
Hi Ann Watson
I think pains like that are normal as I have got similar pains and doc did ultrasound and other tests
They say everything is fine and I’m constipated which looks to be the cause so drink more water and keep moving especially don’t take stress on your brain as per my experience
Sarah
Hello! Just had my own umbilical cord hernia repair. (24 hours ago). I also had severe diastatis during pregnancy 14 years ago. I also am a runner … not 100 miles! but Hood to Coast and occasional 1/2 marathon and I weight train 4 days s week. Your blog has been very helpful and I’m wondering how to find a good trainer to help me truely heal WELL and maybe help the decades old diastasis recti. ??? What help or resources have you discovered?
Thanks Sarah
Craig Bissell
I am on day 4 painfully recovering from a laparoscopic umbilical hernia surgery. Looking for something more honest about the time required versus what I was told (3-4 days). Thanks for your lighthearted sharing,
There is not much to find.
Margaret McComb
Thetummyteam.com to heal a diastasis recti, I currently purchased it their program and started, I too have a small umbilical hernia according to my MRI report “a very tiny small umbilical abdominal hernia”, I have an appointment feb 7 to follow up with my MRI results with the surgeon. I’m not sure what to expect.
Lisa Sadighi
So how was the overall recovery for this surgery in comparison to the first? I’m had umbilical hernia repair in July and in Dec. I’m having the ventral surgery. I’m not a happy camper but just want to get it over with.
Heather
Hey Lisa! It was MUCH MUCH harder the second time around. I attribute this to the fact that the second surgeon really listened to my concerns, and placed a much larger piece of mesh over my abdomen. It was a more intense surgery to hopefully last longer this time!
Chanise
Hi Heather! Thanks so much for sharing your story. I have very similar experiences with my ventral hernia repair surgery on 11/17/17. I found out that I had two hernias- umbilical and ventral. The difference between my hernias were that the umbilical was an internal tear through my belly button and the ventral was a tear in the fat layer of the abdomen that created a hard bulge that could be seen on my stomach. I never had any pain from the umbilical hernia but the ventral hernia was a few inches to the right of my belly button and caused me excruciating pain and swelling. After extensive research and getting advice from a family lawyer, I decided to get a traditional open ventral hernia repair with no mesh. The type of surgery method used definitely impacts the healing process and pain tolerance. I’m on my third week of recovery and I can manage my pain with aspirin and Tylenol. Normal day to day activities are still hard and I have to take constant rest breaks or else my stomach aches and swells then my legs start trembling and get weak. I’m very interested to know how the rest of your recovery is going and would love to hear more! I hope you’re doing well and God bless you!
Dr Prashant Joshi
Hey heather, love from india, myself Dr Prashant joshi , had a ventral hernia repair like your 1st one , open with mesh before 2 months , you being a runner and fitness enthusiast , i would like to know what according to you is a nice time to start exercises and which ones for atleast nice muscles!! Thanx
jamieannthompson
Going in for a SECOND hernia surgery 1 week from today & came across your blog while googling “what to expect during umbilical hernia surgery!” My first was inguinal and done via laparoscopy last March (ouch). I discovered this lovely one just a few months after the first, but at first thought maybe it was scar tissue from the first. It (unfortunately) wasn’t. Like you, I’m SUPER active & mid obsession with barre classes right now. Sooooo, this second surgery may just drive me to insanity. HOW do we, as such active women, get these awful things? My surgeon mentioned that some people (us) are “lucky” & this is the trophy for the wear/tear we’ve done to our bodies. Ugh. That said, this surgery is OPEN, not done via laparoscopy (so, hopefully less expensive) but I know it doesn’t mean any less painful. Like you, I laughed when my surgeon told me that I could expect to be “down” for at least a week after surgery. But holy goodness, I sure was! It was at least a week before I had an appetite (thank you pain meds) and didn’t feel pain!
Question for you – for the second repair, did they use mesh? If so did your surgeon mention using a larger size to reinforce the area better? My surgeon mentioned doing this for me knowing how active I am. I hope to GOD that this will be it for me!!! I sure hope your second surgery was successful & you are doing great now!
Take care – – love your honest posting!
Heather
Hi there!
I’m sorry to hear that you have to go back for a second surgery! So the first surgery, the doctor used a small piece of mesh. Second surgery (and different surgeon), the surgeon chose to use a huge piece of mesh – it stretches practically hip to hip and rib to rib. I really stressed how active I am, both for fun and as a profession, and he took my concerns seriously. So far so good! Good luck with your second repair, I hope it’s the last one for you!
Trina Laine
I’m 1 weeks post op. Second umbilical hernia repair surgery. This time with mesh.
I’m still experiencing so much pain and discomfort.
My belly is heavily distended and My whole abdominal area feels like it’s filled with fluid.
Definitely for a 4 month prego belly type situation.
I’ve only had 1 BM in the last week. And I’m not able to eat much.
This blog and all the comments really helped me feel like what I’m experiencing isn’t abnormal.
Sounds like 2 weeks recovery is expected.
The surgeons all said it was simple and routine.
Nothing feels simple with the amount of pain and bloating my body is experiencing.
Thanks again for this post.
Jennifer
Hi Heather! Thank you so much for posting your experiences. I am a mama of 5 and am facing laparoscopic diastasis recti and hermia repair using mesh in the coming weeks. I’ve looked for the recovery update on here and can’t seem to find it anywhere. How are you doing now? Any regrets? Any advice? Like most people, I’m most concerned about it coming back AND the recovery.
Blessings!!
Daniel J dresen
Funny, my hernia operations were in an opposite manner. I had the laproscopic first and it healed faster… But came back later… When it merged with a second hernia. I have Crohn’s so my abdomen was weak from fistulas. Im on day 8 of my second hernia post op… It hurts more than the last time (I was picking up my kids by now). I hope it heals soon with school starting soon. The first surgery didn’t use mesh but this second one did. Hope you recovered well and it doesn’t return again. After this hernia heals I am getting back in shape.
maureen
I would love to discuss the surgery with you. I had umbilical surgery on Monday and I am having a difficult recovery.
Kahmix
Things I have learnt from my 2nd umbilical mesh repair. (14 days post surgery)
1. Sneezing and coughing are also to be feared and avoided like the plauge, you don’t want one of these suckers to sneak up on you it feels like being stabbed with a hot knife and will likely put your arse back on the couch.
2. Shapewear ( something firm that is not suffocatingly tight) gives me the support I feel I need and is much more comfortable than the variety of belts I have on hand. And helped minimise the swelling imo.
3. The pain is your friend it reminds you not to over do it. Seriously everytime I feel almost human I end up back on the couch because I have overdone it by attempting some minor tasks that I normally wouldn’t think twice about.
4. If you have small children have care in place the more the better for the first 2 weeks in particular. ( Not complaining about avoiding nappy duty completely for a week and I’ll admit I have had fun getting to kick hubby out of bed in the middle of the night to deal with the baby)
5. Bribing my teen son with money to do housework is apparently still not enough to get him to clean.
6. It is not just lifting…. pushing and pulling and squating and bending are also going to leave you sore. And since I don’t want a third repair (hopefully i haven’t already messed it up by over exerting myself) for me that means no work for another 2-4 weeks. Note: work for me is supermarket nightfill.
pat ritter
I hope you’re doing well after your second session. I just had my surgery, via a trip to the ER. I’ll be a week post op Monday. The kicker – I had just signed up for my first live 5k, at least I have almost 6 weeks to recover. You’ve also inspired me to blog about my experience. I’ll let you know when I do!
shelley
Urgh I feel your pain. I am 5 days post umbilical hernia surgery repair & it still feels like the winded sensation I had before the op. Am feeling tender & delicate but making the most of husband having the week off. I agree about the pillow as comfort against your tum. A woolly scarf has been my comfort. It’s true about wanted to protect the area from the world. I haven’t tried the stairs yet so have been washing in the kitchen sink! Lol! My dressing looks clean & so I haven’t disturbed it with logic that not fiddling with it reduces risk of infection. But having said that am thinking a shower would be lovely & a chance to gauge how much my body has repaired. So glad to talk to a real person who has gone through the same. Take it easy! You sound like a bit of a fitness guru! Respect for that. I too keep fit but am thinking to change my gym workouts for swimming. So scared to need further surgery. I hope all is getting better for you 😉
Sam
Week 4 for me…it has been a bitch. I live in Switzerland and they kept me in the hospital a few days. I can’t possibly imagine going home the same day because the first 24 hours the pain was unbelievable. it took two weeks before I could get out of bed without sharp pain and even now during the 4th week I have a lot or lower left belly pain. I’ve had 4 other operations and never had pain like this..the doc completely undersold the whole operation. Never again! I hope 🙂
Gabe
Hello fellow ultra runner! Major thx for inspiring everyone to share in response! My name is Gabe, same story in western North Carolina: I’m five days post-op on my 2nd umbilical hernia repair – this time with mesh. I am so beyond stoked to learn how things have progressed for ya, but seems this may be the last writing you’ve shared on the topic. One of the things I feel you missed throughout your writing is the pain associated with laughter. My boyfriend likes to think he’s the next Dave Chappelle but his humor is really catching me off guard. My goals this time around are hyper focused on ensuring it remains CLOSED and easing back into trail running and lifting a bit more gradually than I had last time. Not an easy feat for us crazy runners. I just want to add that I’m extremely relieved to see so many responses – truly feel less alone and I’ve got you to thank for that.
Heather Hart, ACSM EP-C
Hey Gabe! Thanks so much for the comment! I suppose I SHOULD write a follow up post! Long story short, I’m going on 3 years since my last surgery, and all is well! I have taken a lot of care and effort in focusing on strengthening my transverse abdominal muscles to help heal the diastasis recti, but I do know that’s not always an issue for everyone with umbilical hernia surgery. Anyway, I will put that on my “to do” list! I hope you heal quickly, and TRY NOT TO LAUGH (you are right, that is really painful!) Sending you healing vibes and well wishes!!
MamaCass
Totally need to write an update! Scrolled for a long time to find this.
Mom of six going in for the first procedure in a month and wanted to learn more about which procedure worked and how to recover as an active person. Been putting off surgery for six years, but we have crossed the line and need the surgery.
So glad the last round worked and took and you’re strong still!
Now going to look up your list of suggested transverse abdominal exercises.
Ann Watson
Thanks for your share Heather! I feel we have unwittingly journeyed together on this hernia running path. I have had to hang up my running shoes after 25 years however, due to hip issues. So now…all we have in common is a ventral and umbilical repair. Both of mine done at the same time in 2017. No mesh…..permanent sutures with Shouldice method….no issues….until last Saturday. During my weekly routine of carrying a 5 gallon water tank to my car and balancing it on my right knee while opening the car door with my left hand….I felt a tug at my belly button…no pain. In the days that followed I have had right abdominal muscle pain and pain back in the belly button area. I am sick thinking I compromised the repair…so frustrating if so. I see my surgeon next Wednesday to find out. Anyhow, loved our similarities. Sending lots of positives your way and a request to run a few miles for me in your next race, eh?
Liz Andersen
I stumbled upon your posts while searching information regarding umbilical hernia repair. Did you stomach return to a normal state ( no sag or extra skin) after you had the repair down?
I’m semi worried I’ll have it done and then be left with sagging skin.
Thank you.
Heather Hart, ACSM EP-C
Hi Liz! My extra skin is from two pregnancies/birthing two big babies. It’s not going anywhere without plastic surgery!
LeeAnn I.
This was such a great post to read. I don’t run too much anymore but had gotten really into strength training back in the summer of this year and then deciddd I needed to get my hernia repair done before I did any more damage. The hernia ended up actually being FOUR hernia and I also had my diastasis repaired. I’m 6 days post surgery and starting to feel more human. The engagement of my core is still quite uncomfortable and getting on/off my couch or out of bed a challenge. I’m getting stir crazy and feel the need to DO something besides watch TV but I’m nervous to drive anywhere and my energy level quickly wanes after a moderate length walk. I appreciate your post and wish I’d read it before my surgery so my expectations were better set as my surgeon also underplayed the pain post-surgery and immobility issues.
Cecilia
I am now deciding if to proceed with my umbilical hernia surgery too. I have diastisis recti and I’m umbilical hernia. All along I had tot mine was just diastisis recti till a recent annual health check. I am seriously worried about the surgery especially the post surgery recovery process. How is your recovery from your 2nd hernia surgery like?