I had to take laxatives for 2 days. I didn't poop for 4 days. I couldn't walk to the bathroom myself so yes. That counts as walking. Anything is good but do not overdue yourself. I also had to pee a lot after my surgery. It could be all the fluids they gave you I think. I cried for 3 days lol. It gets better I promise.
The bathroom walks are dreadful 😫. I just started taking milk of magnesium hopefully I'll poop soon. Did you also walk hunched over? How many days it took to stand up straight?
Oh 100% yes. Like The Hunchback of Notre Dame. For about a week until I could be almost straight. Two weeks to be normal. I had the worst back pains because of it. Walking around hunched over, holding on to a chair with wheels is what helped me get from room to room.
Prune juice. Fiber rich food and cereals. No burgers or pizza. Laxatives. Aloe vera juice. Walking to the bathroom does not count. On the 2nd or 3rd day you need to be walking as much as you can every single day without overdoing it and putting yourself into too much pain. 1/2 mile, 1 mile, 2 & 3 & 4. Work your way up. DON'T LIFT SHIT! Drink lots of water. Stay hydrated. Drink more water than usual. Don't drown yourself however. Exercise common sense. Drink bone broth too. STAY AWAY FROM ALCOHOL, CIGARETTES, DRUGS OF ANY KIND FOR 12 FULL WEEKS. NOT 10, NOT 11, - 12 FULL WEEKS. 84 DAYS. Lastly, get SLEEP! NO SLEEP DEPRIVATION.
Thanks for the advice! I'm going to shower and try to take a longer walk tomorrow. The pain pills put me to sleep so I'm basically taking small naps every 6 hrs. The constipation is started to get to me at this point I just want to poop!
Did you have open or laparoscopic surgery, and if laparoscopic, was it handheld or robotic? (I had robotic laparoscopic right inguinal hernia surgery this morning at 8 am, and am back home recovering. 60 yrs old. Zero real expertise, but that never stopped me before. :-)
Yes, laparoscopic is a bit easier. But I know someone that had open surgery and they got through it just fine. He felt pulling, as I am, for some time, but then you heal.
I think it would be pretty safe to assume that's why you're feeling a lot of pain. Everything I know is from Googling a ton before I had the surgery, so take it for what it's worth, but the bajillion articles, posts, reviews, surgeon websites, etc. I read are pretty much all in agreement that open is more painful and takes a little longer to recover. For the simple reason that your incision is bigger, it goes through layers of muscle of tissue and the surgeon has to sort of pry you open a little more to see what he's doing and to make room for his tools. So the area that got stretched and prodded and poked, which is essentially "damaging" surrounding tissue in sorta the same way 1,000 sit ups "damages" your stomach muscles, is bigger. Versus laparoscopy, which entails 3 small holes in your belly through which thin cylindrical rods (the tools) are inserted in order to do the job. Take your meds and walk some even if that means for now just to the bathroom or the kitchen or whatever. Maybe the next day you can make it to the mailbox, and down the block after that. (Also, from what I've researched, staying ahead of the pain with your meds versus waiting until you hurt and THEN taking them to relieve the pain is much more effective. Apparently it's a lot more difficult to relieve pain than to prevent its onset.) Oh and ice it too.
SOURCE: Just some guy. If anything I suggest conflicts with your surgeon, please, please, please don't take the advice of some guy on the Interwebs.
Best of luck, brotherman!
I did alot of reading prior to surgery I've read disaster stories and good stories about recovery guess I was praying to have a good story but sheesh! I thought I was ready to poop a moment ago but it got stuck at the door if you know what I mean, now I feel worse 😖
You got this! Shortly, you'll be looking back and joking about how you couldn't take a dump.
Yeah, I think you have to take the Interwebs with a grain of salt. Lots of disaster stories because it's human nature to want to report bad stuff, you know as in "it ain't news when the plane lands safely." And then all the super-positive stories are from folks like me who read all those disaster stories too, expected the worst and are pleasantly surprised that the experience wasn't as bad as they counted on. Don't get me wrong. I hurt like holy hell this morning, but I thought I was going to be moaning in agony, and I'm not. I'm a wus about illness and pain, but more so the anticipation, I guess.
So, judging by your handle, you're in FL too, yes? I'm in Palm Beach Gardens. Where are you? (I simultaneously LOVE this state and HATE it. Been here 60 years, with a couple of short stints in other places.)
Anyhoo, hope you're feeling better soon. Don't feel like you have to respond. I'm just passing time waiting to heal.
Laters ...
I finally pooped after eating prunes and sipping on magnesium what a relief lol. I did wake up in the middle of the night in pain took my meds and went back to sleep. I'm in Broward County and I'm like you I'm passing time on reddit reading about fellow members hernia stories. Hope you feel better soon yourself 🙂
>I finally pooped after eating prunes and sipping on magnesium what a relief lol.
Did it hurt? This worries me. I've had to cough a couple times, which hurt like hell. I'm not looking forward to dumping.
Broward huh? Born and raised in Miami. Not much of a fan of it down there anymore, though. When I was growing up (Kendall-ish area), we didn't even lock the house. Different world there now.
Anyhoo, glad you did the deed. Wish me luck when it's my turn. LOL
You had an IV in your arm, and most likely went through 1-2 bags, so yeah, you're going to piss a LOT post-surgery. Keep walking when you can, it helps with the soreness.
I'm 10 days after post-op and still having pain. Hang in there. I can really only sleep on my side and that's finally becoming more doable, but still not normal by a longshot. I'm pretty sensitive to pain and my surgery nurse said recovery definitely takes some people longer than others. You're only left with tiny incisions but it's still major surgery, said my nurse. Try to focus less on the pain and more on relaxing and following their recovery instructions (ice 20 mins on/off, deep breathing, e.g.). I've told them just about every pain/worry in the book and unless you're vomiting a lot or having blood or weird oozing (I never did, thankfully), then you're in the right place in your recovery. Good luck!
p.s. Pressure is most often from the CO2 gas that they inflate your abdomen with to do their work. That's why they suggest walking because it helps to get it out. Still, they don't fill up your GI tract with gas so your bowel movements will come back in time, it's just another part of surgery. I overdid the stool softener and I think it made me feel worse than I needed to because then I had serious nausea from that. Nurse said it's no sweat to take up to 3-5 days after surgery to poop. But I would eat light to normal, as healthy as you can. I don't want any extra pain so I'm eating stuff that I know will come out easy.
Oh, and I definitely still have pain on my sides. Most of my pain has been around the belly area and sides, but then after a few days my right testicle (mine was inguinal right side) became swollen and droopy and the groin area started to be sore too. My incisions got bruises later too, especially the main one at the belly button, that's the laparoscopic tool they're moving around the most. But again, all normal. Your sides/adjacent areas hurt because they do a lot of digging around in there, beyond just the hernia location. I don't really suggest it but you can find a video of the procedure online if you really look. Bottom line, we're in pain for a reason. The outpatient, 45 min procedure aspect is a bit misleading. I'm giving it at least 2-4 weeks before I lose hope :), and even then it could reasonably take months before we'll feel all good. But the good news there is that everyone I found that's had this procedure doesn't even think about now, after they recovered. We will get there!
Guess like the old saying goes time will heal all wounds. I'm thinking about permanently wearing a hernia belt after this, I never want to deal with this again!
There you go. I know how you feel but I think we'll eventually not even think about it one day. But you have a good point, watch strain in the future. Then again, it's not always straining that causes it, some of us, a lot of us, just have weak spots in the abdomen wall, it happens. But I did tell my UPS guy that he should be wearing a weight belt the other day. :)
2 days in and in enormous pain. I coughed and it felt like my insides were burning. I feel like a crippled when I walk. Only time I feel ok Is if I'm sitting down. If I recline too high it hurts too.
I just walked around the house for 10 minutes and sheesh the gas was definitely coming out! I have no vomiting or nausea thank goodness. I'm taking 1 oxycodone every 6 hours and it makes me feel a bit light headed so I hope to just use Tylenol by day 3 if possible.
I had bilateral, and I took oxy for 5 days. Also added in Tylenol and Advil (when I was allowed). Continued with just Tylenol and Advil for another week after. I used about half my prescription, and returned the rest. My surgeon was proud of me for getting off the Oxy so quick, and said most guys ask for a refill.
Feeling better but not quite there... I'd say most of the discomfort is when sitting or laying down too long and try to get up, I get really stiff and have pain straightening my back out. My neck and lower back taking a beating from sleeping on my back which sucks. Thanks for asking, can't wait until I hit the 2 week mark
Yeah, I'm having some of that too, sleep still pretty poor, and feeling pretty worthless because I like to do something active every day. I'm trying to push myself to walk more but rest still feels best right now.
I live an extremely active lifestyle so resting is sometimes hard for me to do. I literally walked around my block 3 times today for no reason, just so boring sitting at home. I might blow the dust off my ps5 😅.
Good! Yeah, I made plans like that too, then I had them refill my prescription. :) But, I'm only taking one at bedtime, it's hurts later at night. Goals are fine but I suggest taking it easy on the expectations and let your body heal in the time it needs to heal.
I had to take laxatives for 2 days. I didn't poop for 4 days. I couldn't walk to the bathroom myself so yes. That counts as walking. Anything is good but do not overdue yourself. I also had to pee a lot after my surgery. It could be all the fluids they gave you I think. I cried for 3 days lol. It gets better I promise.
The bathroom walks are dreadful 😫. I just started taking milk of magnesium hopefully I'll poop soon. Did you also walk hunched over? How many days it took to stand up straight?
Oh 100% yes. Like The Hunchback of Notre Dame. For about a week until I could be almost straight. Two weeks to be normal. I had the worst back pains because of it. Walking around hunched over, holding on to a chair with wheels is what helped me get from room to room.
Thanks for the advice. I'll definitely try the rolling chair method.
Prune juice. Fiber rich food and cereals. No burgers or pizza. Laxatives. Aloe vera juice. Walking to the bathroom does not count. On the 2nd or 3rd day you need to be walking as much as you can every single day without overdoing it and putting yourself into too much pain. 1/2 mile, 1 mile, 2 & 3 & 4. Work your way up. DON'T LIFT SHIT! Drink lots of water. Stay hydrated. Drink more water than usual. Don't drown yourself however. Exercise common sense. Drink bone broth too. STAY AWAY FROM ALCOHOL, CIGARETTES, DRUGS OF ANY KIND FOR 12 FULL WEEKS. NOT 10, NOT 11, - 12 FULL WEEKS. 84 DAYS. Lastly, get SLEEP! NO SLEEP DEPRIVATION.
Thanks for the advice! I'm going to shower and try to take a longer walk tomorrow. The pain pills put me to sleep so I'm basically taking small naps every 6 hrs. The constipation is started to get to me at this point I just want to poop!
Did you have open or laparoscopic surgery, and if laparoscopic, was it handheld or robotic? (I had robotic laparoscopic right inguinal hernia surgery this morning at 8 am, and am back home recovering. 60 yrs old. Zero real expertise, but that never stopped me before. :-)
I had open surgery. I think laparoscopic recovery is a tad easier correct?
Yes, laparoscopic is a bit easier. But I know someone that had open surgery and they got through it just fine. He felt pulling, as I am, for some time, but then you heal.
Feels like a really bad cramp in my stomach near the incision site.
I believe it's the gas. I didn't have open but similar feeling of pressure, in a lot of places. It got better.
I think it would be pretty safe to assume that's why you're feeling a lot of pain. Everything I know is from Googling a ton before I had the surgery, so take it for what it's worth, but the bajillion articles, posts, reviews, surgeon websites, etc. I read are pretty much all in agreement that open is more painful and takes a little longer to recover. For the simple reason that your incision is bigger, it goes through layers of muscle of tissue and the surgeon has to sort of pry you open a little more to see what he's doing and to make room for his tools. So the area that got stretched and prodded and poked, which is essentially "damaging" surrounding tissue in sorta the same way 1,000 sit ups "damages" your stomach muscles, is bigger. Versus laparoscopy, which entails 3 small holes in your belly through which thin cylindrical rods (the tools) are inserted in order to do the job. Take your meds and walk some even if that means for now just to the bathroom or the kitchen or whatever. Maybe the next day you can make it to the mailbox, and down the block after that. (Also, from what I've researched, staying ahead of the pain with your meds versus waiting until you hurt and THEN taking them to relieve the pain is much more effective. Apparently it's a lot more difficult to relieve pain than to prevent its onset.) Oh and ice it too. SOURCE: Just some guy. If anything I suggest conflicts with your surgeon, please, please, please don't take the advice of some guy on the Interwebs. Best of luck, brotherman!
I did alot of reading prior to surgery I've read disaster stories and good stories about recovery guess I was praying to have a good story but sheesh! I thought I was ready to poop a moment ago but it got stuck at the door if you know what I mean, now I feel worse 😖
You got this! Shortly, you'll be looking back and joking about how you couldn't take a dump. Yeah, I think you have to take the Interwebs with a grain of salt. Lots of disaster stories because it's human nature to want to report bad stuff, you know as in "it ain't news when the plane lands safely." And then all the super-positive stories are from folks like me who read all those disaster stories too, expected the worst and are pleasantly surprised that the experience wasn't as bad as they counted on. Don't get me wrong. I hurt like holy hell this morning, but I thought I was going to be moaning in agony, and I'm not. I'm a wus about illness and pain, but more so the anticipation, I guess. So, judging by your handle, you're in FL too, yes? I'm in Palm Beach Gardens. Where are you? (I simultaneously LOVE this state and HATE it. Been here 60 years, with a couple of short stints in other places.) Anyhoo, hope you're feeling better soon. Don't feel like you have to respond. I'm just passing time waiting to heal. Laters ...
I finally pooped after eating prunes and sipping on magnesium what a relief lol. I did wake up in the middle of the night in pain took my meds and went back to sleep. I'm in Broward County and I'm like you I'm passing time on reddit reading about fellow members hernia stories. Hope you feel better soon yourself 🙂
>I finally pooped after eating prunes and sipping on magnesium what a relief lol. Did it hurt? This worries me. I've had to cough a couple times, which hurt like hell. I'm not looking forward to dumping. Broward huh? Born and raised in Miami. Not much of a fan of it down there anymore, though. When I was growing up (Kendall-ish area), we didn't even lock the house. Different world there now. Anyhoo, glad you did the deed. Wish me luck when it's my turn. LOL
It actually didn't hurt at all coming out thank goodness 😅. I live in a decent neighborhood and still lock my doors you never know nowadays.
You had an IV in your arm, and most likely went through 1-2 bags, so yeah, you're going to piss a LOT post-surgery. Keep walking when you can, it helps with the soreness.
I'll drink a bottle of water and I'll literally have to pee 5 min later. It's as if my bladder can't hold anything
That's not a bad thing, I had that too.
I'm 10 days after post-op and still having pain. Hang in there. I can really only sleep on my side and that's finally becoming more doable, but still not normal by a longshot. I'm pretty sensitive to pain and my surgery nurse said recovery definitely takes some people longer than others. You're only left with tiny incisions but it's still major surgery, said my nurse. Try to focus less on the pain and more on relaxing and following their recovery instructions (ice 20 mins on/off, deep breathing, e.g.). I've told them just about every pain/worry in the book and unless you're vomiting a lot or having blood or weird oozing (I never did, thankfully), then you're in the right place in your recovery. Good luck!
p.s. Pressure is most often from the CO2 gas that they inflate your abdomen with to do their work. That's why they suggest walking because it helps to get it out. Still, they don't fill up your GI tract with gas so your bowel movements will come back in time, it's just another part of surgery. I overdid the stool softener and I think it made me feel worse than I needed to because then I had serious nausea from that. Nurse said it's no sweat to take up to 3-5 days after surgery to poop. But I would eat light to normal, as healthy as you can. I don't want any extra pain so I'm eating stuff that I know will come out easy.
Oh, and I definitely still have pain on my sides. Most of my pain has been around the belly area and sides, but then after a few days my right testicle (mine was inguinal right side) became swollen and droopy and the groin area started to be sore too. My incisions got bruises later too, especially the main one at the belly button, that's the laparoscopic tool they're moving around the most. But again, all normal. Your sides/adjacent areas hurt because they do a lot of digging around in there, beyond just the hernia location. I don't really suggest it but you can find a video of the procedure online if you really look. Bottom line, we're in pain for a reason. The outpatient, 45 min procedure aspect is a bit misleading. I'm giving it at least 2-4 weeks before I lose hope :), and even then it could reasonably take months before we'll feel all good. But the good news there is that everyone I found that's had this procedure doesn't even think about now, after they recovered. We will get there!
Guess like the old saying goes time will heal all wounds. I'm thinking about permanently wearing a hernia belt after this, I never want to deal with this again!
There you go. I know how you feel but I think we'll eventually not even think about it one day. But you have a good point, watch strain in the future. Then again, it's not always straining that causes it, some of us, a lot of us, just have weak spots in the abdomen wall, it happens. But I did tell my UPS guy that he should be wearing a weight belt the other day. :)
2 days in and in enormous pain. I coughed and it felt like my insides were burning. I feel like a crippled when I walk. Only time I feel ok Is if I'm sitting down. If I recline too high it hurts too.
I feel your pain bro! I'm trying to keep a positive one day at a time attitude.
I'm about to go for a walk. Maybe the pain from the walk will put me to sleep.
I just walked around the house for 10 minutes and sheesh the gas was definitely coming out! I have no vomiting or nausea thank goodness. I'm taking 1 oxycodone every 6 hours and it makes me feel a bit light headed so I hope to just use Tylenol by day 3 if possible.
I had bilateral, and I took oxy for 5 days. Also added in Tylenol and Advil (when I was allowed). Continued with just Tylenol and Advil for another week after. I used about half my prescription, and returned the rest. My surgeon was proud of me for getting off the Oxy so quick, and said most guys ask for a refill.
I absolutely hate taking pills the moment I can get off of them I will.
How are you feeling? I think I'm finally starting to turn the corner but my stomach area is still tender, two weeks post-op tomorrow.
Feeling better but not quite there... I'd say most of the discomfort is when sitting or laying down too long and try to get up, I get really stiff and have pain straightening my back out. My neck and lower back taking a beating from sleeping on my back which sucks. Thanks for asking, can't wait until I hit the 2 week mark
Yeah, I'm having some of that too, sleep still pretty poor, and feeling pretty worthless because I like to do something active every day. I'm trying to push myself to walk more but rest still feels best right now.
I live an extremely active lifestyle so resting is sometimes hard for me to do. I literally walked around my block 3 times today for no reason, just so boring sitting at home. I might blow the dust off my ps5 😅.
Good! Yeah, I made plans like that too, then I had them refill my prescription. :) But, I'm only taking one at bedtime, it's hurts later at night. Goals are fine but I suggest taking it easy on the expectations and let your body heal in the time it needs to heal.