I am 73 years old and I am having open inguinal hernia surgery next week. Any advice on recovery?
Don't know if this is of any help as my surgery was keyhole for a Spigelian hernia. Given very little information apart from that it would be very painful. Pre-op nurse told me to wear loose clothing to go to the hospital which was good advice (someone had skin tight jeans and couldn't get them on to go home!) he also said avoid dogs and young children as they can jump up or run into your stomach. The nurse on the day said NO lifting or stretching for at least eight weeks , she said use your common sense regarding driving she said it's not only a n emergency stop but maneuvering to park etc . I had my op on a Thursday and the nurse told me to rest for at least four days. I did used to get up every hour or so and walk up and down. Someone on this site put a link to Hernia Talk and I wish I had found this prior to my op. It advised you to take Milk of Magnesia for a week after the op so as not to get constipated, eat a simple diet for the first couple of weeks.No exercising like Yoga, Pilates, gym etc but it said walk, walk, walk. It is uncomfortable getting up from a sitting or lying position, I still had effects for several weeks but not constant. I never attempted to lift anything but as the weeks go on you find that you can do more. Even simple things like the kettle were difficult the first week. You adapt and find alternated ways of doing things. I put the recycling box out and took the glass and bottles to it in small amounts rather than carry the box! Listen to your body. I still get spells when I feel tired but I am getting back to normal. Hope this helps.
Just a little thing that I was told when I went for my check up- keeping your bowels moving helps recovery !
Hi
I am 58 and 8 weeks ago had the same operation. The surgeon said I’d be back to work in two weeks, baring in mind I had been fairly active before the op. It took three weeks to start to settle down but felt uncomfortable to walk too far. Each day I pushed a little harder each day walking further and the scar healed nicely. Keep you bowls flowing is key. They gave me co-Codinol which stopped me going for 8 days. So if your pain killers are the same make sure you take a stool softener. After four weeks I was able to use the hoover and after 6 weeks walk the dogs. The older you are the more time it takes to heal only getting to full mesh strength after three months. The surgeons are a little bit gun ho and say it will
Heal in two. It doesn’t heal that quick
I was 71 when I had my op 2 years ago. Bad pain only lasted a day or two, but there was lingering nerve irritation for months; in fact over a year. This lingering nerve irritation did not stop me doing anything but was just annoying. I was allergic to the modern transparent dressing adhesive so watch out for that. Yes, do keep the bowels moving as straining can be painful and worrying. Yes, my surgeon didn't prepare me for the long time it takes the mesh repair to finally settle with twinges along the way.
Yes, it may be slower to heal but, do exactly what the surgeon tells you post-operatively!!!!! Then, you will be fine⛄️