[JHue]

Hello Good Intentions,

For me, 30 minutes a day with moderated (due to degenerative disc disease from a teenage broken vertebrae later causing osteoarthritis) resistance exercise before hernia surgery was where I was at–to walk 1 to 3 hours I would have to have a cardiologist approval (as I had a previously corrective heart rhythm surgery).

Upgraded cardiologist care is next on the list–no apparent pressing cardio issue (though such things can be silent), just that the doctor I recently ended relationship had not done a stress test in the 5 years I had been with him, no cholesterol testing, and 1 echocardiogram (at my request) when first establishing care. I live in a rural setting but found better care the next county over that serves a wider area but does not overlook the individual as a person. They did my robotic hernia surgery and have been prompted in answering my recovery questions.

Your point about getting the bodily fluids following is well taken–thank you. However, I would think it wise for anyone not having a recent cardiologist check up to arrange one before starting any exercise program.

I do intend to get my walking back up to 45 minutes a day regularly. Likewise, I hope to put back together my old SoloFlex for variety in resistance exercise in addition to light dumbbells–being careful with the neck and nerve issues that flare up.

Having this unexpected hernia (unknown of specific cause) has heightened my awareness to prepare health wise for the long haul. I have well taken care of myself (now into my late 50’s), but I can be more consistent and step up some things, like walking once I meet with my new cardiologist.

With gratitude, JHue.

[JHue]

quote Good intentions:

Somebody recently had a hernia repair at a VA hospital and, apparently, they are doing the same thing that they’ve been doing for many years. So, it might be that we just need to unwind some of this “progress” and go back to what was working.

Respectfully, V.A. health care is dictated by cost savings, merely by fact of allotted budget. Before proceeding with the V.A. over private care (in any area of care), I would have to compare their short/long term outcomes of offered procedure(s) with private care options. (Combat-related mental health care and orthopedics may be among a few exceptions of advanced care since it specific to unique patient needs not regularly addressed privately. By the way, I am not a combat vet but rather sought to keep peace during the Cold War era.)

If V.A. care is the only health care someone has available, there is at least some comfort in knowing that for “many years [as you put it]” this would seemingly suggest consistency in procedure, even if not the best available per individual patient need. However, high V.A. doctor turn-over rates may negate the notion of a doctor having done a sizable number of hernia operations.

Reiterating my major point, the length of time the V.A. has done a procedure one way (based on cost savings) does not indicate anything of rate of complications, which may or may not be better or worse than other procedural options privately developed over the same period the V.A. has been doing hernia surgeries.

I did not even bother to inquire of V.A. care for my hernia operation since I have insurance for private care. For me, having 3 primary care V.A. doctors in the last 5 years was enough of a factor.

Again, most respectfully, JHue.