[rosesnrubies]

4 Days Post-Op (Laparoscopic Hernia Repair)

Hello Chaunce 🙂

I’m doing well, I think. One of the things Brandie told me to keep in mind was that pain can come and go any time while healing due to inflammation (for 6-8 weeks post surgery). The past few days I’ve had the same warm/tight dull pain in the inguinal area that the hernia felt like. I’m trying to keep reminding myself that post-surgery pain can feel just like pre-surgery (non-fixed) pain, and not wig out haha. So yeah the pain has changed a bit in that it’s less tender in that area, and in general the pain is back to where the hernia pain was. I do get a little pain still when I try to sleep on my left side (halfway between hip crease and belly button) but it isn’t bad at all.

Overall though I am just using ice for any pain, and can do pretty much anything I need to on a daily basis (drive my manual transmission car, walk pretty good distance, lift small things). I’m not sure how long the lifting restriction is – that’s something I need to ask, but I am not picking up anything over 10 pounds (ish) currently. Or put another way, if I feel like I need to work or strain to lift something, I don’t do it.

I am looking forward to eventually getting back to yoga, hopefully. I start back to work on Monday (part time); I thought I’d be bored while I was away, but that wasn’t a problem haha. I guess I’ve been working nonstop (with a few vacations that were < a week) since 2000 so not working for three weeks (even though recovering) was incredibly nice.

Thanks so much for asking! I will keep checking in 😀

[rosesnrubies]

4 Days Post-Op (Laparoscopic Hernia Repair)

All of my imaging pre-op was negative. I had ultrasound, X-ray, CT scan, and MRI. I pretty much believe that the people reading the imaging would not have looked carefully enough to see a small hernia – I get the impression they do a scan of it between eating a sandwich and seeing a patient, and if there isn’t a giant cancerous softball then they say everything is good. That might just be Alabama though :/

So yeah my hernia was small – but in particular I guess they cannot know until they do the laparoscopic examination that the tissue protruding through the hernia is hitting a nerve or something. I also had some scar tissue but he believed the hernia was the source of my pain.

Speaking of pain, are you asking about Pre surgery or post? Pre surgery I had pain every day that got worse when I walked long distances, exercised, or had my period. The pain radiated down my inner thigh and across my bikini area, and it would even get warm and swollen sometimes which was hella uncomfortable. I didnt have bloating though. It definitely affected my quality of life by limiting what I could and couldn’t do due to pain. Before I got the pain I was going 2x week to the gym for strength training and exercise, I had to stop that. I couldn’t go on hikes with my partner anymore, because I would be in so much pain by the end that using my left leg was agonizing.

The big thing to me is that before Dr Ramshaw, no doctor (of 4 – a gynecologist, a primary care physician, an orthopedic doctor, a general surgeon) seemed to really give any craps about actually finding the root cause of my pain. Every one ended up just saying “go to physical therapy”. By the fourth time I was even starting to doubt my sanity. But Dr Ramshaw listened to me, believed me, and then ultimately confirmed what was going on; it was a hugely validating experience.

The pain post surgery (I’m 10 days out) is pretty minimal. I am tender, and I still have to be cautious that I don’t over exert myself, but really it isn’t bad at all.

I hope that answers some. I’m so sorry you are in pain and that your docs are not helping – it really is an awful place to be in 🙁 especially since your hernia is actually visible on ultrasound, I would think they would do something!

[rosesnrubies]

Post-Surgery Pain Management Questions

Thank you so much! I am about 4 days post op and was just about to write a post here and saw your reply. I will go check it out. Aleve has been helping some but I am not supposed to be taking it so alternatives are good haha.

[rosesnrubies]

Post-Op Recovery: What to Expect

I love this community 🙂 It really sounds like Dr. Goodyear is amazing, I’m so glad you got the help you needed and that your recovery was so smooth after the horrible first surgery experience!

[rosesnrubies]

Post-Op Recovery: What to Expect

I definitely will update 🙂 More than one person has already asked that as well, and knowing how helpful it is to hear others’ experiences I really do want to contribute if I can. I already told my best friend that is staying with me through surgery and after that she had better bring along a notepad to the hospital so she can write stuff down haha.

[rosesnrubies]

Post-Op Recovery: What to Expect

Gosh, thank you so so much for your info and advice; I know it took you a good bit of time to type all that up, and I’m so thankful. I actually took notes as I read through it haha. I’m female, so I won’t have the testicle problem, but I have read that labia can swell similarly so I am definitely preparing for multiple baggies of ice.

Re: #1, one good thing about my company is I have a desk that can change heights, so I can actually stand and do my work – so I know that will help. I appreciate the advice to wait 3 weeks though – I think I am going to be the good patient and do that. I want to heal well, and have the best chance possible to not be in pain anymore. I’m also lucky enough that my work schedule can be flexible, so if I can only work noon to four, that’s ok too. I really am glad to get someone else’s experience that went back to a desk job, thank you.

So, I have a to do list, and a shopping list based on your advice 🙂 That really helps a ton. I’m glad to hear that you are healing well!

[rosesnrubies]

Looking for a Hernia Specialist near North Alabama

It’s all been a very interesting experience – especially watching the skepticism on the faces of the physical therapists when I explain what I’ve been through (with regards to basically self-diagnosing, then finding Dr. Ramshaw who confirmed). They are all speaking to me like “well, IF it’s a hernia then… but this will help regardless,” which feels really condescending. I’m trying to overlook it, as I am positive their intentions are good (and with the exception of one lady today, nothing they’ve done has caused more pain), but it’s annoying.

The mental health stuff I didn’t really sweat – I’d be seeing my doc and counselor regardless, so having them each sign off on me if it makes Dr. Ramshaw’s office feel better is ok by me haha. I know that they’ve explained anxiety is normal – but for those who already have an anxiety disorder, they want to be sure it’s addressed as best as possible before doing the surgery if that’s an option. I’m just ultimately thankful I didn’t have a need for emergency hernia surgery, as I’ve read those outcomes aren’t always stellar.

On eating – I keep getting recommended to this book “Trim Healthy Mama” which seems like the worst of pseudoscience… It claims “bibilically sound” diet recommendations (argh, the bible recommended a lot of things I’d not recommend today, not to mention I am nonreligious), and seems to have no basis in actual nutrition science. My ‘diet’ has always aimed to be Pollan’s “Eat Food, Not too Much, Mostly Plants”. I fail at it a lot though.

[rosesnrubies]

Femoral Hernia?

Sorry to resurrect an older topic, but I had this question on my mind with regards to imaging in general.

I had an MRI, a CT, and two ultrasounds all of which the given radiologist deemed ‘normal, no defects’ essentially. Is there a means for the patient to request either a re-review with attention to groin hernia possibility, or is there someone that could be requested that has more expertise in diagnosing hernias from imaging that isn’t the garden-variety radiologist?

I understand that radiology is very complex, every body is different – and radiologists are well educated to recognize a multitude of abnormalities. But I guess I am wondering if there is a specific professional that has the expertise to look just for hernia indicators in that same imaging.

[rosesnrubies]

Looking for a Hernia Specialist near North Alabama

I had never heard of prehabilitation before I spoke with Dr. Ramshaw but it’s basically a period of a couple (or more) months to get body/mind ready for surgery and the subsequent post-surgical recuperation and rehabilitation. So in my case, because I already suffer from anxiety and depression, I’ll be working extra with my docs/counselor on how to handle the surgery and recuperation anxieties, the reality of being dependent on my roommate and partner for a little while after surgery, and any post-op pain if it happens that the repair doesn’t get rid of it all. I’m also starting to see a physical therapist to work on exercises for things like core strength and pelvic floor muscles to do when I’m not in a ton of pain. They also had recommended massages and seeing a chiropractor if I’m able.

This isn’t their program, but it’s a similar description: http://www.uwhealth.org/news/prehabilitation-how-to-prep-for-post-op-success/46132
And a couple of NIH studies:
(Prehab/length of stay, physical benefits) http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24439570
(Prehab/psychological) http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/27228096
Obviously the idea of it is still not very common, and there’s no standard program, but the practice of employing prehabilitation seems to be creeping up into cancer care and orthopedic surgery as well.

I hope I explained that sufficiently 🙂 I think it’s excellent that they are doing this really – I’d had no idea how huge of an impact a physical debilitation could have on my mental state until I broke my fibula last spring. And if there are any exercises that might help me heal faster, and maybe even could lessen pain in the meanwhile, I’m game.

I will update when I know more 🙂 Take care as well!

[rosesnrubies]

Looking for a Hernia Specialist near North Alabama

Hello Chaunce!

I am so so so incredibly grateful that you took the time to respond to my original post on this topic. My appointment with Dr. Ramshaw yesterday was absolutely brilliant. I have never felt like a medical professional was so attentive, PREPARED (holy bananas, they READ the things I filled out!), and unhurried during any appointment in my life. Most of the appointment was spent speaking to him and his patient care manager, with them answering a ton of questions and explaining a ton about hernias. He also did an exam that lasted less than 45 seconds and was able to feel something (he called it an ‘impulse’ which I guess means movement like bulging?) when I beared down while standing – just with a gloved fingertip over a portion of my left pelvic/groin region. He said that obviously confirmation of existence of (and type of) a hernia would come with laparoscopy, but that it could be sports hernia and possibly also femoral (I think). I just remain completely floored by the competence and capability of their team, especially when I’ve spent hours and hours plus $800+ in the last six months looking for help in Alabama.

In coordination with Dr. Ramshaw and his team I am starting the pre-habilitation process ASAP to hopefully have surgery within the next 6 months.

I know I said it already but thank you – I had already started looking up plane tickets to Beverly Hills just in case no one responded on this board (makes me wonder – of Dr. Towfigh’s patients, who has traveled the farthest for help?), but you showed me there was an option less than 4 hours drive away. I am so grateful to you, Dr. Ramshaw and his team, and especially Dr. Towfigh for her research on the topic of occult hernias and continually trying to bring their existence to the forefront of other docs’ minds. I guess, like usual, here in Alabama we stay about 60 years behind 😉

I will absolutely update as I go along if there is any interest as well.

Take care,
Melissa

[rosesnrubies]

Looking for a Hernia Specialist near North Alabama

I absolutely will. My initial appointment is July 26; I’m kind of scared to be optimistic but seem to be getting my hopes up regardless. 🙂

[rosesnrubies]

Looking for a Hernia Specialist near North Alabama

That is so scary, and so frustrating – I’m so sorry that you are still having pain… I can’t even imagine how hard that is.

I had a really encouraging experience after contacting Dr. Ramshaw’s office. Without my prompting, they actually referenced Dr. Towfigh’s literature, and I am scheduled for four weeks from now. I just want to say thank you SO much Chaunce for taking the time to make that comment – I have hope for the first time in a lot of months.

[rosesnrubies]

Looking for a Hernia Specialist near North Alabama

Oh my goodness, thank you so so much. That is phenomenal. I will contact him ASAP.

I actually have that note above printed out in a folder in my bag that goes with me everywhere; however, in my experience thus far, no doctor has read it. It’s really incredibly frustrating.