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Weight training with *possible* inguinal hernia

Will see how it goes, but today was pretty promising. I took the weight down a little, but the biggest difference (I think) was losing the belt; I didn’t even feel that bit of pressure I previously did when squatting because I wasn’t creating the maximal intra-abdominal pressure that I would with the belt (which allows for increased pressure, but doesn’t cover the area where the hernia is). Hopefully bulge stays small and lifting stays comfortable!

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Fat in Inguinal Canal vs Hernia vs Cord Lipoma?

Oh, and one more imaging-related question: If this was a congenital defect, would an abdominal CT I had done about seven years ago (kidney stone) show it? Don’t have the disk so would need to track it down, so I’m curious if it’s even of any diagnostic value.

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Fat in Inguinal Canal vs Hernia vs Cord Lipoma?

Thanks, this is helpful. My interests in knowing the “contents” and nature of the defect are twofold: Knowing the likelihood of it getting worse (increasing in size; going from fat-only to fat and bowel) as well as the likelihood of complications (too small to strangulate; just small enough to strangulate).

Per the original question in this thread, is there much difference in the prognosis for a minimally symptomatic hernia with a fat-only sac, fat seeping into the inguinal canal and a cord lipoma (if there really is a difference between these things)?

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Fat in Inguinal Canal vs Hernia vs Cord Lipoma?

Sorry to dredge up an old thread, but I just started leafing through pages on this site after discovering it recently and it led me to a question about diagnosis: Is it possible to discern between tissue types involved through imaging, and is there any real advantage to doing this? The info in this thread suggests that there may be slight variations in the cause of symptoms, but not necessarily any difference in the outcome.

I understand, based on answers to my previous questions, that size of the hernia is often telling (the smallest inguinal hernias are usually composed of fat). But is there any way to definitively “take inventory” of the sac and, to that end, know just how large a hole/tear/weakness exists in the musculature and does that provide any useful information from a management/treatment perspective? Thanks.

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Continued proliferation of Millikan tension-free plug and patch repair?

quote :

I would echo Dr.Szotek’s comments. I remove at least one plug a month for pain. I highly recommend finding an experienced laparoscopic surgeon to fix your hernia.

Thanks. Am I being shortsighted in having a bias (based on what little I’ve read so far) towards an open repair because of its single incision and avoidance of general anesthesia?

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Continued proliferation of Millikan tension-free plug and patch repair?

Thanks for the very detailed response, it’s very helpful!

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Continued proliferation of Millikan tension-free plug and patch repair?

Thanks for the info, and the link to your clinic (as Indy certainly is in the neighborhood!). Has it gone out of favor because it turned out to perform poorly long term, or because other methods proved better?

The purported short duration of the operation, use of local anesthesia/IV sedation and quick recovery time sounded attractive but then again, so did the Theranos blood diagnostic technology…

Above all else, I obviously want to see a surgeon who follows the latest developments, knows which methods have stood the test of time and what approaches (including watch/wait) are best supported by today’s evidence. Thanks again, Dr. Szotek.

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Weight training with *possible* inguinal hernia

Thanks for the clarification, much appreciated! One more question, if you don’t mind: Would you consider the minor, painless “pressure” felt in the area when lifting as “hurting” in this context (that is, trying to avoid aggravation by “pushing” more material through the hole)? Or am I simply feeling my abdominals pushing against that which is already there?

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Weight training with *possible* inguinal hernia

Much appreciated, thanks! I do think an expert consultation is a wise next step, so I have an informed idea of what I can and cannot do and the if/when/how of repair.

If I understand you correctly, you are saying that I should avoid putting strain on my groin beyond that of a cough or sneeze (and therefore back squatting with 300lbs across my back is a bad idea)? In general, if I don’t feel strain/pressure on the area is it likely I’m not causing further damage (I realize you cannot give me a specific answer or medical advice without seeing me so this may not be an appropriate question to pose here/now)?

Thanks again.

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Weight training with *possible* inguinal hernia

So quick update: I went to an immediate care branch of a local health system for the purpose of a basic diagnosis and the doc said she felt a small hernia. I didn’t get the sense she knew that much about the subject other than what was in a textbook back in school (which was disappointing, given that she was a DO and I would have expected more knowledge of musculoskeletal issues, but I digress…).

Based on that encounter, I have a couple of additional questions:

1. She said that the inguinal canal was clear; does that by nature make this a direct hernia?

2. Is there any way to know whether, at this time, it is bowel or just fat comprising the hernia?

3. What, if any, value is ultrasound imaging at this point in terms of confirming the diagnosis or providing other information?

Thanks.