Hernia Help

[StormDragon]

I suffered a hernia last year in my lower abdomen and i can truly say that i would not wish such pain and agony on even my worst enemy.

The injury was repaired using a piece of mesh and it took a bit longer than normal to heal, but all went well. However, there is still ocassional pain, discomfort, and i constantly worry that i may re-injure that specific area again due to the nature of my work, or worse yet herniate the oposite side. I have spoken to my surgeon and others that i know had the same injury and they all agree that this injury will most likely cause me a lifetime of pain.

My question is: Is there any way to strengthen those muscles so that i do not repeat the injury a second time, Or should i do more to stretch those muscles making them more flexible? I am guessing that if i strengthen those muscles or muscles that are under developed in that general area - or if i make those muscles and tendons more flexible this should go to prevent another injury or even lessen some of the pain i currently have. Does anyone have any info on this?

 

[Distortion]

Well correct me if i'm wrong but a hernia happens with your lower intestine breaks though the lower abdominal wall, So if you strengthen the lower part of your abs you'll lessen the risk of hernia

 

[StormDragon]

Thanks. You are right, however i'm looking for more detailed information.

I guess what i'm looking for is an answer from someone who has had that type of injury; especially someone who works out or leads an active lifestyle. If it is a simple matter of concentrating on a new ab routine, doing more stretching, or dropping a few pounds; I'm there.

I just can't possibly believe that there is nothing i can do to eliminate some of the pain, let alone prevent it from happening again. I mean it has effected my work performance, my daily activities, and worse yet.........my performance in the sack. I simply can't have this any longer.

 

[guest username]

I think a program of stretching and concentrated abdominal exercises would be the best.

However, I cannot see why you should have a lifetime of pain if your hernia has been repaired. Are the muscles not properly stretched?

Before I comment further, what type of hernia did you have exactly? Was it an inguinal hernia? Do you know which type of repair was done? What type of mesh was used?

 

[BOWTECH]

Bro I had a double hernia surgery about 5 years ago. I also had bad pain for over a year after the surgery. But 2 weeks after the surgery I started back into the gym. Today I have zero pain and I lift heavy 90% of the time. Just give it time. You have to remember that when you get a hernia it's a tear in the muscle. That will take quite awhile to heal.

 

[StormDragon]

I honestly cannot remember which mesh was used but i am 100% sure that it was not the plug style repair that was new at the time. My doc told me that the mesh he was using was relatively new to the procedure but he had used it quite often before and that re-occurence of this injury was less than 1%. I can also tell you that there was one incission and not 3 small incissions which i believe is used in a similar treatment.

It was inguinal. The reason why i had mentioned the bit about the lifetime of pain is because i was told this by several people that had the procedure done in the past. This really bothered me because even now i ocassionaly do have pain. Perhaps you are right in thinking that i may be stretching that muscle too much or do not stretch in enough. I don't think that i am aggravating the injury durring my normal work day but that is another possibility. I just may not be realising that i am doing exactly that.