Hello, I'm scheduled for inguinal hernia surgery this week and I'm becoming concerned about post surgical pain. In order to empty my pouch and in order to relieve the gas, I normally need to bear down fairly hard. I also regularly find myself relieving the gas in my system by lying down on the floor and moving side to side while often bearing down. Has anyone on the site had this surgery and if so how did recovery go? Thanks.
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NYC - G...
Big picture ... had my pouch for 36 years ... had inguinal surgery in 2012 ... so, a fairly long time ago, in New Jersey far, far away...
I was on our couch watching the 432nd episode of Law & Order. Cuddling with my wife (who is a doc!) and I coughed. She felt something in my lower sternum. She made me cough again (and again) and said, "hey, you have a hernia!"
Fast forward to NY Presbyterian ... I contacted my colo-rectal surgeon and he recommended a colleague who was inherently familiar with my colon-less landscape.
The surgery was straightforward ... a day to recover and get discharged ... my pouch was ok throughout. I do recall that I was encouraged not to push / strain and let my movements come very naturally. Diet and lots of liquids facilitated the recovery.
And, my wife, just reminded me that the anesthesia was "MAC" -- monitored anesthesia care or conscious sedation -- a lighter state of anesthesia which reduced the likelihood that my gut might seize or collapse or just decide to take a break.
In sum, don't sweat it. Your docs need to thoroughly swap info and surgical history ... you need to take it slowly and follow the diet recommendations ... and trust in the system!
Best, Michael
Thanks so much. Boy do I unfortunately know far too much about what it's like if your system won't restart, ileus, after surgery. It happened twice to me and pretty near did me in. Two 3 week plus stays in the hospital and a long recovery. Still, 18 years later I'm a happy poucher.