Incisional Hernia - ThinnerTimes

Marella · 06-12-2008, 12:49 PM

Incisional Hernia... that was my diagnosis after a CT scan yesterday.

I've had a funny pain since last Wednesday, sharp, stabbing, but not constant in three staple areas of my belly. By Friday it became extremely painful when I moved, and even when I didn't move it's like I am being stabbed with a pen knife.

It was so bad after a hearty sneeze Saturday morning that I called my doctor.

Since there were no bowel obstructions shown on the CT scan, right now, I'm on two weeks notice that hopefully the pain will ease and will show signs of healing (seeing doc in 2 weeks for decision).

If not, it's surgery to repair... and my doc doesn't want to do it until I have some looser skin around my belly so as not to have the hernia reoccur (this is my second open abdominal surgery) because the walls are weak. Yeah, I'm 32 pounds down and trying hard to see 50.

Now, I can't exercise at the gym because I can't afford to make it worse, and obviously, it's painful... so I'm largely only walking when I can.

So THIS IS A WARNING... when your ORDERS read, don't lift anything above a certain weight DON'T.

Although I followed those orders. I couldn't lift anything above 10 pounds for a month... I didn't even pickup my dog.... after 5 weeks I felt toooo good. Sitting on the sofa, I twisted my body to the left and tried to pickup a box that weighed probably 25 pounds. Although I don't remember any pain afterwards, IT was the stupid thing I did on Tuesday that I think caused the pain I began to feel on Wednesday.

Please watch yourselves and your lifting. Pay close attention to your restrictions.

BUT, I looked good yesterday, so I took a new pic of me... see Avatar. It's the first that actually tells me I'm not that bad looking, especially after I compared it to the girl who weighed 32 pounds more. I think I want a nose job though. It's too bulbous. Can't wait to have a neck and less cheeks.

JuliaGulia · 06-12-2008, 01:28 PM

Thanks for the advice. I feel so much better and my surgery was just on Monday. I can totally see thinking I am ok and ignoring things like not lifting!
I'm sorry you are going through that

Sue0609 · 06-12-2008, 11:43 PM

I need to have my husband read your post. I just had my surgery Monday and he was well aware that I wouldn't be able to lift anything to do anything that could strain the incisions. He is aware of what can happen because his appendectomy scar basically ripped open on him (before I met him, but the scar is still quite evident). Today I asked him to water some plants outside that need to be done by hand and he was hemming and hawing, so I went and did it myself. Big mistake, a full watering can is pretty heavy. I didn't tear anything, but I'm not doing that again for quite awhile!

I hope you heal up quickly.

Marella · 06-13-2008, 10:39 AM

Thank you for your well wishes.

I don't know what it is about post surgery. I've had 11 and still, you feel like you should be climbing a mountain two days after you come home. It's almost like you don't think others believe the condition you're in and you feel that they're right and you're just babying yourself, or feeling sorry for yourself, or asking for sympathy, and then motivate yourself wrongly to do something beyond your restrictions BECAUSE of peer pressure or spousal pressure.

Trust me, I think it's normal. Even after my C-section, I felt like my MIL was judging me because I wasn't cleaning the house and washing the car. It was my hubby who had to strap me down.

Take it easy... you've just had major surgery... I don't care if it was a LAP, it was major, you have internal major changes... nudge your hubby toward the computer screen, or print it out. Now take care of me like those wedding vows said!

It's OK to take it easy, to take it slow, and then get back onto the merry-go-round when you are HEALED! Amen!