I finally had my hernia operation.  I have been struggling with this hernia for a year or more.  The last few months it has been getting worse and worse.

But still I waited.

Most of last year I was in the process of trying to get into a different job.  The job I had at that time was not working out that well for me.  The health insurance was not that great and I wanted to get to a different job that was better.

So I waited.

I started a new job 3 months ago.  This job had far better health insurance but there was a 3 month lag in the health insurance.  I had to work 3 months, then the health insurance would take effect.

My plan was to call for an appointment as soon as I was eligible and then have the operation within a few months after that.

My body or the universe thought otherwise.  I had terrible pain one Saturday morning.  I had my son take me to the Emergency Room and the surgery was done the following Monday.

I did pay for COBRA health insurance while I was waiting.  This was extremely expensive but I am so grateful that I did it.

I have more fully described the hernia operation and my recovery in my podcasts found below:

This is a podcast of the day of my operation and the first few days afterwards. Just click on the start button arrow to listen.
This is a podcast of how I was doing a week after the operation. Just click on the start button arrow to listen.
This is a podcast of how I was doing about 4 weeks after the operation. Just click on the start button arrow to listen.

I also have my first podcast typed up for you to read as a PDF below.

My Written description of My Hernia Operation.

The big thing I want to stress is if you are strugglng with a hernia, get it taken care of sooner rather than later. 

It does not get better on it's own.  It will continue to get worse over time.  Men struggle with their hernias for years.

The operation is not that difficult.  I saw the doctor on a Monday morning.  He did the operation late that same Monday afternoon.  I went home late that night.

Here are the basics of what you will need:

1.  You will need someone to get you to the hospital and take you home afterwards.  You will not be able to drive.

2.  You will need 3 to 4 days off from work as a minimum.  IF you have a physical job where you are either on your feet or lifting, you will need 2 to 3 weeks off or at least light duty.

3.  You will need some pain medication for the first few days.  I had a pain pump for the first 2 days and I took some ibuprofen the first 4 or 5 days.  You will be prescibed a strong pain relief medication.  I did not need this.  You may.  You do not need to be in pain.  It will be uncomfortable.  But there should not be excessive pain.

4.  You will need a stool softener to have your first few bowel movements in the days after a surgery.  You will be constipated for a few days after.  I had the surgery on Monday and did not have a bowel movement until Thursday.

5.  You will need to rest, sleep, nap and take it easy for days afterward.  I was not able to sleep through the night until the 3rd night afterwards.  I napped during the day.  The more you rest, the faster you will recover.

6.  You will need someone to carry things for you for the first few weeks.  I had to have my kids carry the laundry and the groceries.  Again, no heavy lifting.

7.  You will need to baby yourself for the first month or so.

8.  You will need to avoid lifting anthing over 15 pouunds for the first 3 to 4 weeks.

9.  You will need to understand that the surgery area will look bad for a few weeks.

10. You will need to love yourself enough to go through with the hernia operation and take care of this problem so it does not affect your life anymore than it has already.

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