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Abdominal hernia. What route would you go?

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tommyboy77
tommyboy77

Went to see my PCP on Wednesday and he is pretty sure I have a hernia. He had me strain and said he felt a bulge.

He wants me to give it a month to see if it stabilizes or gets worse. If it doesn't improve, he will refer me to a surgeon.

He also wants me to go easy lifting, nothing more than 5-10 pounds and this is where the conundrum comes in.

I work in the automotive industry (parts supplier) and most days, I'm lifting batteries, rotors, cases of oil, etc, which are well over 10 lbs.

Do I call my PCP and explain the nature of my job keeps me from being light duty and see if he can schedule me with a surgeon? Or do I try my hardest to abide by what he says, severely limiting my capabilities at work for a month?

What would you do?

0 likes, 4 replies

4 Replies

  • julian40
    julian40 tommyboy77

    Posted

    If your employer can't put you on light duties, I would suggest getting a sick note from your doctor and get him to sign you off that's if you can afford to take time off work
  • colin95803
    colin95803 tommyboy77

    Posted

    If it's a hernia it's not likely to improve and, given your job, it's an occupational injury.  I would suggest getting a truss (hernia support) if you're going to carry on working whilst waiting for surgery.  There's sense in not allowing it to develop any further because the smaller they are, the easier they are to fix as a general rule.  Good luck!
    • tommyboy77
      tommyboy77 colin95803

      Posted

      It used to be something that bothered me occasionally, but now it's becoming a nuisance. And at work, I am just dealing with it. I would rather get it taken care of now than have it get worse.
    • tommyboy77
      tommyboy77 colin95803

      Posted

      Got the diagnosis last week of an abdominal hernia AND a new umbilical hernia. Slated to go in to fix them both on the 24th. Will be done laparoscopically.

      The discomfort is pretty much constant and aggravated by any heavy lifting. I had to put ice hockey on the shelf until after the surgeries.

      Doctor really didn't give me an option. CT scan showed both. He is going to use mesh in both since the umbilical is a recurring hernia.

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