herniotomy

I had a groin hernia repair on 30th Dec. Keyhole. I am still in discomfort mainly due, I think, to there being quite a swelling still in the groin. I have been told by 2 nurses that this is normal. My entry wounds are healing well and I am eating well too. I still feel tired sometimes and somethings feel very heavy to lift. Small things I mean.

Give yourself time to recover and get plenty of rest. Drink at least a litre each day of water to ensure you do not have bowel problems.

gemini - yes it hurts - i had an incisional hernia repaired 17 months ago, i still have numbness in the area- aparently my mum has has a lump but kept it quiet untill now!! she told me on monday that she was going to see the dr about her blood pressure and would mention the lump to him!! i panicked and thought cancer - but she showed me the lump - looks like a grapefruit sized umbilical hernia (told me not to metntion it to dad - i defo expected poss cancer) turns out the problem was there when i had my surgery but she did not like to mention it untill i recovered! and has left it till now!! looking at the size of it, it will need surgery (i am so p'd off she never mentioned it sooner) my dad does not do medical and will go to 'the railway' when surgery is done - i feel a bit bad as my mum was there for me when i had surgery and took care of me for 2 weeks - i on the other hand work fulltime and cant be there 24/7 - my dad will keep a low profile.. last time she had surgery i was living at home and was able to do shopping and cooking and housework - i dont mind going round a couple of evenings - but not t sure i can move in for 6 weeks!!

but i will need to be there for her - she was for me!

she would have told me before christmas - but i ended up in casualty with RUQ pain follwing a cold and chest infection - with pain that i thought was due to problems with my op site - turned out to be refferd pain from a cracked rib due to coughing!

i am worried for her .

vixen I am so sorry to hear this. When I had my navel hernia done In 1997 I had put up with the lump for years but suddenly realised it had changed. It too was the size of a grapefruit but had suddenly hardened. I do remember being in pain afterwards and thought it was a much worse op than my hysterectomy. She is going to need some looking after but I am sure she understands that things are different and you have to work. Maybe your Dad will soften and help her. Just being there for her when you can will be good for her. Could you make up some meals to put in the freezer for them - shepherds pie, casseroles etc that you could do in bulk? Just a phone call at the end of your day will be good for her. Pop a little card in the post now and then to tell her you are thinking of her. The housework can wait. Remind your Dad that things will need to be within reach. A small table at the side of her chair with a drink, the phone, magazines and TV remote etc. A lapquilt to keep her legs warm. She won't want you to worry. Most Mum's don't expect their children to do for them what they do for their children. Just knowing that you remember will be enough. Try not to worry.

My husband is having to look after me, our two young grandchildren who live with us and we have been without out our washing machine for nearly 3 weeks and it won't be mended til next week. Hell. I am feeling much better but the swollen lump left in my groin is uncomfortable. I tried to put something in my grandaughter's dance bag last night and the pain in my groin was horrific. We all have to allow our bodies to heal but it is so frustating. I can't remember having a lump after my navel op. Maybe it's just a groin hernia thing.

Things will be ok Vixen, you can only do so much in a day. Hope your Mum gets sorted out soon.

thanks gemini, just feeling a bit sorry for myself last night

it will be ok - i just need to make sure she gets more support from my dad this time round as i am no longer there. i think she sent him away when i was 19/20 as the 2 ops she had were gynae and like most men is not good with yucky womens medicine!!

the thing is my mum is an ex nurse and obviously worried now - she has had signs of the problem for 18 months but done nothing - she would have mentioned it to her Dr last week when she had an appointment booked for a blood pressure check but had to cancel as she could not get the car out of the drive .. it is not like my mum to mention somthing to me before she has seen a dr.

No need to be sorry Vixen. I posted a reply earlier today but it seems not to be showing. Will be thinking of you and your Mum tomorrow. Try not to worry.

My hubbie and I had a 48 hour shivery, achely, nausea bug but feel better now. It was all we needed. My recovery is otherwise going well. I still have a swelling in the groin but the pain is much easier and I can eat better than I have for months. Don't know why.

I keep reading on the gallstone site about sufferers worried about the op because of the scars. I am amazed that they put with pain rather than have scars. I look like a chequered board but scars are so faint they are hardly noticeable. I am an OAP and not likely to wear a bikini but surgery is so advanced these days these young people need not worry.

seen my mum today and she went to the dr on thursday and is now thinking about surgery and will let them know in due course! if she does not go with surgery they will keep an eye on things and advise her if they are they think she needs its it - she is in no pain at the moment - when i had my inscisional hernia i could not even empty the kitchen bin without pain and dizzyness!! she sees the dr monthly with her blood pressure so will keep an eye on the hernia as well - they also think she has an throid problems so i think she will wait and see if this is the case and she looses a bit of wieght if this needs treating before deciding on surgery.

i can see your point with scarring i had an open gallbladder op and still have a very prominant 6 inch scar that was extended with my hernia op - i would rather not wear a bikini again than put up with the pain of repeated attacks!

i am glad you are recovering well and hope your hubby is feeling better soon.

vix