RETURNING TO MULTI DAY TRIPS AFTER HERNIA OPERATION

Gavw

Gavw

Trail Blazer
Just wondering has anyone had any personal experience with recovery and returning to a fitness level for multi day trips after having an inguinal hernia operation. My past life of lugging 45ah batteries around as a service engineer led me to need an op to resolve a hernia.
Interested to hear of people experiences, currently not feeling like my plan to do the Anglesey coastal path this year is a long way off this
 
Baldy

Baldy

Thru Hiker
Sooo,
That was done last september and it still doesn't feel `right`. I feel very stiff and i'm still on fybogel to keep things moving :bag:
how old are you Gavw?
 
Gavw

Gavw

Trail Blazer
Baldy said:
Sooo,
That was done last september and it still doesn't feel `right`. I feel very stiff and i'm still on fybogel to keep things moving :bag:
how old are you Gavw?
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Yes about a 10cm wound with lots of localised bruising, much the same.I am 56 and up until now have been pretty active, walking up to 10k a day only hindered by the pre- op hernia .
Walking has been a real help as a few years ago had surgery for hydrocephalus, which left me with epilepsy.
Staying positive and hoping for slow and steady recovery.
Thanks for taking the time to reply.
 
Baldy

Baldy

Thru Hiker
Gavw said:
Yes about a 10cm wound with lots of localised bruising, much the same.I am 56 and up until now have been pretty active, walking up to 10k a day only hindered by the pre- op hernia .
Walking has been a real help as a few years ago had surgery for hydrocephalus, which left me with epilepsy.
Staying positive and hoping for slow and steady recovery.
Thanks for taking the time to reply.
Click to expand...
No probs, i've plenty of time now. I've had to retire :frown:.
I'm 10 years older than you and have always done a physical job but that's out of the question now.
To answer your question though, i wouldn't see any problem with a multiday trip as long as YOU felt up to it.
The recovery does take a lot longer than expected though, the paperwork from the hospital said back to work after 2 weeks but that's maybe if you work in an office.
 
Gavw

Gavw

Trail Blazer
Baldy said:
No probs, i've plenty of time now. I've had to retire :frown:.
I'm 10 years older than you and have always done a physical job but that's out of the question now.
To answer your question though, i wouldn't see any problem with a multiday trip as long as YOU felt up to it.
The recovery does take a lot longer than expected though, the paperwork from the hospital said back to work after 2 weeks but that's maybe if you work in an office.
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My fit note from the hospital is for 3 weeks and then see where we’re at.
Best wishes to you 👍
 
cathyjc

cathyjc

Thru Hiker
Have you been massaging the wound - gently ?
I've had more surgery than I care to think about. Only after most of it that a nurse said I should massage/manipulate the wound area gently
- to help prevent scaring and keep the area "supple".

Most of my big surgery was in the groin area - although not involving any of the major muscle groups.
It was usually at least 2 months before I was back on the hill.
Start small and slow and stop if you think you are doing yourself any harm.
We all heal at different rates.

PS. It's easy to get "low" when it feels like nothing is getting better. I found improvements come in fits and starts with times when nothing seemed was happening - it does - you need to just wait.
 
Gavw

Gavw

Trail Blazer
cathyjc said:
Have you been massaging the wound - gently ?
I've had more surgery than I care to think about. Only after most of it that a nurse said I should massage/manipulate the wound area gently
- to help prevent scaring and keep the area "supple".

Most of my big surgery was in the groin area - although not involving any of the major muscle groups.
It was usually at least 2 months before I was back on the hill.
Start small and slow and stop if you think you are doing yourself any harm.
We all heal at different rates.

PS. It's easy to get "low" when it feels like nothing is getting better. I found improvements come in fits and starts with times when nothing seemed was happening - it does - you need to just wait.
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Thank you I will try gentle massage once it’s a little more healed ,and it’s only been four days since my op.
Very wise words of encouragement,much appreciated
 
Diddi

Diddi

Thru Hiker
A work mate had the same op and returned after 2 weeks of the 6 he was advised to take.
We get 6 months paid sick a year..🫤

Neddless to say it didn't heal as it should and he nedded another operation.
He didn't rush back this time..

Build up with day walk with a light pack see how you feel after/day after...
Listen to your body.
 
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Gavw

Gavw

Trail Blazer
Diddi said:
A work mate had the same op and returned after 2 weeks of the 6 he was advised to take.
We get 6 months paid sick a year..🫤

Neddless to say it didn't heal as it should and he nedded another operation.
He didn't rush back this time..

Build up with day walk with a light pack see how you feel after/day after...
Listen to your body.
Click to expand...
Wise words , I’m in no rush to get back to work ,currently only work part time as am semi retired due to epilepsy and it’s associated add ons. I will be taking it very steady that’s for sure
Thanks for taking the time to reply 👍
 
Diddi

Diddi

Thru Hiker
Gavw said:
Hi recovery is going well was off work for Three weeks , but now walking between 8- 10 k a day and just introduced some load carrying into my walking.
However I have had two stitch areas that got infected after the surgery so had to be put on antibiotics other than that I am doing 👍
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Keep your eye on the infection and anything unusual returns get straight back.
 
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Gavw

Gavw

Trail Blazer
Diddi said:
Keep your eye on the infection and anything unusual returns get straight back.
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Just seen your message , been to the docs for a check over and am now on antibiotics and they’ve sent a swab to the lab so a slight set back
 
Nevis

Nevis

Thru Hiker
Aye had one of those, took about six months before back to full fitness and another six months for it to stop feeling tight and achy. 💪
 
Baldy

Baldy

Thru Hiker
Nevis said:
Aye had one of those, took about six months before back to full fitness and another six months for it to stop feeling tight and achy. 💪
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Thanks 👍
I thought it was just me. I had mine last September and it's still tight and sore.
 
Gavw

Gavw

Trail Blazer
Nevis said:
Aye had one of those, took about six months before back to full fitness and another six months for it to stop feeling tight and achy. 💪
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Best wishes to you , hopefully you’ve fully recovered now . I have no tightness and am back walking without issues ,just got to get this infection sorted
 
Nevis

Nevis

Thru Hiker
Baldy said:
Thanks 👍
I thought it was just me. I had mine last September and it's still tight and sore.
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Aye mine was sore for a good while and tight for ages. My mate is a physio and he said keep it moving all the time and it will help with the tightness, but he did also say that it takes a good while to fully heal so don't expect it be be golden in a few months. For a long time i actually thought I had ruptured the hernia again as it was constantly niggling me.
Good luck with yours :thumbsup:
 
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