This comment is made 8 years after Justin posted the video, but new patients will be checking out UA-cam videos if they are scheduled to have an inguinal hernia repair, so my comments might help to answer some questions. I had my right-side inguinal hernia repaired 6 days ago. The difference between mine and Justin's was that mine was on the right and I had local anaesthesia. I couldn't have full anaesthesia because of my age (75) and past history of operations (heart bypass, umbilical hernia, left inguinal hernia, bladder resection). It was my first experience of being awake during major surgery, and make no bones about it, hernias do require major surgery on the abdomen. Laparoscopic is an alternative for some patients, but always requires full anaesthesia which made it out of the question for me. Justin is absolutely correct about the degree of pain on recovery. On the day of the procedure it takes several hours for the local anaesthesia to wear off, tricking you into believing that the pain isn't going to be that bad. But on day 2 the pain really kicks in and was excruciating. Pain relief tablets helped, as did laying an ice pack in a cloth wrap over the incision area. But mainly you just have to grit your teeth and manage the pain somehow. I was given codeine with paracetamol (acetaminophen in US), but codeine causes severe constipation, so I only took it for one day. Afterwards I took just paracetamol. Day 2 wasn't much better, but day 3 brought quite an improvement. It still hurt like crazy to get in and out of bed, let alone do some walking which the hospital encourages. The most I Coul achieve was walking around my house. Now however it is day 6 and I removed the dressing. I do feel a lot better with quite a lot less pain. But the pain is still there and probably will be for another week. Let's not forget that I am far older than Justin and when you're in your seventies, wounds don't heal up as quickly as 40 years ago. I'm supposed to wait for four weeks before resuming driving, according to my surgeon, but he said just wait and see how comfortable you feel if you have to brake sharply. Patience, DVDs, books will help you get through the recovery, which in my case is going to take at least 3 months.
Hi, just wanted to say I'm 57, 5 10", about 13st 10lbs, in UK. I got fixed with mesh in an open surgery and consider myself really fortunate to have had fantastic pre- and post- op care. It's Sunday, I was in and out on Friday. I came round from the anaeshetic with no worries at all, was a little numb and that wore off at home - and I walked out carefully after 4 hours. I had one codeine, and possibly a can of cider to go with my treat of a pizza... Had no issues yesterday, except a slightly bruised nutsack on the right, but none of the swelling mentioned. I am walking upright and can get up and down from sitting in about 30 seconds. If I compare the pain and restriction in movement to when I actually gave myself the hernia (running) it's about equivalent to how a felt two weeks afterwards. Pain is minimal, controlled by paracetamol and ibuprofen. Am I exceptional? Doubt it. I'm really lucky that's all - great surgeon, great anaesthetist. Good luck everyone,
Thank you for you videos. You put me at ease about the swelling. I just got my left side done on two days ago. I look like i have a cell phone or two under my skin. I took a stool softener and I'm eating only soup and fruit until i get movement. There is definitely pressure on the intestine. I have a On-Q pain management ball I carry around. It has a numbing agent in it. Itunes a tone into my repair area keeping it numb. They gave me Norco to use after this pain ball I'm wearing runs out.
+m60kaf Hi... I agree with you. Has your swollenness decreased? I had open surgery 5 days ago in order to repair a pretty big left side inguinal hernia which descended to my testicles... after the surgery I had significant swollenness in my scrotum but not anymore, however, I still have some swollenness on my left side lower abdomen which decreases when I lay down, did you experience this? also, I was touching the left side of my lower abdomen and I notice that under the skin I feel some "fatness"... is this the mesh? does this mean that the left side of my abdomen will always be a little bit inflamed? Thank you
After 5 weeks all that has gone down for me. I feel something there occasionally but most of the time it feels fine. I think its just a mix of fluids, air from the operation and the mesh bedding in
Thank you so much for these videos. Hours of googling and stressing over my giant nut! Funny how all the medical staff really seemed to conceal the level of pain I'd be experiencing in the first 3 days. It makes total sense I guess. Imagine the fear of hearing pre operation how you will experience unimaginably large testicular swelling and how a successful bowel movement will overwhelm you with such pride you might name it! These videos are exactly what I'm going through. Can't wait until its over.
Good Info, everything you described i have and was nervous wreck about, had all the sam questions, until i seen your video it put me at ease and am healing just like you mentioned ,seem to be right on track
Hello justin , I had an inguinal hernia repair , I' m on my second week ! Did your Dr. prescribed antibiotics for your recuperation? Thanks , your videos describe what I' m going thru! And it's been hell !
Exactly how I experienced things. I'm only 1 week in and the blue/purple huge testicle thing was my main concern above all else lol, but as you say, it's perfectly normal. The color is also gone now after a week, but the swelling is still there. Pain is much much much less compared to the first couple of days, luckily they provide you with good pain killers. Just be ready to consume laxatives cause you really dont want to sit on the toilet and press out a huge duce.
Hopefully the poster of this video can respond to my inquiry; I do a lot of bicycling, road type cycling. Is this something I can engage in soon after my surgery?
Me too .. I am 2 weeks post inguinal hernia on my left side. The operation went well and after it could feel the healing process taking place nicely. However, being a dynamo, may have overdone things leading up to day 15. I think I aggravated it by too much activity. Last night I went to retrieve a tennis ball from under the bed and bang! .. I felt a sharp pain. Today I have a dull ache there and that lovely healing sensation has gone!!! Oh shit!
good update! My husband has worn the support type pants since day 1, the boxers were just too uncomfortable. Testicle on left was huge but is starting to go down slightly, as you said the main issue he has is the getting in and out of bed- still a struggle. One thing to ask you, were you given DVT stockings to wear? OH has to wear his for 3 weeks.
Hi, No I never got the stockings, i never got any bad swelling in my legs so i didnt bother to get them. I just used pillows under my ankles whilst sleeping to keep my leggs slightly raised. They are supposed to help counter dvt also but i had an injection at the hospital to prevent that. Check out my latest update (part 4).
Do core exercises before doing anything. I waited for one year after the same operation with the mesh to go back to the gym and the bloody hernia came back. Trust me, do Pilates or any core exercises that strengthens the lower abs.
Had the same surgery 5 days ago. If I had it to do over again I never would have had it. Testicles 4 times normal is the worst. I survived spinal surgery in 1995 and this seems worse. Maybe I had the wrong doctor. I'd rather push my guts back in than deal with this. My advice to anyone thinking of getting this surgery is DON'T. You'll be sorry.
cheers for this vlog mate. I'm Day 4 into a open double hernia repair. You're about the only one mentioning the purple/black/swollen balls and foreskin. I have that and it's a bit alarming to say the least. I guess my only worry is the stories about mesh pain forever more. Hope this isn't gonna happen.
Hi Graham, hope you will soon be fully recovered. The first week is quite bad but it soons starts getting better after that. The mesh pain forever more that you say you worry about, for me over 5 years on, only happens if i do my belt up too tight. I should probably do a part 5 about 5 years after op lol!
@@justinalverez577 hey Justin, Thanks so much for replying! Glad you're still out there and more importantly your repair has survived...especially in your line of work. I'm a gardener so similarly lots of lifting equipment, hedge cutting gear etc and I'm bending to clear up all the time so hoping the mesh can handle it without kicking up a fuss! I have dissolvable stitches so praying everything has knitted together before the stitches melt away! Going to the loo for no 2s has been fine with a daily Movicol sachets to counteract the codeine which causes constipation. The difficult bit is sitting on the seat and trying to swivel to wipe! Anyway great vid mate...yeah do another 5 yrs on!
Had double one four days ago nut sake swelled bad an turned real purple pretty rough surgery first three days but im improving alot everyday not sure when returning to work i have to lift alot at work .
Yes pal, its a brutal op that they dont fully tell you about beforehand! The first week is bad but it does start to rapidly improve after that. On the colour, blue/purple is normal brusing colour, if it were bright red that could indicate an infection, and if were black then need urgent medial advice as that could mean blood supply cut. Also if you have to lift heavy stuff you made need 3 months+ before returning to do that. Speak with your surgeon, meanwhile ask for light duties at work if poss if you need to return within 2 to 4 weeks.
Great, informational video of your experience. I found the video informative and helpful. At what point, after your surgery were you able to have sexual intercourse? Thanks, Rick
I'm curious about ejaculating. I've had the procedure done just 4 days ago, but my sex drive is already back and well...I wanna do things. :) But I'm scared of the pain. Any ideas?
Thank you so much for these videos. Hours of googling and stressing over my giant nut! Funny how all the medical staff really seemed to conceal the level of pain I'd be experiencing in the first 3 days. It makes total sense I guess. Imagine the fear of hearing pre operation how you will experience unimaginably large testicular swelling and how a successful bowel movement will overwhelm you with such pride you might name it! These videos are exactly what I'm going through. Can't wait until its over.
This comment is made 8 years after Justin posted the video, but new patients will be checking out UA-cam videos if they are scheduled to have an inguinal hernia repair, so my comments might help to answer some questions. I had my right-side inguinal hernia repaired 6 days ago. The difference between mine and Justin's was that mine was on the right and I had local anaesthesia. I couldn't have full anaesthesia because of my age (75) and past history of operations (heart bypass, umbilical hernia, left inguinal hernia, bladder resection). It was my first experience of being awake during major surgery, and make no bones about it, hernias do require major surgery on the abdomen. Laparoscopic is an alternative for some patients, but always requires full anaesthesia which made it out of the question for me.
Justin is absolutely correct about the degree of pain on recovery. On the day of the procedure it takes several hours for the local anaesthesia to wear off, tricking you into believing that the pain isn't going to be that bad. But on day 2 the pain really kicks in and was excruciating. Pain relief tablets helped, as did laying an ice pack in a cloth wrap over the incision area. But mainly you just have to grit your teeth and manage the pain somehow. I was given codeine with paracetamol (acetaminophen in US), but codeine causes severe constipation, so I only took it for one day. Afterwards I took just paracetamol. Day 2 wasn't much better, but day 3 brought quite an improvement. It still hurt like crazy to get in and out of bed, let alone do some walking which the hospital encourages. The most I Coul achieve was walking around my house.
Now however it is day 6 and I removed the dressing. I do feel a lot better with quite a lot less pain. But the pain is still there and probably will be for another week. Let's not forget that I am far older than Justin and when you're in your seventies, wounds don't heal up as quickly as 40 years ago.
I'm supposed to wait for four weeks before resuming driving, according to my surgeon, but he said just wait and see how comfortable you feel if you have to brake sharply. Patience, DVDs, books will help you get through the recovery, which in my case is going to take at least 3 months.
Hi, just wanted to say I'm 57, 5 10", about 13st 10lbs, in UK. I got fixed with mesh in an open surgery and consider myself really fortunate to have had fantastic pre- and post- op care. It's Sunday, I was in and out on Friday. I came round from the anaeshetic with no worries at all, was a little numb and that wore off at home - and I walked out carefully after 4 hours. I had one codeine, and possibly a can of cider to go with my treat of a pizza... Had no issues yesterday, except a slightly bruised nutsack on the right, but none of the swelling mentioned. I am walking upright and can get up and down from sitting in about 30 seconds. If I compare the pain and restriction in movement to when I actually gave myself the hernia (running) it's about equivalent to how a felt two weeks afterwards. Pain is minimal, controlled by paracetamol and ibuprofen. Am I exceptional? Doubt it. I'm really lucky that's all - great surgeon, great anaesthetist. Good luck everyone,
Hey how is the surgery holding up? Do you still run? I am also a runner and am going to have to get the surgery.
Thank you again for these videos, I am almost at week two and appreciate this info. God Bless friend!
Thank you for you videos. You put me at ease about the swelling. I just got my left side done on two days ago. I look like i have a cell phone or two under my skin. I took a stool softener and I'm eating only soup and fruit until i get movement. There is definitely pressure on the intestine.
I have a On-Q pain management ball I carry around. It has a numbing agent in it. Itunes a tone into my repair area keeping it numb. They gave me Norco to use after this pain ball I'm wearing runs out.
THINGS TO AVOID DURING THE FIRST WEEK OF RECOVERY::anything that makes you fart,laugh, sneeze or cough:
Spot on video of my experience after 2 weeks. Wish the doctor had been more specific than 'you might get a little bit of swelling'
+m60kaf Hi... I agree with you.
Has your swollenness decreased?
I had open surgery 5 days ago in order to repair a pretty big left side inguinal hernia which descended to my testicles... after the surgery I had significant swollenness in my scrotum but not anymore, however, I still have some swollenness on my left side lower abdomen which decreases when I lay down, did you experience this? also, I was touching the left side of my lower abdomen and I notice that under the skin I feel some "fatness"... is this the mesh? does this mean that the left side of my abdomen will always be a little bit inflamed?
Thank you
After 5 weeks all that has gone down for me. I feel something there occasionally but most of the time it feels fine. I think its just a mix of fluids, air from the operation and the mesh bedding in
Thanks for a superb video, on day 3 post opp so great to hear you feel great after 2 weeks :D
Thank you so much for these videos. Hours of googling and stressing over my giant nut!
Funny how all the medical staff really seemed to conceal the level of pain I'd be experiencing in the first 3 days. It makes total sense I guess. Imagine the fear of hearing pre operation how you will experience unimaginably large testicular swelling and how a successful bowel movement will overwhelm you with such pride you might name it!
These videos are exactly what I'm going through. Can't wait until its over.
thanks for the videos mate, puts my mind at rest.
Good Info, everything you described i have and was nervous wreck about, had all the sam questions, until i seen your video it put me at ease and am healing just like you mentioned ,seem to be right on track
Hello justin , I had an inguinal hernia repair , I' m on my second week ! Did your Dr. prescribed antibiotics for your recuperation? Thanks , your videos describe what I' m going thru! And it's been hell !
Exactly how I experienced things. I'm only 1 week in and the blue/purple huge testicle thing was my main concern above all else lol, but as you say, it's perfectly normal. The color is also gone now after a week, but the swelling is still there. Pain is much much much less compared to the first couple of days, luckily they provide you with good pain killers. Just be ready to consume laxatives cause you really dont want to sit on the toilet and press out a huge duce.
Thank U. Still worried, hard not 2B. But i do feel a lil more at ease.
Suspenders help during the first three weeks. I had a time release pain medication (Exparel) that took care of things the first 4 to 5 days.
Hopefully the poster of this video can respond to my inquiry; I do a lot of bicycling, road type cycling. Is this something I can engage in soon after my surgery?
Me too .. I am 2 weeks post inguinal hernia on my left side. The operation went well and after it could feel the healing process taking place nicely. However, being a dynamo, may have overdone things leading up to day 15. I think I aggravated it by too much activity. Last night I went to retrieve a tennis ball from under the bed and bang! .. I felt a sharp pain. Today I have a dull ache there and that lovely healing sensation has gone!!! Oh shit!
Hi Lori, How're you now? I'm on day 20, still can feel little bulge on left side after walking.
good update! My husband has worn the support type pants since day 1, the boxers were just too uncomfortable. Testicle on left was huge but is starting to go down slightly, as you said the main issue he has is the getting in and out of bed- still a struggle. One thing to ask you, were you given DVT stockings to wear? OH has to wear his for 3 weeks.
Hi, No I never got the stockings, i never got any bad swelling in my legs so i didnt bother to get them. I just used pillows under my ankles whilst sleeping to keep my leggs slightly raised. They are supposed to help counter dvt also but i had an injection at the hospital to prevent that. Check out my latest update (part 4).
Do core exercises before doing anything. I waited for one year after the same operation with the mesh to go back to the gym and the bloody hernia came back. Trust me, do Pilates or any core exercises that strengthens the lower abs.
Had the same surgery 5 days ago. If I had it to do over again I never would have had it. Testicles 4 times normal is the worst. I survived spinal surgery in 1995 and this seems worse. Maybe I had the wrong doctor. I'd rather push my guts back in than deal with this. My advice to anyone thinking of getting this surgery is DON'T. You'll be sorry.
cheers for this vlog mate. I'm Day 4 into a open double hernia repair. You're about the only one mentioning the purple/black/swollen balls and foreskin. I have that and it's a bit alarming to say the least. I guess my only worry is the stories about mesh pain forever more. Hope this isn't gonna happen.
Hi Graham, hope you will soon be fully recovered. The first week is quite bad but it soons starts getting better after that. The mesh pain forever more that you say you worry about, for me over 5 years on, only happens if i do my belt up too tight. I should probably do a part 5 about 5 years after op lol!
@@justinalverez577 hey Justin, Thanks so much for replying! Glad you're still out there and more importantly your repair has survived...especially in your line of work. I'm a gardener so similarly lots of lifting equipment, hedge cutting gear etc and I'm bending to clear up all the time so hoping the mesh can handle it without kicking up a fuss! I have dissolvable stitches so praying everything has knitted together before the stitches melt away! Going to the loo for no 2s has been fine with a daily Movicol sachets to counteract the codeine which causes constipation. The difficult bit is sitting on the seat and trying to swivel to wipe! Anyway great vid mate...yeah do another 5 yrs on!
Had double one four days ago nut sake swelled bad an turned real purple pretty rough surgery first three days but im improving alot everyday not sure when returning to work i have to lift alot at work .
Yes pal, its a brutal op that they dont fully tell you about beforehand! The first week is bad but it does start to rapidly improve after that. On the colour, blue/purple is normal brusing colour, if it were bright red that could indicate an infection, and if were black then need urgent medial advice as that could mean blood supply cut. Also if you have to lift heavy stuff you made need 3 months+ before returning to do that. Speak with your surgeon, meanwhile ask for light duties at work if poss if you need to return within 2 to 4 weeks.
The pain with my surgery was minimal. I only took Ibuprofen for pain management.
bro ive had the exact same surgery as you, im two weeks 15days into recovery
with out beeing gross my mount arthur went purple colour, but nothing affected the function
Great, informational video of your experience. I found the video informative and helpful. At what point, after your surgery were you able to have sexual intercourse? Thanks, Rick
I'm curious about ejaculating. I've had the procedure done just 4 days ago, but my sex drive is already back and well...I wanna do things. :) But I'm scared of the pain. Any ideas?
Thank you so much for these videos. Hours of googling and stressing over my giant nut!
Funny how all the medical staff really seemed to conceal the level of pain I'd be experiencing in the first 3 days. It makes total sense I guess. Imagine the fear of hearing pre operation how you will experience unimaginably large testicular swelling and how a successful bowel movement will overwhelm you with such pride you might name it!
These videos are exactly what I'm going through. Can't wait until its over.