Surgery Sucks!

[Paulson]

This past Tuesday I had to have surgery (developed a damn hernia thanks to lifting DJ equipment out of my "not tall enough" trailer)

Anyways, I must say, hernia surgery is definitely an interesting surgery to have. There are two types of hernia repair surgery you can get, and I chose the cheaper route which is basically a single slit, rather than a 3 slit procedure that is supposedly less painful/invasive (having no health insurance sucks as well!)

Anyways, I was up and walking the same day of surgery however having limited mobility and new and interesting ways of feeling pain only makes me appreciate all the things I take for granted everyday (such as normal use of all of my limbs and incredibly healthy body)

I drove for the first time yesterday and am currently in the process of deciding whether or not I want to get out of the house tomorrow and do something or rest up and take it easy for a few more days.

The only somewhat neat part about surgery is the fact that they can slice you open and put you back together with 14 staples.

To those of you who haven't ever had a hernia, don't get one! Use proper lifting techniques, because hernias suck before and after surgery.

 

[StevenYoo]

so...

where's the funny story?

feel better, btw!

 

[Paulson]

Well the funny story was that while I had to be shaved, the nurse apparently didn't check which side the hernia was on (and it wasn't visible at the time) so she started shaving the wrong side... and I just let her continue. When she got done she says "all finished" and I just proceeded to tell her that the hernia was on the right side.

I blamed it on the valium and laughed it off... it was at least an upside to a fairly embarrassing situation. (Although she wasn't being very careful with the razor either, so I guess it served her right)

 

[MX2]

Originally posted by: Paulson
hernias suck before and after surgery.

I quite agree and must concur

 

[Midlander]

Originally posted by: Paulson
Well the funny story was that while I had to be shaved, the nurse apparently didn't check which side the hernia was on (and it wasn't visible at the time) so she started shaving the wrong side... and I just let her continue. When she got done she says "all finished" and I just proceeded to tell her that the hernia was on the right side.

I blamed it on the valium and laughed it off... it was at least an upside to a fairly embarrassing situation. (Although she wasn't being very careful with the razor either, so I guess it served her right)

The worst part of the recovery (after a couple of days) is when the hair grows back. When it's about 1/4 to 1/2 inch long, it pokes through cloth and catches--after a while it hurts. Good luck! :beer:

 

[RGN]

I had a hernia repair about 4 years ago. It wasn't any big deal. Up and walking an hour after the surgery, driving a few days later. No pain meds, just a lot of ice and sleep. The only negative is that when they stitched me up, one of the hair follicles got turned in, to this day it becomes just a touch irritated every couple of months. I feel the repair once in a while after lifting at the gym, but its no biggie.

 

[Paulson]

yeah I haven't been taking any of the pain meds. It's an inconvenience to have to sleep awkward while it's healing.

I had mesh put in (fairly common these days I imagine) and I can feel the stitches pull every once in a while which is a really interesting feeling.

I had no health insurance so it cost me $4000 upfront (just got out of college and hadn't started my own health insurance yet )

 

[Slew Foot]

Were you awake or asleep for the operation?

We sually do then asleep here at the university, but many time sin private practice the patients get a spinal or a nerve block and stay awake during the case.

 

[MX2]

Originally posted by: Paulson
I had no health insurance so it cost me $4000 upfront (just got out of college and hadn't started my own health insurance yet )

Count yourself lucky. Total between the surgeon's cost, anesthesiologist, prescription meds, surgery center time/use etc. ran me just over $10,000.

 

[Paulson]

Slew Foot: I was put under... they didn't give me the option of a spinal tap.

MX2times: That's not the total bill... I had to pay $4000 upfront or they wouldn't do the surgery... I imagine I'll end up paying $4000 more or possibly more than that...

 

[RGN]

When mine was done, I'm thinking it was in the 8K range. I don't remember, I did have insurance and it covered most of it. I think it was about $600 out of pocket.

 

[imported_Tick]

Where was the hernia?