Doc says it's time to fix a hernia I've had for a few years now. I plan on waiting until after canoeing season. Any tips from similarly afflicted trippers? Does the repaired area cause any lasting impacts to your tripping techniques?
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Happy Scream Day! 😱
Hernia Trippin'
- Thread starter Black_Fly
- Start date
Well it won't get better and a strangulated bowel on a canoe trip is a life threatening problem.
But besides that?
I had a inguinal hernia repaired with mesh in February. My trip that year was in July and everything was fine. You might have some discomfort from scar tissue but nothing major. The only time I notice it now is when I change tires. That must be the most awkward position. I try not to do anything 'stupid' anymore.
We men, it's seems, are all the victims of a poor design...that inguinal canal is an inherent weak point.
I had my repair about 10 years ago, after a month or so, it's like it never happened.
I had my repair about 10 years ago, after a month or so, it's like it never happened.
Once repaired mine were no worries. I have had both sides and an umbilical one The umbilical one was strangulated and was an emergency surgery. That might have been really bad it it had happened in the back country with treatment unavailable. In all cases recovery was complete and fairly fast.
Thanks. The doc said it can wait until after canoe season, so I presume I'm in no danger, although I do have some pain lifting certain ways.
I had hernia surgery with mesh when I was 20 years old. Hurt like heck and I could barely walk for a week but after that it was fine and I was back at work with no weight restrictions. Still going strong today at 45 with no issues.
i I had my first hernia surgery in the early 80's. That was Old School where they just ran a lot of stitches back and forth
across the opening to close it up. Indirect Inguinal Hernia. I had the second in the late 80's (the other side) that was done
as a mesh patch across the opening. It felt a little weird for a few years, Like I could feel the mesh scratching a little.
Then I had a belly button Hernia repair about 10 years ago.
So I just took my first Boundary Waters trip last year at age 74. Entry 16 Moose River north to Lac LaCroix to pocket creek
loop back down through Oyster lake and Lake Agnes and Nina Moose Lake.
It all went fine. I never notice any hernia issues any more.
Larry S
across the opening to close it up. Indirect Inguinal Hernia. I had the second in the late 80's (the other side) that was done
as a mesh patch across the opening. It felt a little weird for a few years, Like I could feel the mesh scratching a little.
Then I had a belly button Hernia repair about 10 years ago.
So I just took my first Boundary Waters trip last year at age 74. Entry 16 Moose River north to Lac LaCroix to pocket creek
loop back down through Oyster lake and Lake Agnes and Nina Moose Lake.
It all went fine. I never notice any hernia issues any more.
Larry S
I just scheduled hernia surgery. In Maryland, there isn't a canoeing off-season, so no reason to put it off. Additionally, it's uncomfortable and occasionally painful, so looking forward to resolution and greatly encouraged by above stories of successful recoveries.
I wondered if picking up canoes had any role in whatever causes hernias. I usually face the canoe as I begin the up flip and end up turning 90 degrees to shoulder the boat. That's got to put some strain on your abdomen. Can anybody trace their hernia to an event that caused it? Mine seemed to come on gradually and was easy to ignore at first. I thought it was just another ache/pain that would go away on its own. It took swelling in the pelvic region for me to conclude that perhaps it was something more than an old-guy ache.
I wondered if picking up canoes had any role in whatever causes hernias. I usually face the canoe as I begin the up flip and end up turning 90 degrees to shoulder the boat. That's got to put some strain on your abdomen. Can anybody trace their hernia to an event that caused it? Mine seemed to come on gradually and was easy to ignore at first. I thought it was just another ache/pain that would go away on its own. It took swelling in the pelvic region for me to conclude that perhaps it was something more than an old-guy ache.
Just curious since I've never known anyone who's had hernia. For those of you that have had it would you mind sharing what brought it about? Is it always due to some sort of heavy lifting/exertion or does it sometimes happen just because?
Alan
Alan
I had an inguinal hernia mesh repaired 25 years ago. I got it installing a commercial oven/range (wicked heavy) in a fancy kitchen. I think it's common though to not know what caused a hernia. My surgeon said if you have a weak spot it will surface eventually. I was very happy to get mine fixed.
I've had a couple for over 20 years. Had an appointment with a surgeon about 15 years ago, but he spelled out some nasty side effects to me, so I chickened out. Got a virtual appointment with a hernia specialist in April, so hoping to get everything fixed up before canoe season. I've always lifted very heavy things all my life, so not sure what caused it. Didn't even know I had one till a doc was doing routine examine and told me. Will be happy to get it fixed, as it is causing a fair amount of discomfort now.
When the doctor told me I had an inguinal hernia, he said let's wait and see, and don't lift anything heavy. Initially, I thought, okay, guess it's time to buy lightweight canoes. Goodbye OT Tripper and Appalachian. Hello Hornbeck, Northstar, or Hemlock. Then Willie told me the backlog time for new canoes is in excess of a year. That took the fun right out of it.
Lifting heavy crap, straining on the toilet can even cause it. Just buy light gear and eat fiber and you may never know what it's like.
My doc said the biggest factor was a predisposition. Anything you do that was a factor was a lesser factor in comparison according to him.
Decades of construction work (concrete/masonry) and I ended up with double hernia. Got it done 5+ years ago in January and a week of discomfort then taking it easy for a month and it's like it never happened. Like others, I have learned not to do the heavy lifting (and moved on from construction work) so i don't cause any more problems.
Well worth the time off and slight pain - my Dad had it done 40 yrs ago and it is far easier and better now with the progress in surgery. In and out in a few hours and on the road to no more pain!
FYI - just bought a Swift Keewaydin 15 @ 29#. Perfect hernia medicine!
Well worth the time off and slight pain - my Dad had it done 40 yrs ago and it is far easier and better now with the progress in surgery. In and out in a few hours and on the road to no more pain!
FYI - just bought a Swift Keewaydin 15 @ 29#. Perfect hernia medicine!
The last canoe trip I took I was pulling a heavy pack out of my canoe and felt sort of a tear. At first it didn't hurt but as the trip progressed it became painful carrying anything and walking up steep inclines. After the trip I had it repaired using the mesh type surgery. The surgery and recovery were fast an virtually painless - I was sore for a day.
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