General Discussion Triathlon Talk » Aw crap, when to take care of this? Rss Feed  
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2011-04-21 9:10 PM

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Subject: Aw crap, when to take care of this?
So I had a hip/groin pain a couple of weeks ago and a recurring 'lump' since then. Long story short and a trip to the docs, I have a groin inguinal hernia. Crap.

So who has been through the surgery and how long did it take to get back to trainig?

I'm racing Knoxville in 4 weeks and was on track to get there.
'A' race though is IMWI and I'm about to start the 20 week plan.

Do I try to get it sorted before Knoxville and may have to scrap that race or go for ASAP after Knoxville and cut into my IMWI training time?


2011-04-21 10:13 PM
in reply to: #3459961

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Subject: RE: Aw crap, when to take care of this?

I was a runner only when I had hernia surgery.  I was off of running for about 4-5 weeks.  It was 3 years ago.  i don't remember when I would have felt like biking.

Good luck

2011-04-21 10:34 PM
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Subject: RE: Aw crap, when to take care of this?
About two and a half years ago, I was in the same boat. I was just starting my 20 week HIM plan when I was diagnosed with an inguinal hernia. Initially was told the surgeon wouldn't be able to get to me for six weeks. Went in and told him about my race and he did the surgery three days later. I wanted to get it behind me as soon as possible so I could focus on my training.

The recovery and downtime is for the incision to heal. The hernia repair itself is as strong as it will be right away. They used a mesh to strengthen the area. My recovery was a day or two in bed and on the couch. Than about a week of just light walking around. Following week was like a reverse taper. After that I was pretty much back to normal. I was still cautious for another week or two with no gut busting intervals.
2011-04-21 10:40 PM
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Subject: RE: Aw crap, when to take care of this?
As a runner at the time, when you say off running, were you off all exercise?
I was hoping it was going to be more like 4-5 days not weeks!
2011-04-22 6:10 AM
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Subject: RE: Aw crap, when to take care of this?

If you have the surgery now you can forget Knoxville race. It takes more time than that before you can "exert" yourself. But once you get past the the first month or so you should be back on a pretty normal training schedule.

2011-04-22 6:54 AM
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Subject: RE: Aw crap, when to take care of this?

I had a right inguinal hernia.  I waited a while to go to the doctor because I didn't know what it was.  I never had any pain - just a growing lump.  I was young and stupid and thought it might go away on its own.  By the time it got to be the size of a tennis ball, I went to the doctor fearing a tumor.

I don't know whether my waiting so long made the surgery any worse, but I did not have laproscopic surgery - I had a six inch incision with staples to keep it closed.  It was pretty painful for the first week, to the point that standing up hurt like heck.  I was rollerblading two weeks later and was swimming in a pool after three.  There was still some discomfort at that point, and I wasn't technically cleared to be doing those things - I wasn't supposed to event lift more than 10 pounds (try telling a 19 year old male what he can/can't do).

If I were you, I'd scrap Knoxville, get the surgery now, follow the doctor's instructions to a 'T' and be ready for your IM.  It's pretty hard to do any activity that doesn't involve your stomach muscles.



2011-04-22 8:20 AM
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Subject: RE: Aw crap, when to take care of this?

My experience was 1-2 weeks back to light exercising and 5-6 weeks before I was back 100%. I generally followed the docs advice and didn't push too hard too soon, even though I felt like I could do everything after 2-3 weeks.  

Many hernia's don't have to be fixed right away. Strangulation of the intenstine can ocurr, but if that has not ocurred many people will go months before they have the procedure to repair it. I've known many people who went 6-12 months before they had the repair. Talk to your doc and see if waiting until the fall to have the surgery is OK. Having the surgery now could take at a solid 4 weeks out of your 20 week IM program (or more). Thats 20% of the program.... too much lost training for IM. In my opinion.

 

2011-04-22 8:30 AM
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Subject: RE: Aw crap, when to take care of this?

I had one that I let linger for a while, but when I decided to really get into triathlon in '08 I had it fixed. Of course I had in my mind then that I'd do an IM this season so I was a little more prepared than you to ease back into things.

Anyway, it took me about 4 weeks before I could really exert myself without significant pain, but almost a year before I didn't feel it at all. Doc told me I could do anything I wanted as soon as I could tolerate the discomfort. Discomfort is a relative term, but it was a full week before I could even walk right

 

**note**

I had a full incision and mesh installed

2011-04-22 11:35 AM
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Subject: RE: Aw crap, when to take care of this?
Many thanks to all you guys for replying.

I have an appt with a surgeon on tuesday, I guess I will know more about my options then.
Until then I wanted to get an idea of what other folks went through and appreciate your input on your experiences.

Cheers BTers
2011-04-27 10:14 PM
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Subject: RE: Aw crap, when to take care of this?
Update:
Yup, definately need surgery.
Surgeon can't do it until the week after Rev3 Noxville anyway.

Guess that settles it.
After Knoxville and 4 weeks into the 20 week IM plan it will be a case of 2 weeks off plan and a week ramp back up, acording to the doc, this is the best outlook
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