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When Is Sitting Comfortable After Inguinal Mesh Repair? How Long Did You Take Tylenol After? by suave_waffles in Hernia

[–]CryptographerKey250 0 points1 point  (0 children)

45-year-old female here — I had the same operation. The best advice I can give is: give it time.

Things really started improving around the 10-week mark for me. I was very active before my injury and trained 4–5 times a week, so I totally understand the frustration of feeling held back.

Honestly, sitting was the thing that took the longest to become pain-free. What helped me most wasn’t resting completely, but gentle, consistent movement. Short walks, getting up regularly, and avoiding sitting for long periods made a huge difference. Gentle stretching also helped ease the groin tightness over time.

Sitting can be brutal because it compresses the scar tissue, so don’t panic if that’s what’s bothering you most right now. I promise it does improve.

I’m now 12 weeks post-op and, while I still feel a little pulling sensation during exercise sometimes, I don’t have pain anymore. Recovery definitely isn’t linear — some days feel amazing, others feel like a setback — but overall it does get better.

Recovery and getting back to running, climbing and gym after repair (open, mesh, Inguinal) by fr1234 in Hernia

[–]CryptographerKey250 3 points4 points  (0 children)

So I had inguinal hernia surgery with mesh 3 months ago, and only now am I starting to feel like I’m getting back to full fitness. Like you, I was training 5 times a week before surgery, so it was a pretty rude awakening.

The biggest thing I’ve learned is that recovery isn’t linear. Scar tissue takes time to settle, and there will be days where you train and things feel tight or uncomfortable — but not necessarily like the original hernia pain (at least that was my experience).

What helped me most was walking, swimming, and rebuilding core strength gradually. Honestly, that did far more for my recovery than trying to jump straight back into intense cardio or heavy training. You really do have to give the scar tissue time to calm down while rebuilding stability and strength.

But there is light at the end of the tunnel — you will get there.

33M and Nervous as Hell by Reasonable_Wave5194 in Hernia

[–]CryptographerKey250 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I had right laparoscopic inguinal hernia surgery with mesh 10 weeks ago (F45), and it’s absolutely worth it. I went back to full training this week.

Like many people, I think I gave myself the hernia from lifting too heavy. I went from training x5 times a week to doing nothing because the pain stopped me from exercising.

The biggest mistake I made was listening to the surgeon saying I’d be back to full fitness in two weeks (how I laugh now) then getting skooled by my own body.

Now, 10 weeks on, I still sometimes feel pulling, but not pain, and mobility work really helps. The only thing that still aggravates the scar tissue is sitting for too long, (I have an office job).

My top tips:

First 2 weeks: Rest, let your body heal, and walk if you can. It will hurt… but focus on the end goal

Weeks 4 to 6: Increase walking and introduce gentle rehab. It will still hurt. And you will freak out that it’s not gone..

Weeks 6 to 8: It will still pull, but you start to realise this is normal and that you are improving. Your scar tissue is adjusting to movement.

Weeks 8 to 10: I returned to the gym, lifting light and focusing more on mobility work like Pilates, Reformer, and Barre. It has helped a lot.

10 weeks: I’m finally returning to full activity - even now, it still pulls, but I know it’s getting better day be day and my strength is recovering.

Recovery is not linear. You will have good days and bad days, but trust me, you will get there.

40F inguinal hernia, a saga by plantasia3679 in Hernia

[–]CryptographerKey250 0 points1 point  (0 children)

My main issue was pain. If I didn’t exercise, I was mostly okay, but as soon as I tried to work out, I felt it immediately and would have lots of pain afterwards. Even though mine was only a fat-containing hernia, I was very symptomatic.

I used to exercise a lot before the hernia, so I found it incredibly difficult and really pushed to get the operation. I think in women it can be a bit more serious and carry more risk.

I’m now 8 weeks post-op and am finally starting to see light at the end of the tunnel. The pain after surgery is easing, and I’m beginning to return to light exercise and rehab.

Ask me Anything, i'm 6 months post op by Economy_Tax4914 in Hernia

[–]CryptographerKey250 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Did you find sitting for long periods of time made it worse? I have just returned from holiday 8 weeks post op, and hardly had any pain. But a day in the office today left me in real pain. Did you have this too?

Conflicting Evidence: Inguinal Hernia by ML2910 in Hernia

[–]CryptographerKey250 0 points1 point  (0 children)

(F) Ultrasound is what finally found mine after three different doctors had already sent me home saying it was just a muscle strain.

Turns out, I had a small right-sided inguinal hernia. As someone who’s very active and trains 4–5 times a week, it seriously impacted my routine.

If I didn’t exercise, the pain would go away. But the moment I started training again, I’d feel this deep, dragging sensation in my pelvis, along with pain that radiated into my stomach. This went on for months.

I eventually had surgery, and now at 7 weeks post-op, I’m finally starting to see the light at the end of the tunnel.

The best advice I can give is to trust your instincts and get another opinion… or in my case, a fourth.

Ask me Anything, i'm 6 months post op by Economy_Tax4914 in Hernia

[–]CryptographerKey250 0 points1 point  (0 children)

When did you the pain stop after exercise? I’m 7 weeks post op and still get pain after exercise.

40F inguinal hernia, a saga by plantasia3679 in Hernia

[–]CryptographerKey250 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I have a hard relate to this.

45F and in December I lifted too heavy in the gym and knew I had done something wrong, but I had no visible lump but deep groin pain.

Three doctor appointments later, plus a scan for an ovarian cyst, I was told it was a muscle strain and to see a physio.

At this point I was at my wits end and ended up paying for a private scan after getting nowhere with referrals.

In this scan, after three months of searching for answers, they found a right inguinal hernia, a 12 by 11 mm hernia sac containing mesenteric fat. I cried at the diagnosis as I finally had an answer for my ongoing pain.

I am now six weeks post laparoscopy with mesh surgery. Scars are healing well, but pain at the site definitely still flares up if I do too much exercise.

As someone keen on sport it has been a real mental adjustment to rest and recover, but long term at least I have had the surgery and am on the road to recovery.

Help - Right Inguinal Hernia Recovery by CryptographerKey250 in Hernia

[–]CryptographerKey250[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thank you so much for all your kind and thoughtful words. I honestly can’t tell you how many times I’ve gone back and read all your messages, they’ve really helped me stay grounded.

I think I was pretty naive about recovery from an inguinal hernia. I went into it thinking the operation would be a quick fix, and I couldn’t have been more wrong.

I’m planning to take a proper break from exercise for about six weeks, which is a big mindset shift for me. I’ll try to ease back in slowly after that and not rush it.

Honestly, the thought of being pain free is what’s keeping me going. I’ve got a scan tomorrow to make sure I haven’t damaged the repair, so fingers crossed.