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Hernia
Aug 18, 2009 22:21:01 GMT -5
Post by johnc on Aug 18, 2009 22:21:01 GMT -5
Hey guys,
Been a long time since I posted here, well a few months at least. I have been rehabbing a shoulder injury and trying to find sound advice regarding an Umbilical hernia I developed in the spring. Thought I would seek advice here and see if any of you have dealt with this particular issue.
A little background... I am 42 a lifelong lifter, competitive powerlifter since I was 39. I pride myself on overall fitness as well as competing, walking around at about 190, lifting at 181.
The first doc I went to said I should not worry about it and just use my belt to hold in the hernia... hmmm... I am no doc, but does not sound like a reasonable plan.
Second I consulted several Exercise Physiologists, who recommended substantial amounts of core work and making sure I "set" my abs before each lift, so the pressure from the lift does not push out on the hernia. This strategy seems to work with "exercise" but not necessarily when you are straining with heavy squats and DL...
Talked with a second doc who, while he is not a power lifter, he is a nationally ranked triathlete and understands "extreme" sports and training. He said if it does not hurt it is not something to worry about. When it does hurt, the surgery is outpatient and should be worry free and quick...
Any insight for me? Anyone else dealt with this?
Thanks in advance,
John
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Hernia
Aug 20, 2009 0:10:44 GMT -5
Post by RichHutchison on Aug 20, 2009 0:10:44 GMT -5
I had an Inguinal hernia rather than the Umbilical, so they are obviously 2 different things. But I do have 2 close acquaintances who had umbilical surgery, and our experiences were not very different. Probably less than 30 minutes for the procedures and very rapid recovery times. I had the surgery on a Friday and went to work the following Sunday. That work involved stooping and bending over an average of 900 times in a 5 hour period. Crunches were another matter; stayed away from them for about 6 weeks.
Bottom line is that your condition will never improve without surgery, and it will almost inevitably gradually get worse. The sooner you have it repaired, the easier it will be and the sooner you can forget about the nuisance and discomfort. I waited about 5 years to have mine done, and decided to do it only because I was recovering from rotator cuff surgery and wanted to recoup from both together. But after seeing how easy it was, I wished I had done it sooner.
Nothing like shoving it in, taking a bar off the rack for a hard set of squats, taking a couple steps back, and feeling it pop back out. Even without pain, you have an “Oh S**t” moment and think “I shouldn’t have to be thinking about a hernia right now.”
Oh, and, sorry, but wearing a belt might help hold it in, but I agree with you that it doesn't sound like a good plan. Besides, I never wear a belt. They hurt worse than the hernia did.
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Hernia
Aug 20, 2009 14:56:35 GMT -5
Post by dopar66 on Aug 20, 2009 14:56:35 GMT -5
John, I also have an umbilical hernia, as do/did two of my brothers, a guy I lift with, and a lady that works at and exercises at the same gym as me. One of my brothers had the surgery; not a fit weightlifting type, and had a very short recovery time. I have not had the surgery yet, neither has anyone of the above mentioned, aside from the one brother.
Here's the short and skinny, basically repeated by the doc for each person mentioned above: as long as the hernia doesn't protrude really badly, or as long as it does not become incarcerated (stuck), keep doing what you've been doing. At the end of a set, push the hernia back in with your finger, you'll feel it when it goes. Once this becomes too bothersome, gets too big, or gets stuck, get the surgery. Your recoup time will be less than mine was for the arm, and the docs use kevlar now quite frequently. That stuff will stay put.
Hope this helps.
God BLess.
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Hernia
Aug 23, 2009 20:51:47 GMT -5
Post by estreeter34 on Aug 23, 2009 20:51:47 GMT -5
I am with dopar66. I have an umbilical hernia and my doc. told me not to worry about it until/if it ever becomes a problem. Apparently some people are born with them (my youngest daughter was) and never have any problems. Like the old adage goes, "if it ain't broke, don't fix it", works for me!
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Hernia
Sept 6, 2009 20:29:55 GMT -5
Post by quadancer on Sept 6, 2009 20:29:55 GMT -5
I'd paint eyes and a mouth on it and rock on man!
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Hernia
May 7, 2010 20:39:56 GMT -5
Post by quadancer on May 7, 2010 20:39:56 GMT -5
I may have joked too soon...! Squatting last week I felt a sharp pain about 3" to the right and 2" lower than my bellybutton. Did a couple more reps with more weight and decided that it was a problem. Today I really felt it come back in the ab machine and a little bit doing deads. I dunno what that is; ripped muscle, hernia, whot?
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