Road Cycling - So I have a hernia.... :(

Dunno how I got it, but I did. Luckily the doctor says I'm ok for moderate riding until surgery day. Kinda bummed though, since the season is winding down. I've been paying my road dues on my MTB while getting the money together for a road bike. I really enjoy road riding and am very much looking forward to the proper machine. I'm just bummed I got a hernia, because I can't really push myself for a couple weeks.

Well, good luck with all that. I seriously hope all goes well. Don't be tempted to wreck your back any more by riding.

Let us know how things go.

Take care,

Koffee

nm

i just google'd it and it was pretty bad.
i remeber a Friends episode where Joey had one and it wasnt as bad as those pics on Google.

:o it's just a lump in the groin area, just above the hip socket. Taking a pic would be...um...not family friendly. :eek: Supposedly it isn't a serious one and will patch up quickly. That is my sincere hope.

Ok, got it.

Given enough time to heal off the bike, I think you should be fine. If you're looking for some kind of physical fitness, see a physical therapist, and ask for recommendations for any water sports. That may do the trick for you until you're feeling healed.

Good luck! Keep us informed on how you're doing!

Koffee

Brings back bad memories. When my eldest son was barely 14 months old the wee man had to go in for double hernia surgery. One hour after we got back, he was climbing on the furniture - which the doctor said would be fine! Watching him made my eyes water (and yes, I cried like a baby when they took him away to the OR). You'll be fine in a short space of time - just rest it though, you don't need to break the membrane again.

thanks for the info, folks. I'll keep you posted.

My cousin had one. His was pretty bad though. I've heard that they have a new procedure where a person isn't out for as long. I've never had one, and don't want to get one. Good luck.

:o it's just a lump in the groin area, just above the hip socket. Taking a pic would be...um...not family friendly. :eek: Supposedly it isn't a serious one and will patch up quickly. That is my sincere hope.

I was back to full range of motion within 4 days from having my hernia repaired...stiff and swollen (they pump gas in there and that takes a while to, wel, ummm, release...otherwise...no problem. They fix them with a mesh and you couldn't tear it open again if you wanted to...if you doctor isn't patching it with the mesh retainer, find another doc...and unless your doctor indicates that there is another issue, you should be able to have laporoscopic surgery, which means you are literally walking, a little bent over, out of the hospital with just a couple tiny stitches to deal with...if any.

You will be actually riding stronger within a month...because you won't have to sweat the old hernia.

The first day after surgery ain't fun...but move as much as possible and your recovery will be much faster.

Good luck.

Z

Had a hernia repair 3 months ago. I missed 2 1/2 weeks of hockey. Road stationary bike within a week. Defininately pain for a couple of days but you'll be back in commission within 2 weeks.
good luck

Dunno how I got it, but I did. Luckily the doctor says I'm ok for moderate riding until surgery day. Kinda bummed though, since the season is winding down. I've been paying my road dues on my MTB while getting the money together for a road bike. I really enjoy road riding and am very much looking forward to the proper machine. I'm just bummed I got a hernia, because I can't really push myself for a couple weeks.

Oh yeah, and you didn't "get it" at all. 95% of hernias of that type are just the result of genetics...it happens.

I had a hernia repair on May 28th. I was off the bike for 7 days. The Dr. told me it was OK to resume riding - I would know how far and how agressive a ride I could handle - if it was too much I would feel the pain. There was NO problems resuming riding. I had lost conditioning, however and it took me about a month to get my conditioning back to stay up with my Saturday group on 50+ mile rides.

Mine was a laparoscope procedure and performed as an outpatient.

Wish you well.

Well, I can relate on a couple of levels. I, like MacMan's kid, was born with a double hernia, which was repaired at 5. And not unlike said kid, I was jumping on the bed as soon as I got home from the hospital.

Well, about 2 years ago, I got another, low in the groin, roughly the size of a golf ball. It wasn't bad to live with, unless I had to be on my feet for hours & hours, like working a trade show. Then I'd be taking Advil like it was candy. Feh. Also, had to wear "tighty-whities" for "support." Sorry if this is too much information.

Surprisingly, cycling didn't affect the hernia, nor did the hernia affect my cycling.

So, in an attempt to reduce my OTC med intake, and quiet my wife's not-so-gentle prodding to get it fixed, I did. Much better now. Mine has the mesh that's a kevlar deriviative. So I can take a bullet to the crotch, as long as it's in one specific area.

There's another method, I believe, without the mesh, that they fix with multiple smaller incisions...mine is one 50mm-wide cut.

Think of it this way...if it's the one big cut like I had, it's sort of like a male version of a C-section, offset, and a tad narrower...but it goes through a key muscle area, so it's gonna be tender for a while.

Anyway, a college buddy had a hernia and his repaired. He offered sage advice, which I will pass on to you good folks:

"For God's sake, take it easy afterwards, and listen to the doc. I was a dumbass and went back to work the next day...the durn thing came back. The drugs will make you feel like you're better than you really are...that's what they're supposed to do, but don't listen to them. Ride the sofa or La-Z-Boy, but fer cryin' out loud, lay low."

My doc said it'd take 2-6 weeks to fully recover...I went closer to the latter, and am glad I did. I don't want to go through that again anytime soon. The doc told my wife during the procedure it was a pretty bad one.

Anyway, I had mine done at the end of April...things are fine now. Some occasional ouchies, but it's mostly at the incision point, as if nerve endings are coming back to life. The doc said I'd "know I had something done down there for a while."

Strangely enough, when I brought this up during a group ride at a break point, it turned out almost 80% of the group either currently has a hernia or has had one fixed. Weird. We're almost all ~40. But it was something no one ever mentioned...like it was something taboo, of which no one may speak...

Good luck with the procedure, and take it easy afterwards. Oh yeah, frozen peas in a bag will be your friend, too.

Ahh the old frozen peas in a bag! FWIW, I'm 34.

Dude, that sucks. Earlier this year I had a triple hernia surgery (one inguinal, one epigastral and one umbilical) that managed to get screwed up and mess me up permanently. I've got a John Wayne limp now.
You take a chance every time you go under the knife, but I wouldn't get worried, were I you. You'll be undergoing the most performed minor surgery on men there is. Just enjoy the meds and the pretty nurses.

Cole