Hi everyone - 48 year old male in Colorado. I started having pain in my groin in December after a slip on ice. I thought maybe I just pulled a muscle, but after 3 weeks with no improvement, I went to the doc and learned it was a right side inguinal hernia. What were my symptoms? Heaviness, after a long day of work it ached. And the bulge. Sometimes numbness in the area right next to where my penis attaches to my body. Sometimes pain in the fold of my right leg, where it attaches to my body. Even the occasional zing of pain in my scrotum. 

After my doc referred me to a specialist it was 3 months before I could get a consult. I was scared. I immediately ordered a hernia belt and wore it daily. I was super aware of lifting and my physical activity - basically I stopped being physical for fear of making more damage.

In the mornings I’d wake up fine. In the evenings it hurt after a long day of work combined with gravity taking its toll. Lots of ice packs and heating pads to keep swelling down. I never had problems passing gas or pooping so despite my pain I knew it wasn’t strangulating.

Finally saw a specialist (landed an appt 3 weeks early due to a cancellation) and was scheduled for surgery a month later. It would be laparoscopic with robotic assist, which is said to be least invasive. The doctor never did images because when he asked me to drop my pants he instantly saw the bulge. When I asked if imaging would help give any necessary info to prepare for my case, he said not really. He also examined my naval and felt a small umbilical hernia that he said I was likely born with. So I told him fix it too LOL.

Ok - one month later, it was go time. They got me prepped and away I went to the OR. I honestly don’t even remember falling asleep. The anesthesiologist said I am going to give you some oxygen to make you feel comfortable, I saw him lowering the mask onto my face and my next memory was waking up in recovery.

The procedure was roughly 2 hours. They fixed my “large” right side inguinal hernia and not one, but two small umbilical hernias.

The procedure started around 2:45pm and I was home a little after 7pm, wrapped in an abdominal binder.

They said the more I walk, the faster I’d heal and the more it would help get rid of the gas they use to expand your belly. I was so bloated!

The first night home I walked around my house for 5-10 minutes, every hour on the hour. Back and forth down the hallway. It was boring.

Walking did not hurt, nor did lying down. But it was uncomfortable to go in between, either sitting or standing.

The next day I was sore. It felt like I had done 1,000 sit ups. I walked hourly around the house. It was very hard to sit or stand. But otherwise, not bad.

Day 2 - the soreness was even more.

But I pressed through and kept walking. During these two days I never laid down except to sleep. And I slept on my back on a large wedge pillow. I finally pooped. It was the hardest day.

Day 3 - the soreness reduced a ton. The walking was paying off. The bloating was also much better. 

Day 4 - even more improvement, late in the day I left the house for a small outing (had someone drive me)

Day 5 - i drove and worked a

Full day - carefully, meaning I did not bend, lift or climb … just walking, standing and a little sitting

I am writing this on the evening of Day 5. I never took pain pills or the narcotics they gave me. I used Tylenol, a muscle relaxer, stool softener and fiber to get through. 

I have no pain or soreness left, and no bulge where the hernia used to be, which feels so amazing!! I do feel off and on sensations down there, mainly a tugging feeling - which I am told will be common as the mesh integrates into my abdominal wall. 

My hernia was giving me occasional pain and numbness in my right groin and upper right leg. Not all the time,

but off and on. That seems to all be gone with the repair.

And guys - not to be vivid or dirty, just honest and fully transparent - I was worried about “it” working. On Day 4 … I got myself hard and gently masturbated. By gently I mean slow motion, nothing rough or aggressive. Much to my relief, all systems were a go and it worked as intended haha! 

I searched reddit high and low in the days leading up to my procedure and while I did find good info, a lot of it scared me. So I decided to make this post/thread/group and share my experience - hopefully to help at least one scared guy out there! I wish you well on your journey, you can do it!! Just be patient and take your recovery seriously. I attached a post of pic showing my 3 entry points. A fourth was under the cotton balls they stuffed into my belly button. That site caused the most discomfort when moving during the first 3 days. 

👋Welcome to r/InguinalHerniaRepair … share your experiences