Inguinal Hernia Surgery, Unsure if Normal Recovery? 11 weeks post op.
So I’m not sure if I’m crazy or this is normal recovery this far in. I’m an incredibly active individual, and am a body builder.
I’m 11 weeks post op on a left inguinal hernia that was done laparoscopically and repair with mesh.
My recovery started great. On day 13 post op, surgeon cleared me to go back to the gym. I went for two weeks, 6 times total very lightly, doing only 180 crunches in those six visits. Felt it was too early, so decided to wait. I was genuinely feeling 100% though, and had to keep reminding myself I had surgery and to take it easy.
Around week six while on a vacation I started to feel irritation and a little puffiness where the former hernia was.
Week 7, I tried going back to gym, very lightly. Doing 90lb leg press compared to my 315 squats, 60lb deadlifts compared to my normal 315, and 115lb bench compared to my normal 180-225lb. I felt sharp stabbing pains where the hernia was, and decided to stop. I tried walking around the block and felt the sharp pains as well.
Added in ice, and cut back on activity. Persistent puffiness and sensitivity remained. Typically it’s positional/situational pain (sitting, rotational movement, sex). This lasted for two weeks, so I messaged my surgeon. No callback, so I followed up.
Finally getting in to see him, he noticed swelling, had me do a cough test. He told me it was most likely a “shear tear” and not a recurrence. That I’d be good to go back to gym slowly but to add in core stretches and start slowly.
It’s been about 2 days, but I’m still having puffiness where the hernia was, and some positional/situational pain (although it’s now more a dull ache/sometimes a jolt). I just did some stretches for the first time today and that irritated it as well.
I was feeling better on week for, than I am today on week 11 post op. I’m not sure if this is normal, or if I’m crazy? I really need to get back into the gym, but am terrified of a recurrence, or damage. The puffinesses also worries me because it’s so isolated to the spot of the former hernia.
I have some anxiety (clearly) regarding this, so any advice you can lend me, or insight on your experience at this point would be appreciated. I just keep thinking “what if the doctor is wrong, and this is recurred?” Even though he didn’t seem worried, and I’m inclined to trust him, based on the fact that he’s one of the leading general surgeons in the world.
Thank you.