i think i have a hernia!

[razrbak]

I had an "off" feeling in my lower abdomen for a couple of day's and as of yesterday there is a lump/bulge on the lower left side. CRAP! Any of you had this before? I would assume surgery is in order... it doesn't hurt real bad- but is making me very uncomfortable.
... for those who know, do I need to see a Dr. now, Monday, next week...? what's the down time after surgery? work, lifting... this sucks!
Thanks,
Eric

[D]

Hernias suck. I had a sports hernia about 3" right of my belly button last summer. Fortunately for me, it healed on its own and didn't require surgery. However, when I was about 15 my dad had a hernia on his lower right abdomen. He shoveled about 10 tons of river rock with it, so I don't know how serious they really are. lol

[ruffdaddy]

I had an "off" feeling in my lower abdomen for a couple of day's and as of yesterday there is a lump/bulge on the lower left side. CRAP! Any of you had this before? I would assume surgery is in order... it doesn't hurt real bad- but is making me very uncomfortable.
... for those who know, do I need to see a Dr. now, Monday, next week...? what's the down time after surgery? work, lifting... this sucks!
Thanks,
Eric

Just push it back in with your hands, rub some dirt on it and walk it off.

Little secret I learned from my High School football coach. Dirt and walking cure everything. ;)

[Vertnut]

From personal experience, they usually get worse over time. I went about 8 years with one and then had a "blow-out" one morning...not good. I had to have emergency surgery, when day surgery would have fixed me up fine. Have it checked either way. If an intestine punches through like mine did, you won't like it... :o

[whitetrash]

i had the same thing you have a year ago. it will require surgery but its out patient, nothing major.

i didn't have pain until after the surgery.
i had mine for awhile its not an emergency but you need to get it fixed soon

[razrbak]

Thanks... I tried the dirt thing, didn't work this time- funny thing is, I tell my kids that a lot of the time as well.

[razrbak]

Just got back from the doc... surgery scheduled for this Friday afternoon. Sounds like no big deal. A week of complete downtime- maybe some walking, back in the gym around week 2-3 or so for some light lifting... go from there.