Surfing Waves

How long after a hernia operation should you wait before surfing ? The Doc says 6 friggin weeks! I think 2 to 3. Have any of you had this procedure and if you have , how long before you paddled out?

The one best qualified to tell you how long to wait is the one who did your surgery.

This is the internet, not a medical facility. Stick to what your doctor says.

Silly and too generalised question. Sorry, there are many types of hernia, so any answer other than talk to your doctor/surgeon is giving a risk , heed their advice .
Tear the hernia and need another repair or strangulate your bowel and you will be worse off!

Thanks for the advice Hoping you all get some waves today.

I completely agree with jaffa1949. depending upon the location of the hernia, the method of incision, size etc, you really need to wait for that to completely heal. you were likely cut through all layers of the abdominal wall, and generally post-injury (surgery) the nervous system down regulates or inhibits muscle activation. so, if jumping right back into the surf, without proper healing time, and without any abdominal wall/core re-training, you're putting yourself at a substantial risk for injury... which could lead to even more time out of the water... which would suck. listen to the doc, let it heal, and discuss with a physio any applicable abdominal wall rehab/activation work post-surgery.

lb50ish wrote:How long after a hernia operation should you wait before surfing ? The Doc says 6 friggin weeks! I think 2 to 3. Have any of you had this procedure and if you have , how long before you paddled out?

I can offer advice on this as i had an inguinal hernia operation. 6 weeks is absolutely right. The issue is not with the hernia tearing again as the repair and the gauze mesh that they will use to repair the torn muscle with is as strong i was told straight after the operation. The issue is with infection and to a lesser degree pain.
I had a 3 inch incision right in my groyne and the thought of getting an infection right next to my vital organs not to mention my gonads was not one i would relish just for the sake of a few weeks off the water. Pluss it was friggin uncomfortable and lying on a surfboard remained uncomfortable for about 6 months. So yeah 6 weeks is definately a sensible time.

KS

Day one , Had surgery this a m not feeling too bad and not in need of the pain meds and checking out the cool surf videos on the web today. Just thought I'd chime in and update some useless info .
Get your slide on Boys and girls.

Heal well but take the time to really let your internal works mend. Reherniation would be a disaster and bigger and more complicated than before and the gauze could do other damage!!

On the mend feeling better day by day. Isnt that a song?

People here only have internet access not a medical degree. 6 weeks off is better than 3 weeks off one week on 10 weeks off because you have doubled the size of the hernia.

Follow their advice they are trying to heal you not ruin your fun.

(source: 2 Drs and one medical student within close family)

I have a medical degree, FIXED but your advice is sound medical problems need the attention of your own practitioner. I think you'll see that all the posts agree on that, in this thread!

Welcome cripplebrick, enjoy the beginning of your surf adventure!