Question:
I was told today I have an incisional hernia..9 months out..I am so afraid to lift

anything...What did the rest of you do..Do you simply really baby yourself until surgery..was told dr. wont do it until I am 18 months post op. I am scared.    — Kathy S. (posted on June 30, 2004)

June 30, 2004
I had surgery for an incisional hernia on 6/11. Everything has gone okay and I went back to work (desk) on 6/19. You shouldnt lift anything over 10 lbs. I continued to exercize on the treadmill, stair climber and cross trainer, but I stopped the weight training. They wanted me to wait until Dec 2004 to have it repaired with hopes I would lose more weight. I platued and I began to feel kind of miserable lots of gas and swelling in my tummy I decided to have the surgery done by a BTC surgeon and it was done on a out patient basis. I have lost 8 -10 lbs and feel so much better also about 2 inches in my stomach---the repair was huge. Best of luck to you
   — debmi

June 30, 2004
I have 2 of them when I started work I got a hernia belt all it was was a wide peice of elastic with velcro on it and wraped it around me thight and was still able to breathe it kept the hernias tucked in so i did not have a problem with lifting things at work and I had heavy things to lift Take Care Huggs Beth
   — wildbrat

July 1, 2004
In this situation is is best to go only on your surgeon's advice. All incisional hernias are not created equal. The actual location, physical shape and size and whether or not it is in an area that can become strangulated or incarcerated are all factors. The method of repair varies too. Please, take your surgeon's advice and stick to it. Good luck to you! Jackie O.
   — Jackie O.

July 1, 2004
Jackie's absolutely right--this will vary depending on the person, the location, the size, etc. I have a small incisional hernia in my belly button that will be repaired during my tummy tuck two weeks from today (yikes!). I wouldn't even know it's there, and I do not have to limit my activities at all because of it. I exercise (including stomach crunches), lift, walk, stretch, with no problems. Yours may be that simple, may not. Follow what your surgeon says is right for you. And, relax. A hernia is not usually a serious problem.
   — Vespa R.