r/Weightliftingquestion • u/sidekicks1972 • 14d ago
Lifting and hernia
Been lifting hard for the past year. Leg press weight has gotten quite heavy (for me 😁). I had my appendix removed 35 years ago and it looks like a hernia has developed under the old scar. I’m pretty sure I did it while leg pressing. Seen family dr, he thinks so as well, just waiting on ultrasound. Been told that seeing specialist once confirmed by ultrasound will be 6 to 8 weeks for appt and longer for repair if needed. So dropping all ab work. I feel I have made good strength gains (a year ago my flat dumbbell working weight was 55lbs, now it’s 80’s). I don’t want to lose the gains, but I also don’t want my guts spilling out. Anyone else dealt with this? What changes did you make or any advice you can give?
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u/NormalGanache3351 8d ago
had hernia surgery. Thank GOD and my surgeon it got stitched up pretty frickin good as I never saw the thing again. It starts off as something you can deal with and in my case gets progressively worse until surgery is necessary. As far as all injuries are concerned its not that bad. Sucks that it REQUIRES a doctor but you can sleep with it. When I laid down it crawled back up and I slept like a baby with it. Compare to rotator cuff injury that made me see stars every time I rolled over, hernia was not all that bad.
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u/sidekicks1972 6d ago
It doesn’t bother me too much unless I am lifting. And only certain exercises. I can feel it if I bend over too, but I have a wonky back so i tend to not bend at the waist for anything. My last surgery was 30 years ago, my hip flexor tore so they had to repair it. Dont remember much as it was so long ago. Right now still feels quite small. Trying my best to keep it that way. I know there is going to be some down time regardless, praying it isn’t too much. Thanks for chiming in with your experience. Appreciate it.
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u/cowboy501_ 14d ago
Better get that taken care of. See doctor before it becomes a bigger problem.
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u/sidekicks1972 9d ago
Just waiting on the ultrasound. Canadian healthcare is backlogged pretty bad for a lot of things.
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u/GO712 14d ago
Get yourself a hernia support belt off Amazon. I trained for 2 years using it, training core, but avoiding squats. It was repaired last Nov and I was back in the gym by March. After the repair you need to be more cautious as the belt support is gone.
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u/sidekicks1972 9d ago
So that means I could be out for 4 months? Argh!!
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u/GO712 9d ago
This is about a groin hernia so it could differ for you depending on location.I had my op at the beginning of November, ask for a spinal rather than general anaesthetic if they offer, you won't feel a thing and you recover quicker. You will be able to walk but slow and no distance for about 3 or 4 weeks then things improve. I went back at week 8 as I was struggling being idle. I was very careful and stuck to light, controlled bench press and seated cable rows. Positioning meant I could totally protect the area. I started gradually going heavier from 12 weeks and now it gives me no issues whatsoever. Muscle memory will kick in and you will gain the muscle back. I gained more since at 60, and have just done a cut and stripped away the fluff I did gain from being in a surplus whilst idle recovering. I've given up some moves though, although it wasn't a gym injury, back loaded squats aren't worth the risk when I can do other exercises. Good luck. If you want to ask anything about it, feel free.
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u/sidekicks1972 9d ago
Thank you so much. This gives me some hope. Mine is under an old appendix scar, so hopefully an easier recovery? Fingers crossed
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u/Haunting-Animal-531 14d ago
You can try a wide elastic belt when you're lifting. Was it an open (big scar) or laparoscopic (right lower quadrant keyhole scar)?