 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: LJBraaten
Date: 2012-02-20 17:07
I have (single direct inguinal) hernia surgery scheduled for tomorrow (Tuesday) morning (mesh patch). Since I am physically fit, healthy, and have a history of fast recovery for minor procedures, I assumed I would be playing again immediately. Now I'm beginning to have my doubts. How likely is it that I would be able to:
1 practice Tuesday night (surgery is that morning)
2 partcipate in band rehearsal Thursday night
3 play in a concert Saturday night?
At least part of my concern is whether or not I need to notify my band director my band director that I might not make the rehearsal the (concert?).
Laurie
Laurie (he/him)
Post Edited (2012-02-20 17:25)
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Author: Joseph Brenner, Jr.
Date: 2012-02-20 17:38
Talk to your surgeon. Tell him or her your questions and follow his or her advice...rigorously!
I had a one-sided inguinal hernia repair in 1991; it was traditional open field surgery by knife. Beforehand, my surgeon told me not to lift anything greater than 5 pounds after the operation and not to drive before my post-discharge examination. I had all manner of odd sensations in my abdomen for over a week after surgery--due, I'm sure to nerve misfiring that was caused by cutting and manipulation. Even without lifting anything, I thought I had re-herniated!
Granted, the type of surgery you're about to have is much less traumatic, but when you play your instrument, you will exert downward pressure on your abdomen as you breathe. Don't do anything to screw things up!
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Author: LJBraaten
Date: 2012-02-20 18:07
yikes! Never assume. I took your advice and I'm waiting for a call back from my surgeon. I just googled it, and found the topic discussed on a sax forum a few times. One guy managed to play saturday after monday surgery (triple hernia), pain meds and a less resistance mouthpiece.
@#$&!!!!!
Laurie
Laurie (he/him)
Post Edited (2012-02-20 18:40)
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Author: LJBraaten
Date: 2012-02-20 18:38
Whew! Surgeon said it's not going to do any damage. It's "just" a matter of pain toleratiion (or how much pain meds I can take and still play . So I'll gather up my least resistant mouthpieces and reeds and give it my best shot.
Laurie
Laurie (he/him)
Post Edited (2012-02-20 18:38)
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Author: Wes
Date: 2012-02-20 22:01
Playing the same day as the surgery seems optimistic and not a good idea, as you will need to rest. I've had two of these mesh surgerys in Torrance, CA. The first found me playing the oboe well three days later.
In the second operation (insurance bill about $30,000), my heartbeat became irregular after the anesthesia wore off and they kept me in the hospital overnight for observation and no sleep. The heartbeat stabilized after four hours but the incessant interruptions by blood takers, survey takers, nurses, several doctors, and janitors made the hospital stay a nightmare. Nevertheless, I played my clarinet well a week later. Good luck, as it should be a simple operation taking about 20 minutes.
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Author: genekeyes ★2017
Date: 2012-02-21 04:09
I had this surgery 2 years ago. You may not feel too bad the night of the surgery........DO NOT TRY TO PLAY....the anesthetic used in the surgery is still working. As the anesthetic wears off the pain will be severe. By the next day you will probably need some heavy duty pain meds. I used the heavy duty stuff for 2 days after surgery. The hardest day for me was the second day post surgery. Your surgeon will probably tell you not drive or do much of anything until your first post surgical check....about a week after surgery. My surgeon told me at that time that all was going well but to let pain be my guide..........if it causes severe pain.... don't do it. I did not even attempt to play until the end of the second week after surgery and even at that time it was difficult and I could only play for short periods. Everybody heals in their own good time. While this is fairly common surgery, it's not that minor....don't be in too much of a hurry...give your body some time to heal...it will need it.
Good Luck and a speedy recovery!
Post Edited (2012-02-21 04:12)
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Author: sdr
Date: 2012-02-21 14:12
I would suggest you ask your surgeon again AFTER the surgery. Depending upon introperative findings and management, he/she may change their answer. I had bilateral simutaneouls inguinal hernia repairs by an external approach and was instructed to forego driving and horn blowing for 6wks -- which, being a "good" patient, I did. I have lived happily ever after (hernially speaking). Regrettably, the procedure did not improve my tone, tonguing speed, or manual dexterity. Your mileage may vary.
-sdr
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Author: Bob Bernardo
Date: 2012-02-22 01:59
Ouch! I think I'd be a big time wimp on this one and not play for a few weeks or whatever the doc thinks.
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Author: alto gether
Date: 2012-02-22 06:22
I have no idea how soon it's a good idea to play. I will suggest that if it's more than a few days, pick up your horn anyway and do finger and embouchure exercises. Not much of a silver lining, but maybe you could choose some ridiculously difficult passage and learn to finger it without being distracted by all that blowing stuff.
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Author: LJBraaten
Date: 2012-02-25 05:32
Here's my progress (so far):
Surgery Tuesday morning (mesh on inguinal direct hernia through lower abdomen). I was very tempted to practice, but did not feel it was safe to play since the local anesthesia , Ibuprofen, and vicodin masked all pain. Walked a lot around the house.
Wednesday, practiced about 40 minutes with a free blowing setup (B45, backun Barrel, and size 3 reed). My worst day for pain, the local wore off.
Thursday, the big test. I felt much better, so discontinued the Vicodin. Walked around the house and town, did mild stretchingmo during the morning, then walked a mile in the afternoon. I practiced about an hour with free blowing set up, went to two hour band rehearsal, felt practically as good as new. I even drove the 50 miles home afterward, relieving my tired wife of her chauffeuring responsibilities. ![[happy]](http://test.woodwind.org/clarinet/BBoard/smileys/smiley12.gif)
Friday, sat around most of the morning working on the computer, stretching then in the afternoon did some choirs and walked two miles, practiced a little over an hour, back to my 5 RV and traditional setup (stock barrel, 3.5 reed), which are less prone to squeak on some of the pieces we're playing. No pain!
Tomorrow (Saturday) I am confident I can practice a few minutes in the morning and play in the 2 hour concert that night.
Edit: Saturday morning I practiced nearly two hours then went on a three mile walk. Played the concert that night without a problem (except 10 minutes before that I noticed my "concert reed" developed a chip, but that's another story). I also started cutting back the Ibuprofen, skipped my lunch dose so I'm down from 1800 to 1200 mg. Will see if I can cut it down to 600 soon.
YMMV. The doctor specifically said that with *my type of procedure* I could not cause any damage to the site by playing, but pain would be a concern. I attribute the low pain levels to the hernia specific exercises I did the few weeks before surgery. I also changed the way I sit, walk, twist, get out of bed, out of the car, etc. so I was also pain free the few weeks before surgery. I also made sure I followed recommendations to move frequently during the first few days. Of course the Ibuprofen and my high pain tolerance also help.
Laurie
Laurie (he/him)
Post Edited (2012-02-27 04:52)
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Author: CarlT
Date: 2012-02-25 13:39
Laurie, I had essentially the same operation as you about 25 years ago, and I know for a fact that I would NOT have wanted to play the instrument for at least a week following the surgery.
I suppose 25 years makes a difference in the procedure though, so more power to you. Glad you're doing well, and happy playing.
CarlT
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Author: DavidBlumberg
Date: 2012-02-25 14:36
I was uploading to youtube sightreading the band version of Firebird on SmartMusic the day after I came home from a Quadruple Heart Bypass 8 days earlier (not keyhole either, the full open monty).
Doc said I couldn't do any damage, so I went for the burn..... was hard getting a good breath, and my right hand was numb from the IV.
The wii boxing I did afterwards was a bit more risky.
Must have been the effects of the anesthesia
http://www.SkypeClarinetLessons.com
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Author: LJBraaten
Date: 2012-02-27 04:50
Wow David, that surgery is much more invasive, don't know how you did it.
Carl, there have been many changes in the past 25 years, but even in the past several years with the identical procedure many others reported a much slower recovery, and more pain. I attribute a lot of my experience to the exercises before surgery, but some of it may be chance. I would hope for similar results if I ever had to have the same procedure on the other side, but I wouldn't take it for granted.
I updated my last post about Saturday's playing, which went well.
Laurie
Laurie (he/him)
Post Edited (2012-02-27 16:49)
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