47F 3 weeks out from surgery
I scoured this subreddit for months leading up to my surgery and found some posts to be super helpful, so I thought I'd post my experience. I had a left inguinal hernia that was visible from the outside as well as a right femoral hernia and a tiny umbilical hernia that were all laparoscopic, robotic assisted repair. The umbilical hernia was repaired with a small suture while the other two were mesh.
My biggest source of pain post surgery was the leftover gas which quite honestly was more of an issue than I had anticipated. My surgery was late in the day, so the first day I just ate dinner and then went to bed. I used prescribed pain meds for the first 3 nights at bedtime and Tylenol for a few other instances of discomfort.
The day following surgery I took miralax and a stool softener every morning and I started walking as much as I could throughout the day. I'd walk and then ice - rinse and repeat. I mostly walked indoors at first on a walking pad or a treadmill at a very slow pace.
By the the 4th day, I was walking outside for a mile at a time. I really think the walking helped SO much. Today I jogged for the first time and felt zero pain. I'm at the point where I'm itching to be back at the gym but I am following instructions and waiting for the all clear at my six week appointment.
I teach and I had the surgery over spring break while also taking off the following week. I think I would have been fine going back after a week, but I was thankful for the extra time.
This was my first surgery and I was nervous after reading so many horror stories. However, I am SO thankful I went through with the repairs and I am hopeful that in 3 weeks I will be back to status quo and back in the gym. Feel free to ask me any questions!