Postponed Hernia Surgery

Annabelle41415
Annabelle41415 Member Posts: 6,742 Member
They could only get me in the middle of July so I've decided to postpone the surgery until fall (nurse says he doesn't know his schedule and they could have never gotten me in within a month). Told the nurse that "I'm a golfer and I'm sure there would be restrictions and told her I know that seems lame, but would rather have it done a couple months later." Figured I've had this hernia for 1 1/2 years now and two more months isn't going to matter. Plus now she wants me to come in and discuss this with the doctor. Just was hoping that talking to him yesterday was good enough. Just hate paying $150 doctor visit for something that we just discussed. What is there really to talk about? Him just telling me that surgery is needed! Got to pay for this $2,500 colonoscopy from yesterday too. Maybe I'll sell one of my kids - just kidding :)

Kim
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Comments

  • steveandnat
    steveandnat Member Posts: 886
    enjoy your golf
    Do what you enjoy! I want to hear about your hole in ones! If it is an emergency the they will find a surgeon. Pray everything works out
  • pete43lost_at_sea
    pete43lost_at_sea Member Posts: 3,900 Member
    don't sell the kid, just rent them out
    I hope you get the hernia fixed, I hate mine, no issues with it.
    Sorry you have to pay so much, we are lucky here, most treatments covered by government.

    Hugs,
    Pete
  • tommycat
    tommycat Member Posts: 790 Member
    Kim, have you maxed out your
    Kim, have you maxed out your insurance? Wow...that's a lot of money.
    Surgery can be scheduled over the phone if you've already met with the doc.
    I can see why if the hernia wasn't causing you any pain how you would want to postpone it until after the golfing season. Doesn't sound lame....it sounds sensible :)
    Might as well have some fun and enjoy the game~
  • idlehunters
    idlehunters Member Posts: 1,787 Member
    tommycat said:

    Kim, have you maxed out your
    Kim, have you maxed out your insurance? Wow...that's a lot of money.
    Surgery can be scheduled over the phone if you've already met with the doc.
    I can see why if the hernia wasn't causing you any pain how you would want to postpone it until after the golfing season. Doesn't sound lame....it sounds sensible :)
    Might as well have some fun and enjoy the game~

    FOUR!!!!!!
    Hey Kim! Dont blame you..... why do today what you can put off until tomorrow??? LOL.... Golf your little heart out.... that hernia aint going no where...thats for sure! Take care

    Jennie
  • abrub
    abrub Member Posts: 2,174 Member
    Putting off the surgery wasn't a problem for me
    I scheduled at my convenience because it wasn't causing any problems. However, please wear support garments while you exercise, play golf or what-have-you. No need to encourage problems. I waited 1 1/2 yeears for my surgery; could have waited longer, but grew tired of knowing that the surgery was inevitable, and wondering at every 6 month visit if the dr was going to tell me that I suddenly needed it. Thus, I planned it on my schedule, when I felt it would interfere with my life the least. I'm glad I took control, and got it over with.

    Sheering you on,
    Alice
  • geotina
    geotina Member Posts: 2,111 Member
    Golf:
    Enjoy golfing and camping this summer. Don't you just hate the co-pays. I know I do. Ours is now $8,000 before insurance pays 100%. Used to be $7,000 then $7,500 now it is $8,000. Sometimes I think it would be better to be on welfare where your co-pay/deductible is $0. You work so hard then it all disappears so fast. Oh well, that's life I guess, could be worse.

    Take care - Tina
  • Annabelle41415
    Annabelle41415 Member Posts: 6,742 Member
    tommycat said:

    Kim, have you maxed out your
    Kim, have you maxed out your insurance? Wow...that's a lot of money.
    Surgery can be scheduled over the phone if you've already met with the doc.
    I can see why if the hernia wasn't causing you any pain how you would want to postpone it until after the golfing season. Doesn't sound lame....it sounds sensible :)
    Might as well have some fun and enjoy the game~

    Insurance
    My deductible is $5,000 so I've got to pay the first $5,000 before my insurance will even begin to start covering things. Last year it was $7,000, but my husband is no on Medicare so it went down to $5,000. Hernia is causing me problems and it hurts, but don't want to ruin my summer by being so restricted. Not eating is the only way that the hernia feels better, but can't live like that but it's been 1 1/2 years so I'm ok with waiting. Yup, I'll enjoy the golf :)

    Kim
  • lauragb
    lauragb Member Posts: 370 Member
    Insurance co-pays and
    Insurance co-pays and deductibles are definitely out of hand. But I consider it good news that you want to wait for your surgery so you can have fun and do something that you enjoy.
    I'm all for having fun when possible.
    Laura
  • tootsie1
    tootsie1 Member Posts: 5,044 Member
    Hi
    I just pray that you will be able to hang on that long and feel okay.

    *hugs*
    Gail
  • Annabelle41415
    Annabelle41415 Member Posts: 6,742 Member
    tootsie1 said:

    Hi
    I just pray that you will be able to hang on that long and feel okay.

    *hugs*
    Gail

    I'm not sure
    I'm so uncomfortable and I'm really not sure that waiting is the best option. I'm going to try and hold out until fall. Like I've said, I'm fine when not eating it's just that it gets stuck there and then it gets bigger and bigger until it moves down further in the colon. Sometimes even massaging it doesn't even help. I'm taking the Mirlax again daily and hopefully that will help me feel better.

    Kim
  • Nana b
    Nana b Member Posts: 3,030 Member

    I'm not sure
    I'm so uncomfortable and I'm really not sure that waiting is the best option. I'm going to try and hold out until fall. Like I've said, I'm fine when not eating it's just that it gets stuck there and then it gets bigger and bigger until it moves down further in the colon. Sometimes even massaging it doesn't even help. I'm taking the Mirlax again daily and hopefully that will help me feel better.

    Kim

    I have one too, also waiting
    I have one too, also waiting until fall to get it fixed but mine does not hurt like yours. Keep in mind that you don't want you intestines to knot up that could be dangerous and one good swing good land you in the ER. My surgeon said it could wait my hernia wan't that big, so just be sure you know if it's dangerous to wait or not. A tangled intestine is fatal at times, not to scare you but be aware!

    Take Care my hernia and colon buddy..
  • herdizziness
    herdizziness Member Posts: 3,624 Member
    Kim
    I've golfed, I think it's called mini-golf? The windmill and clowns mouth thingie. I'm terrible at it!!! My daughter is a golfer, (at least she has adult sized golf clubs and a bag that they get carried around in, and informs me she likes golfing, so I'm assuming it makes her a golfer). So I have to admit, I don't quite feel the passion, but I understand THE Passion for golfing, my brother moved to a home that was on a golf course in order to be closer to the game. Will be crossing fingers and toes that your hernia lasts out for you so you can play, you've got to do what you enjoy most. Will be thinking of you out there on the green and hoping you get to enjoy the whole season.
    Winter Marie
  • Annabelle41415
    Annabelle41415 Member Posts: 6,742 Member

    Kim
    I've golfed, I think it's called mini-golf? The windmill and clowns mouth thingie. I'm terrible at it!!! My daughter is a golfer, (at least she has adult sized golf clubs and a bag that they get carried around in, and informs me she likes golfing, so I'm assuming it makes her a golfer). So I have to admit, I don't quite feel the passion, but I understand THE Passion for golfing, my brother moved to a home that was on a golf course in order to be closer to the game. Will be crossing fingers and toes that your hernia lasts out for you so you can play, you've got to do what you enjoy most. Will be thinking of you out there on the green and hoping you get to enjoy the whole season.
    Winter Marie

    Thanks
    I'm a terrible golfer but enjoy getting out there. My husband drives the cart and I'll walk most of the course. Don't play often but don't want to recoup all summer long.

    Kim
  • Annabelle41415
    Annabelle41415 Member Posts: 6,742 Member
    Nana b said:

    I have one too, also waiting
    I have one too, also waiting until fall to get it fixed but mine does not hurt like yours. Keep in mind that you don't want you intestines to knot up that could be dangerous and one good swing good land you in the ER. My surgeon said it could wait my hernia wan't that big, so just be sure you know if it's dangerous to wait or not. A tangled intestine is fatal at times, not to scare you but be aware!

    Take Care my hernia and colon buddy..

    Waiting
    I'd left a message to the nurse about waiting on the surgery and the reason was because of golfing and timing and said to her unless the doctor wanted me to have it now, I'd just as soon wait and told her to get back to me if it was urgent and she never called back. Maybe I'll call her again just to make sure and thanks for the tip. Mine is about the size of a softball so that's pretty big except when laying down you'd never know it's even there - weird.

    Kim
  • abrub
    abrub Member Posts: 2,174 Member

    Thanks
    I'm a terrible golfer but enjoy getting out there. My husband drives the cart and I'll walk most of the course. Don't play often but don't want to recoup all summer long.

    Kim

    The advantage to recovering during the summer
    is that you can walk and get out and about, even tho you can't do all your favorite activities. My surgery was June 21 (2010) so I was out of commission until Labor Day, when I finally could kayak and get back on my bike. However, I could go for lots of walks. Beats being cooped up in the winter.

    However, you need to work it to your needs and preferences, as I did.
  • Holdtight
    Holdtight Member Posts: 151
    abrub said:

    The advantage to recovering during the summer
    is that you can walk and get out and about, even tho you can't do all your favorite activities. My surgery was June 21 (2010) so I was out of commission until Labor Day, when I finally could kayak and get back on my bike. However, I could go for lots of walks. Beats being cooped up in the winter.

    However, you need to work it to your needs and preferences, as I did.

    Hi!
    I have an abdominal hernia that sticks out like an egg
    And pulsates at times especially if
    I eat to fast. I go to the gym frequently.
    I didn't know it could cause problems in the
    Intestines I've been doing crutches trying to
    Push it back in Dah HELLO am I asking
    For problems. I have an appt with my
    General surgeon in June so I just might need
    To call him before. Thanks for letting me know
    This -
  • John23
    John23 Member Posts: 2,122 Member
    Kim -
    Kim -

    I had been advised after my last surgery to get fitted for a
    hernia belt. I have two hernias, one on each side of where
    my navel once was, that appear to need some sort of a bra
    around a 40-D size (seriously, they really are that large!).

    I never bought one, since I have two stomas on my right
    side, and it would require a specially made hernia belt ($$$$$).
    (I have so much junk hanging on that side, that I hate the thought
    of more. I'm already two sizes larger than my actual waist size)

    But a hernia belt would greatly help keep the hernia at the size
    it presently is, and greatly help keep the intestines from getting
    stuck in that #$%^&* thing, avoiding an obstruction!

    http://nu-hope.com/beltlit.pdf

    Hernia Belts

    Most all insurance covers hernia belts with a prescription,
    and many cover it 100% as "durable equipment". It'd be
    worthwhile to look into it, since it'd be so much easier than
    a surgical procedure that usually leaves behind more hernias
    and adhesions..... Just sayin'....

    Happier days with better health!

    John
  • abrub
    abrub Member Posts: 2,174 Member
    Holdtight said:

    Hi!
    I have an abdominal hernia that sticks out like an egg
    And pulsates at times especially if
    I eat to fast. I go to the gym frequently.
    I didn't know it could cause problems in the
    Intestines I've been doing crutches trying to
    Push it back in Dah HELLO am I asking
    For problems. I have an appt with my
    General surgeon in June so I just might need
    To call him before. Thanks for letting me know
    This -

    Wear a support to hold your hernia in place
    when exercising - you can get a belly binder in most drug stores. You don't want to stress the hernia. I used a binder or girdle for support for the 1 1/2 years before I had my hernia surgery, and I was fine. However, check with a dr - my hernia was small, and my surgeon didn't feel there was a risk of strangulation.
  • Annabelle41415
    Annabelle41415 Member Posts: 6,742 Member
    John23 said:

    Kim -
    Kim -

    I had been advised after my last surgery to get fitted for a
    hernia belt. I have two hernias, one on each side of where
    my navel once was, that appear to need some sort of a bra
    around a 40-D size (seriously, they really are that large!).

    I never bought one, since I have two stomas on my right
    side, and it would require a specially made hernia belt ($$$$$).
    (I have so much junk hanging on that side, that I hate the thought
    of more. I'm already two sizes larger than my actual waist size)

    But a hernia belt would greatly help keep the hernia at the size
    it presently is, and greatly help keep the intestines from getting
    stuck in that #$%^&* thing, avoiding an obstruction!

    http://nu-hope.com/beltlit.pdf

    Hernia Belts

    Most all insurance covers hernia belts with a prescription,
    and many cover it 100% as "durable equipment". It'd be
    worthwhile to look into it, since it'd be so much easier than
    a surgical procedure that usually leaves behind more hernias
    and adhesions..... Just sayin'....

    Happier days with better health!

    John

    Insurance
    John why wouldn't you get a hernia belt to help you if most insurance covers 100%. But gotta tell you 40 D has to give some people some question or gotta love your lower half (just loving you from here my friend). Golfed today and that just told me that just can't do that without surgery and yes, I'm always wearing a girdle. It does help but after eating just hate the feeling of the hernia and everything collecting there. Even got a hernia underwear which almost made me turn blue, and that didn't even help after eating. Guess no golf, no eating, can't pick up no grandkids anymore and that one really hurts, no laundry basket, no sex (just kidding), but seems like I'm having a hard time doing anything. I'm going to wait until fall but only because I've got to get blood tests for both CT and hernia surgery and I'm charged $500 for the blood work and I'll have to get that done before either test/surgery so I'll get one blood test and have both done. Thanks everyone for your input. You are all so helpful in so many ways. :)

    Kim
  • Holdtight
    Holdtight Member Posts: 151

    Insurance
    John why wouldn't you get a hernia belt to help you if most insurance covers 100%. But gotta tell you 40 D has to give some people some question or gotta love your lower half (just loving you from here my friend). Golfed today and that just told me that just can't do that without surgery and yes, I'm always wearing a girdle. It does help but after eating just hate the feeling of the hernia and everything collecting there. Even got a hernia underwear which almost made me turn blue, and that didn't even help after eating. Guess no golf, no eating, can't pick up no grandkids anymore and that one really hurts, no laundry basket, no sex (just kidding), but seems like I'm having a hard time doing anything. I'm going to wait until fall but only because I've got to get blood tests for both CT and hernia surgery and I'm charged $500 for the blood work and I'll have to get that done before either test/surgery so I'll get one blood test and have both done. Thanks everyone for your input. You are all so helpful in so many ways. :)

    Kim

    Hi again!
    Kim how big is yours and does a belt help to
    Stop it from growing? Thanks for your help!