Fellers, any hernia input appreciated.

[crappiedoc]

Shoer, the "pocketing" caused by hernia's can and will lead to intestinal stasis. This is bits of stuff stuck in the areas that are protruding, it'll cause the swelling(inflamation) and blackness(necrosis) both of which continue to deteriorate your condition. The swelling can be a sign of infection(not always) and will change the flora of intestinal bacteria, this isn't good as you age. MD's are all different, with the VA running 1st in cost control. GO GET A DR THAT WILL MAKE YOU COMFORTABLE, sure there's gonna be some out of pocket expenses, but the alternative sucks. Also, you need to work on the things that caused it, coughing and weight control. As we age these muscles naturally "shrink" or "thin" from a variety of reasons, which you've probably already heard time and again. Walk, walk, walk its very beneficial.

[Opie1]

I found I had a regular hernia Christmas morning 1999. I was standing nekked in front of the fireplace warming the buns and saw a big bulge on the right side (not that bulge). I coughed like they made you do while the doc felt you up in a high school physical and the damn thing blew up like a small balloon.
Went to the doc that week and was all stitched up the first week of January. Have a nice 3' scar down there now and they put a polypropylene mesh in there too.
I hear nowadays they do the repair with an arthroscope so they don't cut so much muscle and the recovery is much quicker.
Get it fixed.

[Code357]

Shoer

I am on the mend from an inguinal hernia surgery on the left side. It has been no fun but it did have to be taken care of. I know this is not the same but the results of putting off the surgery are the same and in some instances that can lead to gangreen. Be careful and take care of yourself.

[Fatman]

Just get it done it's not worth the pain and agony. I had a double hernia when I was younger and at my last VA check I have the start of an upper Hianal hernia. Just have the surgery and heal up.