hernia

[TexTuba]

Now I'm no doctor, but I would say do what the doctor says. Some people here may say that they've been able to play the following week, but they're not you. I would just leave it be for a while and buzz. Good luck!!

Ralph

[Alex F]

Listen to your doctor. My mother and two of best friends have had this surgery within the last four years. One of the friends is a musician though not brass. Everyone heals at a different rate but it does take some time.

[Tom Holtz]

Listen to your surgeon. TubeNet knows more about tubas than your surgeon. Your surgeon knows more about hernias than TubeNet. Relax, catch up on some listening, have somebody put the horn in the case for you, and move the case out of sight. Get well first!

[ArnoldGottlieb]

Hey Man I hope you're starting to feel better. That being said, I would do whatever my surgeon told me to do. I know there is at least one doctor on this site, but he hasn't chimed in yet. As for what else I would do. I would listen to a lot of CD's, and I would spend some time on this site http://www.good-ear.com/servlet/EarTrainer I had an injury last year that sidelined (and to a certain extent still sidelines) some gigs on bass. If you read my myspace page you can probably figure out the gigs I'm speaking of, and yet as I'm healing, and thinking that I'm almost ready to go play with the 'big boys' again, I have no regrets about taking the extra time off that I did. And, I'm speaking here of not only my passion, but my living as well. You risk losing much more in the long run than you might gain in the short run from playing.
Whatever you do, good luck.
Peace.
ASG

[tubatooter1940]

I had two hernias fixed at once. Some are worse than others. Mine hurt bad. My son came to the hospital to wheel me to the cafeteria. He ran with the wheel chair and me down all the halls. I got to laughing and couldn't stop. Laughing hurts bad too.
Pain and your tolerance to it will dictate your rate of recovery. If you blow from your stomach like you're supposed to, the tension of your stomach muscles will generate unbearable pain at first. You have to learn to cough in a controlled manner or that sudden jerk might pop your stitches. A sneeze presents a real danger and the pain can be memorable.
4-6 weeks may get you back playing unless you're a blatweasel.

[tubajoe]

Disclaimer -- this is only relaying information... I am not suggesting anything. I am not a doctor, nor do I play one on TV.

I ended up with a small inguinal hernia about 5 years ago.

I consulted (informally) a leading surgeon who is also a tuba player. He told me the post-op danger is more in LIFTING the tuba than actually playing it.

(think of AJ's explanation of interior pressure and the "3 uses of the abdominal muscles")

I felt it just a bit after it happened, but was never really in much pain from it. I formally consulted a couple of local surgeons and they said it was not bad enough to warrant emergency surgery and I could get it repaired if I wanted to and/or if it bothered me.

I elected not to have surgery and it does not bother me, and I play a lot and schlep stuff A LOT. (I live in a 4th floor walkup in NYC, constantly moving equipment up and down) Now, I dont even know the tear is there. I cant feel it anymore at all.

Keep in mind too (for those who ever may end up with a hernia) that there are several methods of surgery to repair a inguinal hernia, the old fashioned way by just sewing it up (most invasive/painful/longest recovery time), there is a plug that can be put in it, and there is a laproscopic surgery/mesh method as well. The later two SUPPOSEDLY (according to what I've read) have a much lower recovery time and lower rate of reoccurrance than the old fashioned way. I was however advised that it is a simple surgery and is well within the repertoire of any qualified surgeon.

There are also hernia specialists and hernia clinics that deal only with this situation.


This is JUST INFO.. that I found out. Other experiences may vary. Do your own research. This is not really the place for medical advice (as this bbs is not run by an HMO... haha) but it does relate to tuba playing and was a concern to me when it happened. So far, things have been ok.

[tubalamb]

I had bilateral inguinal hernia surgery about 3 1/2 years ago done laproscopically. I was pretty much bed-ridden for a few days after the operation (I could move, but I didn't really feel like getting up and doing anything).

I remember that I had the surgery on a Tuesday, and I was back playing a gig on Saturday night. Following doc's orders not to carry anything over 15 lbs, I had a colleague carry my horn for me to and from the gig. I do remember feeling quite uncomfortable playing and I honestly wish I took another week off of the instrument to fully heal. (No complications arose, but it was just uncomfortable to play.)

All in all, take it easy and allow yourself time to heal. Your doc probably knows best in this situation, and your body will let you know if something doesn't feel right.

Good luck and get well!

[Jarrod]

I had hernia surgery 2 months ago. Mbrooke must be a real man, because I couldn't walk or stand up straight very well for about 2-3 days. I began buzzing after two weeks, and began practicing after 3 weeks. I could have probably played semi-comfortably after 2 weeks, but I didn't feel comfortable lifting the instrument.

I would say that the main problem with playing before you are ready isn't necessarily the danger of "messing up" the surgery, but rather, playing incorrectly to compensate for the injury. It took me a week or so of playing to feel like I was REALLY taking a full breath, and not protecting that area.

You'll be playing/feeling like normal 5-6 weeks after surgery.