severe , persistant scrotal swelling after inguinal hernia surgery

I had a right side laproscopic inguinal hernia repair 8 days ago. I'm 65 years old very active and eat a ketogenic diet, lots of fat very few carbs. I attribute this as well as very little abdomal fat to my relatively painless experience. I think I got my hernia doing free solo rock climbing about 3 months ago. It got to the point that is was painful to hike and especially on the descent.

Anyway, the surgery took about a half hour from start to when I woke up in recovery. Then I went home about 45 minutes later. I felt pretty good and about 2 hours later went for a walk for about 10 minutes. I iced the lower abdomin 3 times the first day and about the same the second. The 2nd day I upped my walk to a mile (slowly). The whole time my right testical was painful and needed support of a jock. The 3rd day I showered and noticed the base of my penis and right side scrotum dark purple. This concerned me as I had not been told anything about this. I was curious if I would have a normal or bloody discharge so I did a test and everything was normal, thankfully.

Day 2 was actually the most painful and the 1 mile walk did help a lot. I have not taken any pain meds or even aspirin since the general from surgery wore off. I'd prefer to monitor the pain and healing without the mask of pain killers. I have broken many bones in the past during years of motorcycle racing and have developed a high pain tolerance. Day 3 was much better and at times there was no hint of pain at all. I changed my bed sheets, helped wife with housework, did some shopping and ran some errands.

Day 4 I went back to work for about 7 hours wrenching. Day 5 and 6 I worked full shifts and then in the yard a bit. Day 7 I did a rated "most difficult" 2 mile steep mountain hike. Day 8 today, I found some testicular swelling and pain to be expected and perfectly normal and it gets better every day. My biggest concern now is is keloid or scar tissue the may be forming inside the largest incision just to the right of my navel. It feels like a semi hard small walnut sized lump maybe 1/4 under the skin. I will ask my doc when I see him for followup in 3 days.

I had a double open inguinal hernia repair with mesh two weeks ago to the minute, as I write this.  I'm writing because I'm doing fine.  I realize that we are more inclined to write about problems, but I think I need to strike some balance.  I had trouble peeing and they were about to catheterize me.  With the tech on the way, I proudly produced 120 cc!  The nurse told me if I didn't produce more by 8 am--I was discharged "same day" around 1:30 am--I would have to go to the ER and get a cath.  Thankfully, I managed to do so.  HINT: get a video on your phone of the rain in the Smoky Mts and let her rip.  Also, rather than stick the giant calibrated pitcher between my legs, I placed a small plastic cup.  That helped too.

I stopped the pain meds after 36 hrs; they were putting me in a trance and the incision pain wasn't bad.  HINT:  eat lots of fiber and drink lots of water.  By doing so, I avoided the dreaded constipation.

The second day, I noticed three blue rings around my penis.  The third day my penis was blue and swollen.  Everything hurt so bad down there, I couldn't examine my scrotum, but I saw in the mirror that it was swollen and blue too.  This lasted a few days.  2 wks later, it is nearly all gone.  

For several days, my appetite was weird.  I normally eat shredded wheat, frozen blueberries (thawed first), wheat germ, sliced almonds, and walnuts for breakfast with whole grassfed organic milk.  I couldn't bring myself to eat this in the morning, only at night, so I did, as this was a lot of the fiber I was after.  Without much appetite, I ate cranberries and sliced turkey from Whole Foods (with no additives) for lunch with arugula.  For dinner, I ate mostly oily fish and kale chard.  But the biggest difference is that, after the pain meds, I had no taste for my nightly glass of wine or beer.  In two weeks, I've had maybe three beers and no wine and still can't develop a taste for either.  I drank lots of water for the first 3 days, then transitioned to water and my normal drink, coffee.  I ate lots of fruit incl overripe bananas (more fiber), apples and oranges, but no juice.

Went to work today and had to sit in an all-day meeting.  First time I had anything on besides my boxers.  Very unpleasant at times.  I didn't wear a belt and couldn't hook my pants above the zipper.  HINT: zip to the top and make sure the zipper locks in the down position.  I couldn't tuck in my shirt, so I wore a tie and an untucked white shirt.  The problem here is that the waistband's normal position is on the incision. That's a no go.  If I drop it below the incision, my pants don't stay up, as I don't have much in the way of hips.  Above, the incision is fine except that the crotch of the undies and pants then pressures the bottom of the scrotum.  That's a no go.  I joked that I would get a dr's note letting me wear just boxers to work the rest of the week.  Wish I could.

I was nervous about nerve entrapment and complications in the testes and scrotum, but I seem ok there.  After about one week, I could get up from lying on the couch and feel little and now no pain.  Sitting for more than an hr produces some burning pain in the incision and general discomfort in the scrotum, but both go away as soon as I lie down.  Big time fatigue after my first day back--similar to my first days back in the office after the prostatectomy.

As for me, I am 64 with a BMI of about 22.  I had to have open repairs due to a prostatectomy 13.5 yrs ago.  Otherwise, I've been healthy.  Don't know if it matters, but I eat right (see book, Big Fat Surprise), and made sure I ate lots of tuna and wild salmon in the first days after the surgery.  One hernia had been asymptomatic for several yrs, but the bigger one, which thankfully went in whenever I laid down, popped up 4 wks before the surgery after a poop following a long bike ride.  This new, much larger hernia left me queasy half of the time and sometimes I had to double over to get relief from the pain.  It really sucked.

I am fairly weak so the dr's restriction of 20 lbs I've reduced to 10 lbs.  Doc says to stay within this weight restriction for 6 wks; I intend to do so for 12 wks because I've read some big time healing is still taking place from 6 to 12 wks.

So that's my story so far.  Hernia repairs carry risks, but, so far, things have turned out ok for me, and I want others to read my story to help them put all of this in some sort of perspective.  I wish all of you speedy and full recoveries.  And if I ever find this website again, I'll provide another update in another couple of weeks or so. 

I'm now 25 days since bilateral laparoscopic hernia surgery, this is my up date to prior post. 1St three days was painful lots of inflammatory meds and liquids. Stay in bed make sure to wear a jock strap to support the scrotum. All the extra weight from the fluids that build up in the scrotum and the swelling of the testicals will be pulling on all the work the surgeon just did. Both sides of the upper part of the scrotum where the Spermatic tubes are is very tender and swollen. If you don't it will be very painful to move around and will prolong your healing time. Eat a lot of fiber and plenty of liquids, make sure to take your time when going #2 don't push at all, if it doesn't happen naturally try again later. Make sure to look for blood in your urine and stool. Keep your doctor informed if you see blood. A very small amount during urination is acceptable but not a full stream of blood. The beginning of week two, scrotum swelling going down, penis and groin area brusing changing daily. New bruising still popping up and others changing or going away. Pain level is way down starting to get around at a normal pace now. The worst pain is in the lower groin and incision area when getting up and down out of bed. Forgot to mention don't ride in the car, you will feel every little stone on the road and will upset the healing process. If you have to make sure to hold a pillow over your stomach to suppress the jiggle in your belly. Day 12 I went back to work, had to drive with pants undone no belt. I'm in sales and do a lot of in and out of my chair. About three o'clock I was worn out. Third week about 90% back to normal,still wearing my support and taking anti inflammatories, all bruising is gone except for the scrotum. Spermatic cord or tubes are still a little sore and when moving from a sitting position I feel like the tin man like I'm a little rusty. Left testicle is a little bigger than the right but getting better. Remember take it easy don't push yourself. Give yourself time to heal. Hope my experience helps you in your recovery.

Followup: A week and a half after repair, I went to the doc. He said "business as usual, no restrictions". I do heavy work for an old guy, stretching, lifting heavy items in awkward positions and lots of straining. So, now after about a month, I feel great, the walnut sized lump near my largest incision is now marble sized. At the 2 week point I did a very demanding 10 hour hike, this was very steep and required lots of climbing through cliff bands on the descent. It kicked my butt, happy to say no hernia or recovery related issues. I also eat very well, no processed foods, no sugar, very low carb, high fat. ( read Sugar Blues, Fat Chance, Big Fat Surprise).

Do you know what Ayurvedic pills he gave you? I would really appreciate it.

I had laparoscopic inguinal hernia surgery three days ago. I regret doing it. The pain is much worse than before. I should have left the hernia alone and just worn a truss.

My reaction is a severe depression unlike any I have ever known. I have decided to self-terminate. (It's okay. Fifty years on this f'd up planet is more than enough.)

If your hernia is not too painful, DO NOT DO this surgery.

That's quite a bit of drama for having a surgery that's going to change your life for the better. Just read all the other posts so you'll know what to expect. Give it another two weeks and you'll be fine. Your every day routine will be so much better not having to worry about weather or not you can lift something or move around that limits you because of your hernia. You'll feel 20 yrs younger because you'll have your body back. Take your meds, wear a jock strap to keep your scrotum supported, limit your movements for the first week, plenty of liquids, 2nd week try to get around more the pain gets less and less each day. Hand in there and let us know how you're doing.

Why are there absolutely no answers to these questions on the site? what am I missing? I obviously have the same problem and am extremely concerned.

This has been a great thread. I agree with the other posts that the biggest problem is the Doctors really need to give a little more warning about possible post surgery side effects. I had my open surgery 4 weeks ago. My right testicle was 3 times it's normal size for 3 weeks. The swelling is starting to go down, but slowly. My doctor did not warn me about that kind of swelling, nor did he prescribe any anti inflammatory medicine. I've been taking Serrapeptase and that seems to be helping. You can find it at health food stores. Also just read about laying down and putting a towel under your scrotum to elevate your sack. This supposedly will help the blood/fluids absorb back and up into your body. Good luck everyone.

Same here...and same problems

All that you say is accurate, l just (6 days ago) had my second inguinal surgery in 6 years. The recovery is quite painful, the swelling and discoloration of my scrotum, but the end result is freedom to lift, run and all else that is normal. The frozen peas bag is as good as any sophisticated ice machine, just try to limit painkiller usage if at all possible.
Luckily my first doctor made me aware that ( they're going to turn black!) , the second should have also. It still hurts but each day is better and better.

I am experiencing the same problem with swelling of the penis and scrotum. I tried the cold compresses and elevation. It seems to help but my situation is not as severe as the ones mention. I do think that something should be mentioned and detailed in the post op instructions to prevent panic and undo stress. I would like to hear from the people who posted as to their ultimate outcomes.

I also had a double hernia surgery and my left side is 3 to 4 times the size of the right. It's painful and has been going on for over 4 months. I can not seem to get the Doc to call me back. I'm concerned, thinking bout suing!

my skin on my penisis covering the head of my penjis and spongy like a balood what can i do from 

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I just had a laproscopic mesh repair. No pain at incision site, did not take pain meds after surgery. Scrotum is severely enlarged, very painful and scrorum is tender to the touch. Seems like some solid matter in the scrotum. Also feeling pressure pain throughout right lower abdomen. Able to walk, and has bowel movements.contacted the surgeon, says its fluid build up, had an ultrasound, they said there is no intestine l in the scrotum but the pain and pressure of the weight of this mostrous scrotum is hard to bare. I have shooting pains where the mesh would be. Getting a second opinion. Has been more than a week since the surgery.