Umbilical hernia

Discussion in 'Driver Health' started by 4eagles, Feb 14, 2009.

  1. 4eagles

    4eagles Light Load Member

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    For the last 6-8 years my "inny" had became an "outty".

    I been through several D.O.T. physicals and nobody ever said anything. So, just the other day I went for another DOT physical (first one with my own personal doc) And he put it on my paperwork for my fed med card. He also really thinks I should get the surgery to fix the hernia. Says it may be fine now and for the last several years, but it could turn into an emergency situation and wouldn't want that out on the road. So, my wife and I kinda figured now would be a good time to get it taken care of since i'm laidoff and don't start training for new job until April. Which brings me to these two questions.
    1) Will this or could this end up being a problem for me with my new employer? (since doc insinted on putting on paperwork) I mean it is a hernia.

    1a) I only went to my own doc so insurance would pay for it. (wifes ins.) Should I maybe just go to different doc and pay for it myself so it's not on the paperwork? They didnt mention it before don't think they would now.

    2) Have you or anyone you know ever had this surgery? If so, how bad is it. What can I expect as far as recovery, healing time, risks and so on...

    I have never had any surgeries or anything! So, i'm pretty nervous and of course the wife who popped out two children eight minutes apart isn't all that sympathetic. I am man enough to admit I am a huge baby when it comes to this stuff, and the fact that she's a nurse really doesnt help matters. I realize it's not open heart surgery or anything but I'm still quite nervous. Plus the fact that it could affect my new job isn't helping either.

    So, if you guys/gals could answer my questions and maybe give me some good advice I would greatly appreciate it. Thank you very much.
     
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  3. Lilbit

    Lilbit Road Train Member

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    Get it done, by your doc on the insurance (it won't be cheap!). If they can do it arthroscopically (with the little tools and tiny incisions) your recovery time could just be a matter of a few weeks.

    I had to have my appendix out back in 2002, and I had restrictions for about 6 weeks. Two tiny little scars from it is all.

    The sick thing was, it was an almost $18,000 bill from the hospital. It was an emergency though.
     
  4. leannamarie

    leannamarie "California Girl"

    My 3 month old nephew has an umbilical hernia. It looks horrible! Apparently it is quite common the doctor assures my sister.

    And I can relate to being a sissy about surgery. I had my tonsils out 7 years ago. I was sure that the anesthesiologist was going to kill me and I was never going to wake up.
     
    4eagles Thanks this.
  5. 4eagles

    4eagles Light Load Member

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    OK but I was talking about getting the DOT physical else where not the surgery. Sorry for the confusion, and sorry to hear about your appendix and OMG that bill!!! Reminds me of having to pay 13000 for sons broken arm. also an emergency and no ins. at the time.
     
  6. Lilbit

    Lilbit Road Train Member

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    Well, we have my confusion cleared up!

    Better to get the surgery done than have something happen on the road. That can be pretty painful if a hernia gets strangulated.

    I'm just glad we had health insurance at the time of my appendix.

    The weird thing is the day I ended up in the ER for that was the same day we found out my hubby has two herniated discs in his lower back.
     
  7. 4eagles

    4eagles Light Load Member

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    Well I don't remember using the word sissy. :biggrin_25510: lol
    Yeah and how about all the horror stories you hear about people not being asleep and able to feel and hear everything. Only they can't communicate it to anybody?!?!?!????
     
  8. leannamarie

    leannamarie "California Girl"

    My bad, sorry to infer the word sissy. Yes, those stories are horrifying!
     
  9. 4eagles

    4eagles Light Load Member

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    EXACTLY!!! Thats the other thing that scares me lol... Coming out worse then when i went in cuz they found something else wrong!

    So, any thoughts on what to do about the fed med?
     
  10. 4eagles

    4eagles Light Load Member

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    I know. It's all good... I was just playin.... I got thick skin.
     
  11. Lilbit

    Lilbit Road Train Member

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    Is there a Concentra clinic near you? They are the ones I see mentioned the most, and the outfit that does the DOT physicals around here. I'd go through one of them, and keep your mouth shut about the issue.
     
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