I was back working within a week. It was quite sore to walk for the first 2 days but it eased up. I’ve mainly had office based employment so I’m not sure my example is the best to be honest. There is no way I would have been able to work in trades for a good couple of months if my memory serves me correctly.
Well part of my job involves lifting. I’m a stock controller and I make space around a warehouse for fast moving stock and get rid of other products. It’s cartons of safety footwear (120 pairs per case) plus boxes of gloves, workwear, construction equipment, tools etc. so it does involve a lot of manual palletising before it’s moved by forklifts. About 20% is office work though. I may be able to work around the situation for a short while driving a reach truck thereby minimising the manual handling. We’ll see how I’m affected after my recovery period - but I’ll get the operation over with first…whenever that may be.
Thanks bud. 
You need to get signed off work for longer Floydy. It’s really important that you take it easy and don’t lift things after the op. Your recovery will be the priority. If your employer is not sympathetic and tries to push it then you have every right to any benefits available. Plus you could take them to court.
The longest absence note the doctor would give me this time Annie was a further four weeks off work. I did mention all of this above actually
My employer is now fine with things and I have their full support. They understand that there will then be recovery time also and there is no problem. There is no issue about taking anybody to court whatsoever.
I also understand that I must take things easy and I do know my limits, as I have also spoken about.
I’m now finding plenty of things to occupy my time and as you say, the main focus is rest and taking things easy
Floydy, you are a stalwart. Philosophical about your ailment.
And a great contributor to the forum.
Aw shucks mate, thanks 
Likewise bud. I always enjoy reading your posts
I’m actually having a bit of a conundrum about drinking at the moment. My hernia is restricting me from eating and drinking anything in reasonable quantities as the food pushes the irritating thing out every time I bloody stand up. Even a can of Guinness watching a film is too much now, just a few sips of water. It’s the feeling of being bloated all the time.
I usually get together with friends at the weekend. Last Saturday I went out with them but couldn’t stomach any more than a couple of pints without being ‘full’ and had to go home. It’s getting awful that I can’t even see anybody for a beer now.
I can’t sit down for too long, I can’t stand up and go for a decent walk - the sodding thing starts aggravating me.
What the hell do I do with myself?! No happy, sorry folks 
Floydy, you have to understand that while you have this Hernia you have to adjust your life to cope with it. You cannot continue doing what you want or have been doing, it will have to be what your hernia will allow you to do.
Hernias are quite common, just take things easy as you may have to wait months yet for your op.
Mr Mags went through the same years ago, he discovered which foods were better for him, didn’t do anything strenuous and was careful right up to his op. In those days, unless it was a strangulated hernia, the waiting list was one or two weeks but these days it can be weeks and weeks or even months before you are seen.
Try to be patient, worrying won’t help you.
I know Mags, it’s just really getting me down now.
I have actually found a book (written by the Hairy Bikers) about making smaller ‘diet’ meals and I’ll be getting some ingredients to put together some suitable meals. Pottering around the kitchen doing that will be good for me. I used to enjoy cooking when I lived off base in my final years in the RAF, so that will be enjoyable I think.
I need to find some kind of balance between sitting down all the time (which I’m not used to as I’m normally a very active person) and walking too far. And I can’t very well walk around the house all day. You don’t get very far in a three-bedroom semi without going in the same rooms again, unless I mark time, soldier-style!
Going to the gym on Tuesday proved pointless. I couldn’t really do very much and as you say it’s not worth the risk. I just need to keep relatively fit otherwise I’ll be worse if I get too fat, the hernia will be pushed out even more. I can’t win!
I’ll just keep chasing the hospital up, all I can do really.
I understand what you mean Floydy, it’s very difficult to change your way of life when you have been so active.
These things happen, adjust your life while waiting for the op, then you can gradually get back to your real life.
Good luck anyway, I’m sure you’ll cope one way to the other. 
Great advice Mags.
I’m so sorry you have to deal with this Floydy.
I wish you the best
Thanks Bratti.
Yes, I’m just a bit fed up right now. Some idiots on another thread are not helping tbh. I can do without that crap.
Ignore them, Floydy, you’re worth more than them!
Have you chosen a hobby from the list yet? There were a few things on there that I wouldn’t mind trying myself. However - I do know it is difficult to concentrate/settle when you are in pain. Hope the hospital schedules you for an early op.
Keep posting - we need you!!
Why wouldn’t you “set foot in the USA”, Tabby? I wasn’t too pleased with that tbh as I’m really looking forward to it next year and nobody will put me off the idea. Btw, you’re not one of the “idiots” I mentioned
I may disappear from the forum for a week as it’s too addictive. I won’t get any of those hobby ideas started if I’m on here on a computer all day long will I?
It comes across as such a corrupt place, Floydy - from the White House on down. Not to mention dangerous. Wouldn’t want to go anywhere that has such lax gun control. Your trip sounds well planned and I hope you enjoy it - but - it would not be for me.
Much as I loved my time touring in India 2003/4 I would not go back there either in the current climate.
Okay fair enough.
With out reading back through we went to the states,visited New York for Christmas,no commercialism.Visited Vegas,lost $25,vowed never to gamble again.
Florida and the theme park’s 5 times,in all them visits never once felt threatened.
What’s that got to do with my hernia problem?
Nothing, Floydy. I believe Caricature was trying to make me feel guilty about saying I would not go to america - it didn’t work - so let’s go back to your hernia.
How are you feeling today?
Still no date for your op floydy…?
Hope you’re not in too much discomfort, I know you asked how long is the recovery time, and as you know it depends on the individual, I had mine aged 52, and boy was I sore, I took a month off, ( using 2 weeks holiday) , I remember the anaethiatist, saying that he ran upstairs after he had one, and realised he probably shouldn’t have done that, your relatively young, and fit , so you might not feel it too much, I suppose it depends on the type of hernia maybe how much is involved in repairing it, ( I don’t think they used mesh on mine, more like a fishing net!!
,) , just take it easy until it’s op time…