Ventral Hernia Patch

[Phillip Holmes]

Teachers,

I weigh 280 lbs, 44 years old, and out of shape my whole life. I had a ventral hernia repair about 13 years ago. It is 2" to the side of my navel. It's one of those patches (need to call the offices of James Sokolove, I guess). I'm starting to "work hard" where I take a deep breath, and actively push down with my diaphragm. I'm up to 265 on the deadlift and 165 on the squat. I think I'm progressing adequately, considering I am a fatass with lots of abuse.

Q: Should I be wearing a belt to keep from ripping the repair? Have you heard of any complications from powerlifting and ventral hernia repairs with a patch?

Aside: I used to belong to the The W. Edwards Deming Institute when I was a machinist and thought manufacturing was my future. Starting Strength seems to agree with Deming's Plan-Do-Study-Act, where CrossFit, etc.., is the total opposite. It's the only "program" that I wished wasn't called a "program". Most "programs" need "air quotes" around the word.

Thanks!

[Mark Rippetoe]

Yes, belt your squats and pulls, NOW. Do not re-injure that repair. And in your circumstances I will recommend that you lose down to 235 as soon as possible, to get the pressure off the separation.

[Phillip Holmes]

Thanks!

It's stretched over 6'3", so are you sure 235? Doesn't 250 sound more proportional to the height? I got all the way to 325 before I had my Road to Damascus moment. I've gotten rid of the blood pressure meds, overcome sleep apnea, and a host of metabolic problems.

[Mark Rippetoe]

Whatever it takes to get the pressure off the gut.