Has anyone here had hernia surgery? I'm having it tomorrow and starting to get a little nervous.?

Question

What can you tell me about it?

Answer 1

If you want specifics it will depend on the type of herniorraphy you're having done - that is, where the existing hernia is located, how large it is and the repair technique to be used. Needless to say, that after you sleep off the anesthesia, you will be sore. You'll be prescribed an analgesic to take -- take it. You may also be prescribed an antibiotic. You'll need to take it easy during your recovery. Most likely you'll need to avoid exertion and lifting. And in about one week to 10 days, you'll return to your surgeon for your postop follow up with either suture or staple removal but when your surgeon wants to see you will be included in your postop instructions.

Before the procedure, you'l change into a gown, a cap and booties. You'll be taken to a preop area. Your surgeon will stop by to see you briefly as may your anesthetist, then you'll be given a preop med, likely Versed. It will calm you down immediately and make you feel sleepy. Soon you'll be wheeled into the OR suite and your anesthetist will complete anesthesia and you'll be out. Your vital signs - heart rate, respirations and blood pressure - will be constantly monitored. Toward the end of the procedure, your anesthetist will lighten anesthesia and after your surgeon has closed you, the anesthetist and the OR nurses will tell you to wake up. You'll hear them and you will. You'll be wheeled to the postanesthesia recovery room (PARR) and will be monitored there by nurses to assure a good recovery and that should you have a reaction to the anesthesia (vomiting is one) they can get you through it safely.

Once you're stable, you'll be discharged with postop care instructions and prescriptions. You should feel more like yourself again in 10-14 days although this can vary according to individual healing time. You'll be healing from the inside out, so give yourself time to complete the process. Most people are nervous about surgery so you're not alone. You'll do just fine. Any more questions, just ask.

Answer 2

Basically they cut you open, and suture the hernia to the abdomen wall. They also place a piece of mesh to it to keep it in place. If the hernia is enormous, they may remove it. Either way, the recovery phase is short, and the main thing is no lifting after surgery. I have not had this done , but I am an RN nursing student, and I have seen 5 done while I was in the surgery unit for clinicals.

Answer 3

I had a piece of webbing put in to secure my midline ventral hernia. There was some pain in the recovery room, but as soon as I took my Vicodin, the pain was not bad. I was really OK painwise, except for having to be very very careful getting up out of bed. You cannot really use your tummy muscles, and you have to turn on your side and pull yourself up to get up. It is uncomfortable feeling the way the sutures pull, expecially when you sneeze. But it's just an anmoyance, not really terrible.

If you don't make yourself suffer, you will be up and around in 3 days. You need to get up anyway, because it is not healthy to stay down all the time. You will be healing from the sutures for about 6 weeks and you will have to wear a support belt for about 3 months.

Answer 4

I can tell you to relax. I had a double in 76. It was horrible. I had another single in 86. That was not bad it all. They have come a long way with the surgery & the recovery is much easier. Just relax don't worry about things you can't do anything about. I'll be fine. They will give you enough pain meds the you'll be comfortable. Hope this helped you.

Answer 5

I've had two, both were a breeze. Went in the morning at six, back home by noon. Gave me meds for pain..........but I didn't need them. Very small scar, I had Ventral hernias? What kind is yours?

Answer 6

the recovery is horrible!!!


the worst pain you will be in