Gunny Is Home After Surgery

[GunnyBunny]

It's only day surgery, but it's still surgery.

I've got whatever kind of hernia you get around your belly button. I've lived with it for years and it had only been a minor annoyance until a few months ago when it put my in the emergency room at my local hospital. The attending physician mentioned a few catch words like gangrene, infection and death and that got my attention, so I'm getting it taken care of.

I'm told I'll be off work for two weeks (like I can really afford that) and then no heavy lifting for a month after that.

Anyone else out there had it done that can tell me what to expect?

[DefensiveCarry.com]

[gasmitty]

I had an inguinal hernia (the "standard" location) fixed about a dozen years ago. Woke up with five half-inch holes in my belly... turned out the hernia was incarcerated (wouldn't return on its own) so a couple of extra holes were needed.

My guess is your repair will be similar. The gut is inflated with nitrogen or other inert gas to distend the belly, then a piece of fabric mesh is stapled in place over the ruptured abdominal muscle, below the layer of fat.

Recovery was uneventful, but of course YMMV. Soreness across the abdomen and at the incision sites, but pain was easily mitigated with prescription pain meds for 2-3 days. About the most uncomfortable part was achy shoulders and upper back as a result of the nitrogen dispersing over the same time frame. It's been a while but I recall a stool softener or Metamucil was recommended for a couple of weeks post-op so you don't work at the "daily offerings."

Obviously, recovery means no heavy lifting or other abdominal exertion for a few weeks, then ease back into things as you and your doc see fit.

In the grand scheme of things, it wasn't a big deal... fewer intrusions on my lifestyle than, say, knee surgery.

Good luck with it... hope yours was as uneventful as mine. Pray for a surgeon with steady hands!

[mlkx4]

I have had the abdominal hernia in the same location. They had to sew it inside and out and put some kind of mesh screen to insure it doesnt happen again. I was out of work for 14 days, and limited lifting for a few weeks after. I was going to man up and not take any of my pain killers, until I had to get out of my recliner and make my way to the bathroom. I used up every single pill. For some reason I bruised up really bad, and I might still have a pic. Ill post it if I can find it.

[mlkx4]

1-06 002.jpg
Not sure if that worked or not, but if it did its kinda gruesome...

[DaRedneck]

Good night! I have the same hernia. Umbilical. I have been putting it off because I have heard from friends that went thru it that the recovery period was rough. I actually have my pre surgery appointment on September 17th. Please update this after your surgery. Good luck during your recovery and I hope it heals quickly.

[HKinNY]

To Gb best of luck.

[miklcolt45]

GB, as was mentioned, the worst part was the gas pain afterwards.
While I had the inguinal hernia repair, I think there would be some, but not major difference from umbilical.
I was sore, but easily controlled due to laparoscopic surgery.

Good luck. Beats being in pain.

[eggs]

wow the attending physician got your attention!
best of luck and hoping for a speedy recovery

[Bark'n]

Got you in my prayers buddy. No worries. Piece of cake!

[borglyn]

Had mine done 6-15-11. Picture above is accurate. 3 hernias and 2 holes were repaired. Worst pain was two days after and then receded rather quickly. Was given vicodin for pain and used them all. The pain would subside once I sat or stood up, the bending got me. The stool softener was advised as vicodin tends to bind you up.
You should be fine, up and moving(slowly!) by Wednesday.

[ppkheat]

I watched a video of a laproscopic inguinal repair. Really great technique (of course it was. because it was done on someone else other than me !!!) A doctor friend of mine told me once "there is no such thing as minor surgery when you're the patient".

Good luck, I'm sure you'll do fine.

Expect the gas pains.

[Hot Wing]

Wishing you all the best

[Inspector71]

Good luck GB and hopefully a swift and speedy recovery!

[Sky Pilot]

Had my umbilical hernia repaired July 1 and back to work 2 weeks after.
It is so very nice to stand up straight again and even better not to be nauseated all the time!
Doc went in through the belly button itself, used mesh and fixed me right up.
I think I used three pain pills total.
As another poster warned, YMMV, but mine was an absolute crashing non-event.

[GunnyBunny]

Hi Ho, Hi Ho, it's off to surgery we go.

Thanks for the good wishes.

Wish me luck!