Umbilical hernia op + recovery

apple_muncher

I will be having a hernia op mid-Jan and was hoping for some stories...


I have an umbilical hernia, but it is high up, a good 2" above my belly button. The talk is that they'll use a mesh to fix everything back in its proper place. Under general anaesthetic.



In trying to read up about post-op recovery, I can find very little that isn't written by medical establishments. I've had a general before, albeit rather a long time ago, so I have an idea of how I'll react to that.


But I'm really hoping that some of you out there have had this done and can tell me all about what it was like afterwards for you. I'm happy to have all the gory details...


Many thanks.

unforeseen

Can't give you any help but I have the same. Still waiting for a date.
I understand that it is just day surgery with a week or 2 off work and 6 weeks light duties.

3secondmemory

My best friend has had an awful hernia for years - this year it stopped going back in so she finally went to the doctor about it.

She had the op at the end of the summer and since then has returned to work and lost a ton of weight - she can move freely without having a hard backed book tied around her midriff holding her guts in!

It was only day surgery - transdermal mesh? - and she wasn’t even sore after! No stitches just a piece of sticky back plastic over it.

I am pathetically squeamish so couldn’t bear to look or hear about but she breezes through it!

I can’t believe she left it so long! 4 years this Christmas if memory serves me right - we were playing a raucous card game when it first popped out! She blames me!

FluffyDog

I'm a nurse on a unit that does hundreds of these each year.

My unit requires men to urinate before discharge. If you chose to leave before that happens, we advise you that if you don't manage for to pass water in the next 8 hours, you have to return to the emergency unit for catheterization. Most men choose to stay.

You will have either steri strips or staples for closure. Won't know until it happens.

We always recommend a light diet for the next 24 hours, anaesthesia doesn't do well with fatty foods, so don't risk the chance of vomiting. It's never comfortable when you've had abdominal surgery. Use a pillow to hold against your abdomen to ease the jerking when coughing, laughing, etc.

unforeseen

Aren't most done by keyhole?
1 for the gas, 1 for the camera and 2 for the tools.

Pollycat

FluffyDog wrote: »

I'm a nurse on a unit that does hundreds of these each year.

My unit requires men to urinate before discharge. If you chose to leave before that happens, we advise you that if you don't manage for to pass water in the next 8 hours, you have to return to the emergency unit for catheterization. Most men choose to stay.

You will have either steri strips or staples for closure. Won't know until it happens.

We always recommend a light diet for the next 24 hours, anaesthesia doesn't do well with fatty foods, so don't risk the chance of vomiting. It's never comfortable when you've had abdominal surgery. Use a pillow to hold against your abdomen to ease the jerking when coughing, laughing, etc.

FluffyDog
I think your post contravenes MSE rules - in particular the bit in red.

• Medical advice
  
  
  This is a MoneySaving site. If you have a medical problem, please use NHS Direct or go to your doctor. This forum, and the Health, Beauty and Fashion board in particular, are not the place to discuss it.
  The Health board is for discussion of all issues surrounding health, diet, nutrition and how they relate to MoneySaving. Discussing medical insurance policies, cheaper ways to see consultants, cashback for alternative health treatments, how to get specific medication cheaper (legally) are all perfectly acceptable forms of discussion.
  It is very specifically and strictly not for the discussion of what to do in the event of certain medical problems. Please do not ask questions about this.
  Even though medically-qualified people sometimes visit these forums, we would ask them to refrain from answering specific medical questions. This leaves us open to somebody coming on, pretending to be a doctor when they're not, and giving advice.

Robin9

unforeseen wrote: »

Aren't most done by keyhole?
1 for the gas, 1 for the camera and 2 for the tools.

That was the way mine was done.

I was kept in overnight following a reaction to the anaesthetic. Then walked OK to the car

Your insides are tugged around a fair bit and I had a nagging pain for 2/3 months.

apple_muncher

Oops.


Thank you all for taking the time to comment. I appreciate it.


although I'll admit that I'm still hoping that someone - anyone...! - will pop in and share their personal experience.

apple_muncher

Robin - crossposted with you. That's good to know, about the on going nagging. Thank you. Hope you are fully recovered now.

roddydogs

No probs here just a bit sore for a few weeks, and, er pooing is a bit of a prob as you can't strain. Out same day they suggest you have someone with you overnight.

DigForVictory

Seize the opportunity to have those around you trained in cooking, washing up, laundry, bed making etc. Turn that "6 weeks light duties" into "There are ten heat & eat meals plus another 10 in prepped veg form in the freezer - bring me a portion of shepherds pie & a choc ice, please."

And resign yourself to the removing bagfuls count staying static for a while? Very best of luck!