Component Separation Repair

[McKelly]

OK, so I thought I was going in for a day surgery, quick hernia repair. Now the surgeon called and said there are two hernias and he wants to do this - a painful (his words), long, complex surgery that will land me in the hospital for a couple days and keep me out of work for 4-6 weeks. I just had a hysterectomy in December and surgery recovery is fresh in my mind and I am FREAKED OUT right now.

Just wondering if someone could share their experiences with this? I guess it would help if the doctor didn't look like he just graduated high school. I don't want to be practice for him!!!

 

[amberpi]

I died, was in a coma for 6 days and in the hospital for 8 weeks - and now I'm fine (just a few small issues). You'll be SO much better afterwards and it'll be so worth it. The safest place in the world to be is in the hospital. You've got this and just think, you'll be all set with plenty of time to enjoy the summer! You'll be great!

 

[Pooh2]

I did a hysterectomy and large hernia repair together (old mesh has broken down and had to be removed so that complicated things).
Definitely not fun, but by 6 weeks I was back to most activity. The recovery is similar to your hysterectomy.
Wishing you a speedy recovery!

 

[McKelly]

Thanks for the good thoughts. I am feeling guilty because as you can see by my ticker, that we were going to celebrate my DD's High School graduation trip in June, exactly eight weeks after surgery and I just don't think I will be up to it by then and am thinking of canceling. Ugh...I don't know what to do! There's not much out there on the internet talking about patient's recovery experiences! Ugh.

 

[luvmarypoppins]

Well I had a major hernia repair, really it was the 4th surgery in a few months, but I had other issues too. Now I have a piece of mesh the size of a basketball in me.
I was in the hosp. for 3 days and it was really painful for me and I have a high pain tolerance. I went home on just a pure narcotic, maybe percocet but no tylenol in it.

I had to wear an abdominal binder for weeks.

My surgery was done laparoscopicaly and it did take about 6 weeks to heal. I was feeling more like myself then but really no lifting, reaching etc.

If its done lapro post op I had a lot of shoulder pain, It was horrible and they said it was because of the gas they use to see inside and guide the instruments.

I would ask your dr. if he is doing open or lapro and also I asked about what kind of mesh they were putting in if you are getting that. You never know if that stuff will be trouble one day. I think I have a patch of something and proceed mesh. Sometimes you don't get a choice and just what the hopsital stocks is what you get but some doctors have more options to use.

Best of luck to you,

 

[mom2rtk]

Thanks for the good thoughts. I am feeling guilty because as you can see by my ticker, that we were going to celebrate my DD's High School graduation trip in June, exactly eight weeks after surgery and I just don't think I will be up to it by then and am thinking of canceling. Ugh...I don't know what to do! There's not much out there on the internet talking about patient's recovery experiences! Ugh.

Definitely ask the doctor. But couldn't you go and take a slower pace, maybe use an ECV if you aren't feeling strong?

 

[McKelly]

The doc said I would be fine in eight weeks.......umm, I'm not 100% sure if I believe that. I felt pretty good at 8-10 weeks after robotic hysterectomy and this is supposedly, a much bigger, badder, surgery, plus I'm not 25 anymore! I do have the option of pushing the vacation back one month, giving me an extra 4 weeks. MY TA has a similar deal at that time. I am definitely considering that but I want to talk to the doctor first to see what the post op is supposed to be, if there is physical therapy, etc., that might mess with that too. I know my daughter is disappointed, but she's hiding it well. I had the perfect vacation planned, perfect ADR times, tours, dinner show, Dessert Party etc. The only thing I would lose money on would be the Cirque de Soleil tickets - I knew I shouldn't have bought them!! Ugh!