Advice on Hernia Surgery on the 6 Th

Good luck to you! I had two repairs a few years ago. Lifting is definitely going to be difficult. I had lots of help from friends when I went through mine-I stayed at a friend's house for the first one for about 5 days. She and her family did everything for me. The second one I stayed at home, but my sister came out to help for a few days. She was there for 3 days. I had friends make me dinners that I could freeze and just heat up. Lifting things limited my ability to do much. I also had lots of trouble getting up from my bed. After the first night, I learned camping out on the couch in a somewhat upright position made my life easier...I literally had to be pulled up, in immense pain, from laying down. Of course, my hernias were both right above my belly button. Also, make some bran muffins (I had them mixed with bananas) b/c it will make life in the bathroom easier. Those are the things that really stand out in my mind. I needed more pain meds for the first repair. I stayed out of work for two weeks (I teach), so try to get as much help as possible with the kids. I was in pain longer after the first one, but was in more intense pain immediately after the second one...I guess it all depends on the surgery. Again, good luck...and accept ANY and ALL help offered, even if you don't think you need it. It will help your recovery much more in the end!!!

Hi R.. So sorry to hear you have to have hernia surgery! I had my gall bladder removed last year. Make sure you enlist whatever friends and family you have in the area to help you with babysitting, bringing you meals so you don't have to cook, taking care of animals, etc. You also might want to buy your kids some new and exciting toys/ books/ activities to keep them occupied so you can rest and recover. Also, be sure you talk to your kids and let them know that you're getting something fixed at the hospital. Tell them you're going to be fine, but that you're going to need a lot of rest when you come home.

Hope this advice helps! I wish you a speedy recovery!

R.

R.,

Make some meals ahead and put them in the freezer so that you do not have to cook for a week or so after surgery.

Just had it done a week and a half ago. And I have three children under 3 three(not lifting has been a difficult one as two of them are still in cribs.) Get as much help as you can. Don't try to do anything for the first week cause you really want it to heal right and not have it done again. Ask around if there is anyone that can bring in some meals to your family, I don't know how old your kids are but if there is someone in the neighborhood that you can hire to do the dishwasher and load the laundry....it will really surprise you the things that will bother you after so just take it one day at a time and DON'T push it if things don't get done that it okay(I am still trying to tell myself that one) Every day will get a little better but take the doctors advice and take it easy for the 6 weeks....it will pay off in the long run. Please feel free to email me if you have any questions! I almost forget the best thing ever... being that my children are so small I was afraid of they climbing all over me while I was laying in bed so we bought one of those trays that you would use for breakfast in bed with the legs on it so I could put in over me and my insision would be protected! Hope that helps!

If they do the surgery laproscopically(which is common) you can expect to have pain that radiates into your shoulders during your recovery. It is from the air that they use to inflate your surgery site so that the scope can "see". They get most of the air out but they can't get all of it. Things that help are: warm blankets around your shoulders or heating pads and ambulation as soon as you're able to after the surgery. The air is absorbed eventually, but staying still and hoping it will just go away seems to make you hurt more and it takes a lot longer to absorb. Another thing that will help, have a folded blanket or a stuffed animal or a pillow to hold across your surgery site when you have to cough or sneeze. As far as eating goes, take it easy at first. Anesthesia along with the pain med that you could get after the surgery can cause nausea and vomiting. Start will juices like cranberry or grape (apple juice can cause bloating) and jello and broth soups. I've had patients who down a huge dinner because they haven't eaten for several hours and then lose it all just a little while later. It is easier to throw up a bowl of soup than a steak! :o) Hope this helps.