Hernia Surgery - I'm Really Scared!

My son, who is 10 years old now, has had the hernia surgery in the groin on both sides. He was an infant when he had these surgeries performed. I remember being very scared also. He came through like a trooper. It is aganozing I believe more for the parent than for the child. Once he was in our arms all was well. Ahhhhhhhh the healing power of a parent. One thing to remember........if you are scared the baby will feel it so try to do relaxation breathing prior to letting him go for the surgery. One thing we did when he came out of anesthesia was to massage his scalp and body and talk quietly to him. He remaind calm whilst waking up. Please take care...I will pray for you and your family.......K.

Hi K.,
My son was born with an "inglenal hernia" that's when one of the testicles doesn't desend down to it's sack. He had the surgery at 8 weeks old. I'm not sure which type of hernia your baby has, but for us it was pretty much as the rest of the mom's described; a horrible experience as a parent, simple routine for the doctors (although I will say I felt they're compassion, they were a great medical team at Rush Hospital) And my baby was in better shape than I expected when I got him back (he seemed more disturbed with his circumcission). As most babies do at this age my baby had alot of kicking reflexes going on, which I thought would hurt him after the surgery but he never stopped kicking & he never complained. The scars were tiny & not difficult to care for, I recall him healing fairly soon; 1-2 wks. I remember it as if it were recent but he'll be turning 13 next week. He's never had any problems afterwards.
Best of luck, my thoughts & prayers will be with you.

My daughter just had hernia surgery in March. She is six. I was also terrified. I couldn't sleep for days before the surgery. My daughter was so brave, she didn't shed a tear. She was fine in 2 days. It was hard to keep her down during her recovery. She is totally healed now with no limitations and just a small scar. Hernias a fairly common. Take comfort in knowing that your little guy won't be afraid and won't remember any of it. I had a wonderful surgeon - Dr. Joo out of Naperville. He wasn't a pediatric surgeon though. It was the longest day of my life, but we got through it. I will keep you and your family in my prayers. Good Luck

K.,
I can only imagine how you feel. I have not had to go thru this personally but the physician I work with just did. His son is 3 and was just fine. In fact he would not beieve how well he did. That evening he was back to his old self. I am sure the same will go for you too. Your physicain was correct in telling you it is a routine surgery, complications are rare. No matter what you read, or told, you will worry about your baby and you should that is our job as moms, we worry for them.
Many blessings
E.

Dear K.:

I am sorry that you have to deal with this at all. I actually had this surgery (double hernia repair) when I was a youngster - now I have two little scars and do ballet and yoga with the best of them :) My daughter had surgery (removal of a precancerous lesion) when she was nine months old, I think the thing I was most worried about was the anesthesia, she was fine - it was the hardest/longest day of my life but she was absolutely fine - this goes down in the baby book under the "first "boo boo" section. You might never forget this experience but he is never going to remember it. You will be a stronger and better mother for having had to go through this. Be strong. By the end of the day you will be holding him and nursing/feeding him and you will never know how you did it but you will survive.

Good luck!

K.,

This must be pretty terrifying. I had a hernia surgically repaired under general anesthesia when I was six weeks old (this was back in 1966). My mother must have been beside herself. But, I'm fine and obviously have no memory of this, just a faint scar along my bikini line.

Good luck!
D.