I'm so tired of surgery. So incredibly tired of surgery- I'm sure you guys can relate.

Well after three surgeries for my j-pouch, I have a hernia.

Seriously, I know it isn't the end of the world, but I am so weary and frustrated, it's hard not to just give up.

Anyway, I have to go ahead and proceed with the surgery now (scheduling, work and insurance reasons). I'm dreading it so much. I swear, one more needle in my arm and I feel like jumping off of a cliff. I'm pretty confident that even though I handled the first three- I'm gonna cry like a baby the whole time I go in for this one. It's just too much, you know? Sorry to be such a whiner.

Can anyone tell me what recovery will look like? I am working in an office, don't do much but answer the phone- when do most people end up going back to work? Will I need to lie in bed for days on end? Is this complicated when you have a j-pouch? What sort of incision am I looking at?

I know a lot of these questions will have to be answered by my doctor, but I'm hoping someone out there has some advice or thoughts from experience.

Thanks all.

I just want to empathize with you. I've been living with my hernia for about 5 years and have had no problems with it.....other than it looks horrible. I'm in my late 60's and just don't care how it looks! Told my surgeon that if he ever needed to "go in there" for another reason....for instance, an obstruction.....to take care of the hernia repair at the same time. Guess I just don't care how I look! From what I've read/heard, the hernia repair surgery is no biggie and almost everyone is happy with the outcome. Restrictions seem to be limited to not lifting anything of consequence for awhile. Seems to be an outpatient procedure and possibly done laprocopically. Best wishes for a smooth surgery and fast recovery.

I had hernia surgery 3 years after my take down surgery. I had the hernia for one year and couldn't live with it. My surgeon just opened me up in the same incision from the previous surgeries. Also, he didn't want me to have the same problem later so he put a piece of mesh that covers the entire area of my incision and did this in between layers of muscle. My stomach is as strong as steel now. LOL
Because of the large incision and cutting of the muscle I had 5 days in the hospital and another week at home before going back to work. It was worth it to know I won't have another hernia later.
Good luck to you!!
Tracy

I had an incisional hernia repair about a year after my original surgery (it became evident about 4 months post op, but I opted to wait). It was a mesh repair with an overnight stay in the hospital. I was up doing my normal routine the day after surgery (with a little bit of restriction- lifting, etc.). Pain was minimal. I had to go back to have a seroma drained about three times, but it was no big deal.

Jan

I have had 2 hernia repairs. The first one was at the takedown site. I waited a year and had it done out patint. Very easy. The second one was all along the mid-line incision. I was going to wait but ran into problems. This one was a little more involved. He re-opened the whole incision and put a large mesh in there. I stayed in the hospital for 2 days and back to work in 4 weeks.
He has been really strict about returning to work and lifting things. I think he keeps me out a little onger then I need to.
Jennifer