Admission for hernia surgery????

I posted on the main board, too, but I hope someone here can asnwer me this: I had always heard a hernia repair was day surgery, and the recovery was very fast. My surgeon says I will be admitted for 1-2 days, and recovery is about 6 weeks, as in I can't even go grocery shopping for 6 weeks. This is devastating. Does the size or location of the hernia make a difference, or is it just because I am really fat? Mine is huge (basketball-sized) and below my belly button. The up side is, the surgeon says a large hernia can slow weight loss (it has been slow the last month or so) and I will be 2-3 sizes smaller when it is done! Also, when I had my pre-op physical today, the np was amazed my the muscle in my legs. She said there was no fat on my legs, and mentioned that I must be doing a lot of exercising (*sigh* not true). But it was nice to hear. And, finally, I took yet another picture today. I have not let anyone take a picture of me since I was about 10, now I can't get away from the camera, even though I am still 272 pounds, and I still see myself as really fat, I also realize that I am about the size I was in the 8th or 9th grade, which is amazing. At 18, when I got pregnant the first time, I was over 300, so this is pretty cool. I figure, at my advanced age, I will never become a ballerina, swimsuit model, or Las Vegas show girl, but, I figure, 50 more pounds and I can start pursuing my new dream of joinging the roller derby. Yee haw! If I could learn to skate. Anyway, I digress....How was hernia repair surgery, how long in the hospital, how long was the recovery? Mine will be open with mesh and muscle tightening. Thanks, Carrie

Hi Carrie, I've had 2 hernia surgeries..well, 3 counting the one they did when they did my open wls. With both hernias I was big (obviously) and both were done on an out-patient basis. I just had to have someone drive me home and I slept the rest of the day when I got home. Maybe they are being extra cautious cause you had the bypass surgery and they are doing the muscle tightening too. Sorry if I'm no help....those stupid buggers keep growing in me. Hugs, Virginia aka Ginger

Carrie I'm sorry I can't help ya with the hernia question but I had to tell you how FANTASTIC you look!!! WooHoo You look really good!!! CONGRATULATIONS!!! Hugs, Jamie

Jamie, Thank you so much! I guess there is a difference, it is just hard for me to see. Carrie

Carrie, Ive never had a hernia myself. But my neighbor and my WLS angel developed a hernia about 5 months after her WLS. She ended up staying in the hospital for 5 days. They said it was the location of the hernia, the possibility of complications and the size that made them keep her so long. It was below her belly button and it wasnt quite as big as a basketball but close... I know that she lost 12lbs in those 5 days and her weight loss really kicked up a speed once it was gone... I hope you have the same result. As far as the muscle in your legs- Hello?? You live in a 4th floor walk-up!! Yeah your going to have some great legs- you basically get a work out just trying to get to your apartment!!! So even though you dont "exercise", your still getting more then some people! Good luck and make sure you let us know how things go! Cant wait to see the pictures after the surgery! Amber

Hi Carrie, I had surgery for an umbilical hernia (my innie became an outtie) a week ago tomorrow (1/20/06), just 10 days after my bypass surgery. I can't answer all of your questions but here is what I know. The incision was small. I was in the hospital < 24 hours. It hurt when I moved for the first day or 2 but not excessively. The strange this is, it didn't hurt where the incision was. It hurt about 5 inches to the right. My only restriction was no heavy lifting. (He gave a specific weight limit but I can't remember what it was.) I wasn't to drive if I was taking pain medication. I didn't take any pain medication except for the 1st day so I started driving the following day. I'm a little more tired since the 2nd surgery. I had very little pain from the bypass also so take that into account. I'm a big woman, 325. I hope this helps some. The only advice I can give you is, when you have your surgery and if you can, milk it for all it's worth for at least a day or twelve. Good luck, Mary P