Ack! Another ventral hernia. Having surgery Dec. 13.

[CTyankee]

Not a great thing. My surgeon laid it out. It could develop into a bad situation, i.e., eventual gangrene if the thing gets strangulated.

So there is not question of what to do. Not thrilled with this outcome...

[redwitch]

1. Ugh. Not exactly what you wanted for Christmas?

So sorry but good that the necessary repair gets done, right?

[CTyankee]

3. Yep, I have Medicare and a supplementary policy that covers the entire 20% that Medicare

doesn't cover. It's outpatient surgery and not as extensive as an earlier one, so I am grateful for that. A problem: my husband has limited mobility due to 2 spinal surgeries so I'll have to have somebody come in and help with things he can't do, like schlep laundry up and down the stairs from the basement. I'm afraid I've neglected this thing because I didn't want to admit that I couldn't handle everything around the house. That is a fiction, as I now know...

[TwilightGardener]

2. Sorry, CT Yankee. I had abdominal surgery a few years ago, the

worst part was waiting for it to finally happen. The recovery wasn't bad at all--hopefully you will sail through it. I wish you luck and good health.

[CTyankee]

5. thanks so much! I had abdominal surgery too...complications from a simple elective

cholectomy to prevent me from getting a very severe case of diverticulosis. I was in Yale New Haven Hospital for 6 weeks, rehab for 2. Long recovery with temporary colestomy. All was well when I recover, 30 pounds lighter and feeling pretty good, but the first ventral hernia soon surfaced a year later and it took two tries to fix it. Now this other ventral hernia (different place in the abdomen). At first, the surgeon said it was not a problem but now, 2 years later, he took a look and said Uh,oh. I kinda knew it was coming, I could feel the difference.

Oh well, At least my clothes will fit better after I have it done...

[TwilightGardener]

8. Gahh. Well, hopefully THIS time it'll be smooth sailing.

You deserve it, after all that--jeez louise.

[LiberalLoner]

9. +1 wishing all the best for you

[still_one]

4. If it was inguinal they might tell you to wait if it was not causing symptoms

and was small

Good luck

[CTyankee]

6. No, this thing is right in the wall next to the intestine. If I don't have it done, the doc says I

risk possible gangrene. That sure convinced me! I have no plans to depart this earth due to gangrene infection...

But, you are right, when it was small, he said to leave it alone and I did until I started to get the feeling that things weren't right...

[LiberalEsto]

7. Good luck to you

and a speedy recovery

[CTyankee]

12. Thanks. I appreciate you good wishes!

[lob1]

10. I'm recovering from hernia surgery right now. I had mine 2 weeks ago.

It wasn't terrible, but you'll be sore for a while. A big thing to keep in mind, you're not supposed to lift anything, ANYTHING, for one, maybe two months. A couple of days ago, without thinking, I picked up my 12 pound Yorkie, and I paid for it. It hurt. It was over a week before I could bend over enough to pick up my dog's dish so I could feed him. Mine was at the naval, and gut wounds take time to heal. Sorry you have to go through it, but it's better to do it than not.

[CTyankee]

11. That's a problem, but my surgeon said I'd be able to do some lifting after about 2 weeks.

My husband has spinal issues and can't do laundry as it is in the basement. So we'll have to get some help to do it. We can get groceries delivered by Stop & Shop so no problem there.

[SheilaT]

13. Sounds like not fun at all.

But isn't it wonderful that these things can be fixed?

Take care of yourself and get the help you need.

[CTyankee]

14. Oh, yes! Thanks.

I just learned today that a good friend will be driving me and my semi-disabled husband to the surgery center where the outpatient procedure will be performed. And he'll go to lunch with my husband and drive us home afterwards. That gives me such comfort.

Thanks for your kind words!