I am due to have an Umbilical Hernia repaired. Overnight inpatient is recommended by surgeon, Anybody experienced this?

[dogcyrus]

Should I have the operation? Would appreciate comments.

[Hidden]

What is putting you off having the operation? I know hospitals are not the best of places but sometimes we have just got to do it.

[lillie01 in reply to Hidden]

Hi Gilly......having an op isnt nice at the best of times .i agree with some here as with COPD coughing can help to make copd very uncomfortable.if i was you i would go and have it done at least you will have one less problem to cope with.i hope all goes well for you...........PS my son has had it done twice and he was fine straight away.............

[lillie01 in reply to lillie01]

sorry this message was for dogcyrus

[dogcyrus]

Gillyj, Thank you for your prompt reply. My Respiratory Consultant suggested as my COPD is very good at this time Questions the need for op and anaesthetics. If the henia (Bulging only) is not troubling nor painful to me, why have the op. The surgeon said the henia could get bigger and the possibility of stangulation. Second opinion from surgeon - if you dont need an op dont have it. People have lived with henias for years without ops. I am in a dither!!

[Hidden]

Yes I can see why now. The problem maybe in the future, your copd could get worse as could the hernia. I don't know what I would do in your circumstance but I am sure you will make a decision that is right for you. Good luck.

[dogcyrus in reply to Hidden]

Ta!

[ROCKY21]

I think you will benefit from the op because if your COPD gets worse and you begin to cough harder and for longer periods you could do more harm than good. I went through this a few years ago and it was worse because I was overweight then. It is only a minor op and it will put an end to a few problems you could encounter in the future.

All the best

[dogcyrus]

Many thanks. I shall put that to my COPD consultant. One other thought was put to me. Can the surgeon guarantee that the stitches wont come undone when I cough and I may have to have the op done again anyway so why do it now?

At least you had the Op and have experience. Your op obviously was and is successful.

[Hidden in reply to dogcyrus]

can you have keyhole surgery with local anaesthetic ?

[dogcyrus in reply to Hidden]

Regrettably not. Thanks for suggestion.

[dogcyrus]

I understand that Key Hole is not advocated for small hernia. JulieKKay, thank you for your response. The bottom line is.... two respiratory consultants advised against surgery if the hernia wasnt troubling - for very sound respiratory reasons. A second surgeon who specialises in henia problems agreed with the others. If I should feel pain at anytime thats when the Op becomes necessary. Surgeon remark " Dont have any operation unless absolutely necessary" . I'm sure not everyone would agree. In a nutshell,

havent had the op. Thanks again.

[chrimar]

Recently returned from holiday and have just noted your posting. My advice, if your COPD is reasonably under control, would be to have the operation sooner rather than later. I was in a similar position in March this year - I had a rather large inguino-scrotal hernia which was not actually causing me any pain or discomfort but I was advised that it could deteriorate or strangulate in future. I bit the bullet and went ahead with the operation. Due to my chest condition a general anaesthetic was considered to be too risky so I had the repair operation done under a spinal anaesthetic. I was conscious throughout but never felt a thing apart from minor movement. I actually watched the operation in the reflector around the overhead operating theatre light but this can, of course, be blocked off by a screen. I regained full use of the lower half of my body within 3 hours of the operation and was kept in hospital overnight for observation. My main concern during recovery was the possibility of damaging the repair during a violent coughing fit - a good tip that actually works is to place a folded towel over the operation site and apply reasonable pressure when coughing. Pleased to report that after 6 months I have had no problems and enjoyed a complete recovery. Best wishes - if you need any further information please ask.

[Hidden in reply to chrimar]

I have hernia with some pain - pain started yesterday, so seeing doc tomorrow. Do you know if this can be done under local anaesthetic ? thanks julie

[dogcyrus]

Thank you for that info. Most encourenging. My surgeon agrees with you comment however, mine was an umbilical hernia not nearly as dangerous as yours. The tip about the towel most useful. I shall remember and even use it now.

[chrimar]

Hi Julie,

Sorry to hear about your hernia - I know from experience that they can be very painful.

I'm afraid I can't be much help regarding local anaesthetics or epidurals but I'm sure that your GP will be able to give you all the information you require should this form of anaesthesia be appropriate in your case.

I can, however, give you some information about a spinal anaesthetic which may be of some help should it be a possible alternative to a general anaesthetic in your particular situation. Firstly, there really is nothing to it. For me, the most painful and uncomfortable part of the whole procedure was the spray application of a liquid to numb the area in the middle of my back where the anaesthetist was to inject the anaesthetic - this sensation lasted for a split second.If you are feeling anxious about the whole procedure, the anaesthetist could give you some sedation prior to or during the operation which would make you feel drowsy but you would still be conscious.

Throughout my operation I felt some slight movement when the surgeons were "rummaging about" but I was totally pain free. My main concern was the total lack of movement from my waist down - I couldn't even wriggle my toes. However, all sensation returned about two to three hours after the operation apart from some numbness around the operation site [nerve damage] which cleared after a few weeks. Pain and discomfort after the operation was negligible. Because if my COPD etc. I was kept in hospital overnight for observation and discharged the following morning.

Prior to my operation I received some excellent information booklets from my local hospital covering all types of anaesthetics available to deal with my condition including procedures and after effects - all in laymans language which I could understand.

If you need any more information or advice please come back - in any event let us know how you get on.

Good luck and take care,

Chrimar [Chris].

[chrimar]

Hi again Julie,

Sorry - I've just realised that your posting was on 20 September. Don't know how I missed it as I normally look on the website each day.

Apologies if I'm too late - please let me know how you've got on.

Cheers, Chris.

[dogcyrus]

Thank you all for advice all very useful and encouraging. However, having now spoken to three consultants and the surgeon - all agree there is no point in having the op if its not bothering me. Surgeons qoute "Dont have an operation unless its absolutely necessary". What more can I say.

[EVEREST]

Hi Dogcyrus,

I had this repair done some years ago and it's been very successful. I was kept in hospital overnight because I lived on my own, but I've had no problem with it since.

My advice is go and see your Doctor and have the operation.

Regards

Everest