Hernia and scared

I am currently about sixteen months post opt and for the last few days my hernia is bothering me. I looked at it yesterday and it has gotten bigger (and more sensitive)and now I am depressed because I know that I may have to go under the knife again. I must admit when I had my weightloss surgery I was'nt afraid but since I went through my past ordeals I am scared that I may not walk out of the hospital this time. I guess I am just paranoid and traumatized since the my long hospital stay last year. Also I was wondering is the hernia repair more difficult than the weightloss surgery and for those of you who have had it when is it the right time to have the procedure. Help!!!!!!!!!!!! FRED

Hello Freddy, You know I consider myself the "hernia queen." My hernia surgeries have been frustrating because I had recurrent ones, but the surgery itself is not serious or dangerous. My recurrances have been caused because of all the female surgeries and pregnancies I've had in recent years. It's very, very rare for one to have as many hernia complications as I have had. It's best to treat the hernia before gets strangulated or before things get stuck in there as bowel gets looped in the herniated tissue. My weight loss surgery doctor was a hernia specialist long before adding bariatrics to his practice. He sees lots of complicated hernia cases from all over the country and I highly recommend him. He's a wonderful surgeon with a heart of gold. I've written about him on my blog and just recently edited an article that he wrote for Bariatrics Today on wls and ventral hernias. Here's an article that I wrote that includes a bio box of him and his work: http://francesspencer.blogspot.com/2004/12/holidays-can-help-unwrap-healthy-meal.html Most of all, please know that you are not alone and that the greatest aspect of this often scary journey. As a good friend of mine recently said: "I got your back." Onward! Frances

Hello friend I thank you for the wonderful response. I tried to email you before I posted my question on the message boards but it would not let go through and I did not see a spot on your blog where I could email you. Thanks again. fred