Hernia Repair & TT scheduled - Nov. 10, 2010!

I just met with my surgeon, Dr. Kuy in Cincinnati, & got a date for my incisional hernia repair & tummy tuck - Nov. 10 - YEAH! Insurance is covering the hernia repair, but the doc says it is much more extensive than he originally thought. It appears my hernia actually started out as the umbilical hernia I had repaired when I had my DS in Nov. 2008. It seems to have opened up from the belly button to the whole right side of my incision. It is HUGE! He won't know the true extent until he gets in there but he feels I will probably need to stay over night in the hospital due to the length of time for both operations & he's submitted a one night hospital stay proposal to my insurance co. He also thinks I may need to take 3 weeks off of work (2 weeks for sure). Has anybody had a complicated hernia repair with TT that would like to chime in on time off needed from work…? I have a 3 hour daily commute but just an “office" type of job once I actually get to work. I’d appreciate any info and/or tips for recovery! Thanks, Belinda

Hi Belinda....good luck with your surgery! I just had a fleur-de-lis tummy tuck with a hernia repair on Sept 1. My hernia turned out to not be as bad as they thought before surgery. I was in the hospital for 2 nights, and came home at night on the 3rd day. It will be 2 weeks this Wednesday, and I'm starting to feel quite a bit better. I had 2 drains....one came out at a week, but the other one is still draining and I'm not quite sure when it will be removed.....hopefully later this week, but not sure.  I can't take many pain meds, so I'm managing mostly on tylenol and valium.Everyone is so different, but I think definitely 2 weeks off work (unless you are a superhero....and maybe you are!!) Best of luck!     Susan