non-emergency repair of Peterson's hernia - recovery? (xpost)

Mary C.
on 9/10/09 12:06 am - Glovertown, Canada

Hi there - please allow me to chime in. MY pain also was intermittant - and so bad I wished I would die. The long and short of it is- 2 and a half weeks later - I ended up having emergency OPEN surgery with insertion of g-tube for repair of a Peterson's Hernia. My surgeon had told me about a week before when I was "not so sick" that he probably could repair it laparoscopically - but when the time came - I had gotten in such a mess inside that I was so bloated and swollen and he was unable to do it by scope safely. His call - and I trust him. It's 2 days shy of 4 weeks now since my surgery. It has been by far the most difficult thing to try anf get over. And I have had a c-section, a fractured/dislocated ankle with plates and screws, an open tubal ligation etc etc. I go back to my surgeon this Monday for a check up and getting the g-tube out. I have two lots of advice for you-

#1 - Please do not delay this surgery if you get sick again. I almost lost a good portion of my small bowel by "putting up with" pain and discomfort.
#2 - Make no assumptions about your response to /recovery time for this surgery. 4 weeks after my RNY (lap) - I could have went back to work. I'm an RN in a busy ER. Today - almost 4 weeks after the open Peterson's repair - I am no where close to being able to go back to work.

Hopefully - your's will be repaired laparoscopic, no g-tube and you'll have an uneventful recovery. But leave the time frame open as far as your work etc is concerned. Better to have them prepared for the longer term - just in case. I wish you the best of luck and please let us know how you are doing!

juliemomto2
on 9/10/09 12:21 am

RNY on 09/09/08

I am glad you chimed in! Since surgery is just over 24 hours away I am just hoping for the best between now and then. I definitely realize that there is a chance I could end up open too....I just have to deal with whatever happens.

I am sorry yours ended up that way and with such a rough recovery. But as awful as this sounds, I feel a little less alone in "putting up with" it, at least...it's good to know I am not the only one who had the intermittent pain, I was beginning to think I was.

Best wishes for the rest of your recovery, hope it is speedy. And thanks for being a nurse!!

tiggrpt
on 9/10/09 1:59 am - Sabattus, ME

RNY on 04/14/08

I gotta tell you that this is scaring the "crap" outta me! I've had pain in my left side for going on 3 months and the docs are still doing testing! My pain is "off and on" but, more recently, has been more on than off. (Yup, I've got a call in to my doc) This is scary stuff! Not sure why all the docs don't take it as seriously as maybe we do?!?!?!?

Anyways! Hope all goes well for you tomorrow! Please keep us posted on how it goes and your recovery!
Ruth

Ruth "It's never to late to LIVE HAPPILY EVER AFTER!"

juliemomto2
on 9/10/09 3:58 am

RNY on 09/09/08

Thanks, and I hope what you have is something less serious!

Jandell
on 9/10/09 4:04 am - Glendora, CA

RNY on 07/17/06

I'm also one that in no way could have waited to have surgery, I was in so much pain. I called my surgeon at 3AM, he met me in the ER and surgery was done that afternoon. I spent one night in the hospital, took no pain meds, since I had no more pain and a week later with my Dr's permission I was flying to Ireland for a 2 week vacation.

I had no issues with recovery.

Jan
I know I can, I know I can

juliemomto2
on 9/10/09 4:11 am

RNY on 09/09/08

Sorry you had the complication too but glad to hear your recovery was not so bad.... :-)

H.A.L.A B.
on 9/10/09 4:17 am

RNY on 05/14/08

I waited 2 weeks between a serious attack and then surgery - and it was combined with GB removal.
Recovery - was quick. I had it done lap. The worst was the gas pain (the gas they pump inside you for the lap) Walk walk walk.

Until Friday - even if they did not tell you to take it easy - take it easy - no solid foods - so things would not get "stuck".

I had mine repaired but still have some pains on and off. I think I may to have another lap soon. I will know today after the doc visit. My pain comes an goes depends on a day and the food I eat. .

Hala. RNY 5/14/2008; Happy At Goal =HAG

"I can eat or do anything I want to - as long as I am willing to deal with the consequences"

"Failure is not falling down, It is not getting up once you fell... So pick yourself up, dust yourself off, and start all over again...."

juliemomto2
on 9/10/09 4:35 am

RNY on 09/09/08

Yeah you get that wonderful gas pain with any lap surgery I guess, yuck. I am taking it pretty easy, it's about 24 hours away, I will be glad when it's behind me.

Sorry you stil have some pain, I hope it gets resolved. Interestingly, my surgeon says it's not due to what I eat but I still wonder....

Take care!

H.A.L.A B.
on 9/11/09 1:23 am

RNY on 05/14/08

Hi, Wishing you best. Good luck.
And he is right - it has nothing to do what you do, did or did't eat. We just get it.

FYI: my surgery is on Sept 18. next Friday - so I will get the lovely gas pains.

Hala. RNY 5/14/2008; Happy At Goal =HAG

"I can eat or do anything I want to - as long as I am willing to deal with the consequences"

"Failure is not falling down, It is not getting up once you fell... So pick yourself up, dust yourself off, and start all over again...."