Question:
How does a hernia repair compare to WLS?

Last week I found out I have 2 incissional hernias that need to be repaired ASAP. My surgeon has me scheduled for surgery on March 24. I am only 7 months post-op so I have no chances of getting a tummy tuck at the time of surgery. My surgeon said the hernia repair will be easier then WLS in some ways and worse in others. He said the pain level will be much worse and I will be in the hospital 3-4 days. My question to all of you is this, how bad is the surgery really? How would you compare it to WLS? I am actually more scared of this surgery then I was of WLS. Any input would be appreciated!    — Maria S (posted on March 14, 2004)

March 14, 2004
Hi Rosalind, I'm on my fourth week, going into my fifth, of recuperation from incisional hernia repair surgery. Pain level the first week was quite similar to my open (which was 15 months ago), then it tapered off a bit. The weird stretching feeling and numbness is still there. I had to have a medium patch of gortex mesh put in since my muscles had torn extensively. I've read, and my surgeon agreed, that another hernia on the same site can occur, so I am being extra, extra cautious (it's supposed to be pretty awful if they have to repair a second time, especially if gortex mesh has been used). My doc also says that some people are just more susceptible to hernias, too. I was in the hospital only two and a half days (I was originally told 4 - 10 days). The first two weeks were mainly just getting through the days. The mere jostle or bending of any time was like a sharp toothache all around the incision; even accidental movement was icky. After that I've done a bit more each day, with some ups and downs painwise. Here's my thought: You survived WLS. This is just another inconvenient hurdle to face. You can do it. Don't try to out-think your recuperation (I fought this part) and take each day or step one at a time. Best wishes and good luck.
   — Mary Ann B.

March 14, 2004
My surgeon says about 1/3 of opens get incisional hernias and sadly most need follow up surgery to fix them. The hernia risk for LAP is near zero. Now its too late to help the original poster but this info might be of use for people considering which type of surgery to get.
   — Sam J.

March 14, 2004
I had gallbladder surgery and a hernia repair at the same time. The surgery was at 10 am and I was out of the hospital at 3 pm. I had 24 staples and no problems whatsoever. My open rny was on a pain scale of 10, the gallbladder and hernia repair was on a pain scale of 3. Best of luck to you!
   — Jazzy