Question:
When is it a good time to get rid of a hernia?

How long can you go before you have to have surgery to have it removed. I have been experiencing some uncomfortable sensation in my stomach where my hernia is and also I been fighting a cold for the last week and half. I am nine months post op and is not ready to get back into surgery so soon. I also need to have a tummy tuck and wanted to get them done at the same time. But really can't afford to take off from work right now. I believe I can deal with the pain but don't want to have emergency surgery for waiting too long.    — [Anonymous] (posted on January 3, 2001)

January 2, 2001
Good morning. I'm 9 mos post-op and have an incisional hernia. When I met w/my dr this past Friday, we agreed that at a year post-op we'd look at scheduling the hernia repair...and my tummy tuck at the same time. I have about 35 lbs I need to lose before I have the tt done. I'll go for my consult on 29 Mar, which is the same day I go back for my 1 yr post-op visit. I'm comfortable with that time frame. I'm anxious to have both procedures and to quit fussing about how much my tummy hangs, etc. Good luck...and I hope the discomfort goes away soon.
   — Lucky B.

January 3, 2001
Hi, I had surgery last May and also have an incisional hernia. I have experienced pain now and then from it and decided to go to a surgeon who does alot of hernia repairs to get his input on how my hernia is at this time and when to have it repaired. Luckily, it is not too bad at this time but I should still not overdo lifting heavy things to make it worse. I also still had a presciption from my wls doctor for pain which I take when I am having trouble with it. He did advise me to wait as long as I could - that way, it gives the open rny surgery more time to completely heal and the hernia repair will heal quicker. I would recommend having a surgeon who specializes in hernia repair to check out your hernia and let you know if it is still okay or strangulated which will mean you need surgery right away. Good luck!
   — blank first name B.