Question:
When repairing a hernia is the entire incision reopened?

I ride a sportbike which requires me to lean on the tank with my abdomen. I am having a hard time deciding when to have the repair because I hate to give up the riding for a couple of months..I mean if the full incision is reopened. This is not a life threatening condition so I can take this a little lighter and plan it out. I would never compromise my health for a fun activity. Thought I would add that before I get slammed..lol.    — Charlene W. (posted on April 6, 2004)

April 6, 2004
Hey there, If it was me, I would wait until it was gloomy weather and you probably would choose to be in a car. Have a blessed day, Loriann
   — Loriann J.

April 6, 2004
I had a hernia repair and gallbladder surgery at the same time. Surgery was at 10 am and I was out of the hospital at 3 pm the same day. No, my whole incision was not cut open. I had 24 staples and was back at work in two weeks. No problems whatsoever.
   — Jazzy

April 6, 2004
I think it depends on your surgeon and their technique(Lapvs open). Don't feel bad about planning your hernia repair you are not alone. I too am planning my surgery around my golf game. My understanding is the bigger the hernia the least likely it will strangulate just alert yourself to those S&S. One Doctor said he has clients wait a year or so till their weight is down. It is so much fun doing these activities again I don't want to put anything on hold,but it does have to get fixed. Best of luck with your repair. RNY 11/02 300/145 at my goal!
   — cathy G.

April 6, 2004
I had an open RNY and just had a hernia repair this past Thursday. I was not released from the hospital until Sunday. My incision for the hernia repair is about 2/3rds the size of my original RNY incision and I think this surgery hurts even worse then the RNY I had 4 1/2 months ago! My hernia was huge though so that may be why!
   — y0maria

April 8, 2004
Although I had open rny I was able to have hernia repair laproscopily. My incisional hernia was very big and the mesh that was used to repair is the size of a legal pad. Yes, the entire abdominal wall had to be "meshed". This was done on 1/26/04 and my ribs still hurt. I had a panniculectomy which was a breeze compared to the hernia repair. I am still wearing a binder sometimes at night just for support. I saw an x ray taken last week of my abdomen and the mesh was clearly visible. It was shaped like an oval with very visible staples around the perimeter. It was amazing that my surgeon could do this lap. Thanks Dr. McNatt of Morgantown, WV!!!
   — Mylou52