Terrified about hernia operation - anyone had one?

[hmmmum]

I'm getting an umbilical herina repaired in July with a mesh.
I didn't think it was a big deal - minor operation etc.
But then I looked into it more (should not have googled) and found people saying that you're in unbearable pain afterwards and can barely move.
Has anyone had this done? Do the NHS give you lots of strong painkillers afterwards? I'm a total wuss with pain (not proud of that). The only time I've been in terrible pain was giving birth to my 1st child (with my 2nd I had an epidural). I still feel traumatised by that feeling of not being able to handle the pain, and it going on and on.
At the end of the day, I'm grateful I can get this fixed on the NHS. I'll survive and be OK!! But if anyone can give me more information from their own experience that would be great.

Not me, but DH has had two hernia repairs. He was private, but don't think the op would be any different. He was signed off work for two weeks and not in a huge amount of pain. Just needed to take it easy for a while. By the end of the two weeks he was feeling a bit of a fraud as he felt fine.

that is so reassuring.....thanks so much!!

Yes, I have, and it was mostly fine - though in my case, the mesh sprang loose after a few months, and sort of curled up on itself into a pyramid. General medical view was that it would be worse to try to poke around again and I might as well live with it, as it had already done its job of encouraging the wound to bond together.

I therefore have a nice tidy little scar... and a strangely pointy belly button.

Don't try to go surfing four weeks later, would be my advice. Wetsuits are not soothing.

I had one done privately with mesh (thanks DC for the hernia!). It was done under "light sedation" and I don't remember anything between being taken down to theatre and waking up on the hospital bed afterwards.

I won't lie - immediately afterwards it was painful (not as bad as childbirth though and I wouldn't say it was "unbearable"). I struggled to stand, my abdominal muscles felt all sore such that I had to use my arms to lever myself up and I was dizzy. The nurses seemed surprised though, so I think people usually find it better than this. They gave me lots of painkillers (diclofenac and paracetemol) which helped.

I was discharged the same afternoon and you will definitely need someone to take you home. I spent 2 days in bed then was up and about after that. I started a new job 7 days later with a very long commute. I was still sore (but twinges not terrible). In retrospect it would have been better to take two weeks off and one could have worked from home after about the 2nd day. The bandages stayed on for 2 weeks. Don't do any heavy lifting for several weeks afterwards.

I can completely understand why you're anxious . Talk to the staff and tell them your fears - you're entitled to have them ,don't be labelling yourself a wuss .

Could the staff get the doctor to write you up /prescribe extra pain meds in case you need them ?

I think you're comparing it to an awful labour where you're exhausted and as you say ,pain going on and on .It won't be like that ..

You're being very brave . It's going to be ok .

Thanks for the replies. That's good to know it's very unlikely to be anywhere near as bad as childbirth...and unlikely to be unbearable. And DH is taking the week off work so that'll help as I guess I can just lie around and not move much for a couple days. Not done that much since having kids. Good idea about asking for extra painkillers.

I had one a couple of years ago and it was fine. They gave me a post-op abdominal binder (massive Velcro wrap thing) that feels like a corset and was brilliant at supporting my tummy (and giving me a waist again!). I had it done privately so I doubt that they get given out on the NHS. You can buy them off the internet though.

Ooh that sounds like a great idea Maid. (Just saw this post now). I'll look into getting one of those.