My Experience

I had a hernia and it was recommended that I get it surgically corrected. I went to hospital that specialized exclusively in hernia repair in Toronto, Canada. They used a non-laproscopic approach. I was only able to obtain an appointment relatively soon due to a cancellation.

Before the surgery I was advised to lose 12 pounds to reach a specified weight. The hospital prescribed a low carbohydrate diet (e.g., no bread, pasta, rice, potatoes, etc.). I followed the diet and lost 14 pounds (which was a positive result for me).

I arrived at the hospital a day before the procedure. I was weighed and received various blood and blood pressure tests. The hospital insists that the patient must be a designated weight (in line with height) or they will not perform the surgery. My understanding is that they believe the patient will not heal as well if there is fat tissue near the muscles that are being operated on.

On the day of surgery I was not allowed to eat anything before the operation. I was given some pain killer pills an hour before surgery and then a local anesthetic during the surgery. The operation took approximately 45 minutes. I then returned to my room to recuperate.

I was told most patients are expected to get out of bed four hours after the operation and walk around their room. Dinner was served in my room the day of surgery. I experienced dizziness and nausea for about 10 hours after the surgery. At that point I was able to get out of bed and take a short walk.

The next day I woke up feeling sore from the incision and staples that were inserted. I was able to walk to the dining room for breakfast and then returned to my room to have half of my staples removed. The hospital encourages its patients to walk as much as possible and has long hallways that are suitable for this purpose.

The following morning the remainder of my staples were removed and I was allowed to go home. I had arrived at noon on a Sunday and went home at 9:30 am on Wednesday. Two weeks after the surgery I was healing well. I still have some minor bleeding along the incision but other than that I am on the mend.