I have to have a hernia operation, around the belly button. Better to do general or local anesthetic?
535764
That is up to your surgeon, not  you. Sorry. Give his nurse a call, she'll/he'll have the correct answer for you, not us, anyway,haha.
251700
Are you sure it is a hernia?\nI have had a hiatal hernia for 40 years that does not bother me. If it is in your lower abdomin you should probably have it fixed. It could be dangerous if your intestine is strangulated! Even deadly. The lower abdomen is the place where they are the most dangerous.
313554
I had all four of mine pulled. No pain they numb the area. fist they use a qtip looking thing to numb so you don't feel when they apply the anesthesia. You are awake and don't feel a thing. However you do hear everything that is going on. You will be fine it is not that bad.
734080
Hi, I am 47 and I recently had an operation to remove my blocked lymph node, also in my right armpit. The operation was done quickly with an anaesthetic injected into my armpit. No fuss, quick cut, quick scratch out, disinfectant (flush out). They do not stitch under your arm because of the fear of infection. After the operation, you have to flush the wound each morning and evening or more often if need be,  with hot water (as hot as you can bear) and then disinfect the wound with alchohol or suitable equivalent! Cover the wound lightly with lint and use a plaster (each time you flush) to fix it in place under your arm. After a couple of weeks, the "operation hole" closes naturally, and you are left with a little scar of about 1cm!\n\nI understand your thoughts fully though, I thought exactly the same..oh no..cancer, so I went straight to the emergency unit here in Switzerland and left without the lump after about 2 hours, most of which was waiting time!\n\nBut, I am not a doctor, so the best you can do is consult your GP first of all! Good luck!
718905
I had my hernia repaired after three years. I now know that I probably didn't need surgery at all. I faked the pain and was operated on within a few hourse.\n\nIf a hernia is asymptomatic in nature, i.e. minimal pain, almost no symptoms, then it is possible to wait for years without needing surgery, or in some cases not undergo surgery at all. Most hernias will likely need to be repaired at some point, and the important thing to know is that not all repaired hernias stay that way!\n\nA hernia is basically a weakness in the muscle wall which allows underlying tissue to 'poke out'. The most common hernias present in the groin. Men and women can be affacted, though it's more common in males. Doctors believe that most hernias are caused by slight defects during fetal development, except for 'sliding' hiatus hernias which are caused by Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD).\n\nIMPORTANT: If you have a hernia and you are experiencing elevated pain you should consult a doctor immediately. Hernias can be life threatening. They can cause blockages, o bleeding, or interfere with the normal operation of near-by organs.
1146440
no effect at all on your tumy tuck, dont worry, the laparoscopic surgery is much less invasive than a laparotomy ( to cut your belly like  in a c seccion) anyways, the air will be removed from your belly after the surgery, you will get swollen a little bit but in one week or less you'll be as normal as before the surgery.
554834
Actually, there's really nothing much to the surgery. I had a lapascopy(not sure of spelling) it's where they use a camera.All they did,was to cut 4 tiny incisions which are not noticable at all unless I point them out. If you opt for the surgery, it's usually just an overnight stay and you're good to go home the next morning unless there are unforseen complications like in my case. Don't mean to scare you but I had unforseen complications but this is very very rare. It was only because I was already in such grave(no pun intended)condition. I thought I was just suffering from real bad heartburn so by the time I took my self to the emergency room, my gallbaldder was about to burst, so I was rushed into surgery and the doctor doing it didn't get the whole infection out or something. But you should have nothing to worry about. I was a rare case. Everyone else I seen in the hospital during my stay went home the next day just feeling fine and dandy. Good luck in whatever you decide. I would opt for the surgery now before your condition worsens like mine did.
336214
you could have a hernia talk to your doc
1042595
simple test for appendicitis is the rebound test.  \nGet someone to locate the spot midway between your belly button and the boney prominance sticking out on the front of your pelvis (anterior superior iliac spine).  Press into the tissue and then release the pressure.  If you experience great pain upon releasing the pressure, then it is probably appendicitis.  In this case you better go to the hospital or you may die.\n\nIf this proves not to be appendicites then it could be that your diaphram is spasming.  If you know how to do deep diaphramatic breathing then I would suggest you do this exercise until the pain is alleviated.  Try 4-6 times and avoid hyperventilation.\n\nPS.  gall bladder pain radiates to just between the shoulder blades, moreso on the right side, not the left.  If you do not have this referral pattern, then it is not gallbladder
809922
I am a RN who has  taught Nursing for over 20 years.  I have also had a Laparoscopy and D&C performed when I was in my 30's.  Of course everyone responds to surgeries differently but it seems to me that I had one week vacation following that surgery.  I also went back to work 10 days after abdominal surgery for a small bowel resection because I was needed back at work but didn't lift anything of considerable weight.  I would think that if your husband is able to take one week off from work to help out at home with the kids that that should be sufficient.  Just don't try to lift the kids and explain to them that you have a tummy ache which they should understand.  I'm sure they will be glad to assist you.  As for pain this is also very individual.  I was given pain medication by my physician and found that this covered my pain pretty well.  Since the incisions for a laparoscopy are so small they didn't hurt at all.  The gas was somewhat uncomfortable but warm baths seemed to help until it was resorbed by my body.  The pain medication helped the crampy feeling from the D&C and I was on my feet much of each day.  How fortunate you are to have a husband to help you out.  I'm pretty sure that you will be feeling your usual self again in 7-10 days.  Good luck to you and God bless.
1037738
i had my gallbladder out in march and the surgery is actually really routine. if you are healthy enough for laproscopic surgery, they will make three small incisions (one under your breastbone, one midway down your right side, and one in your belly button), and the surgery will just take about 45 minutes. they use general anesthesia, so you'll be out for the whole thing. the recovery period isn't too bad ... my doctor told me to take a week off from work and that seems about average. make sure you keep up with your pain killers while you recover.\n\nthe most uncomfortable part of recovery for me was from the carbon dioxide they pump in your body in order to move around more freely during the surgery. i was told that my shoulders would be sore for 18 hours, but it was actually closer to a full week for me. i couldn't do anything without pain in my shoulders from the CO2 that was still trying to dissipate. once that finally happened, i felt like i could pretty much go about normal life.\n\nif you are overweight, your doctor may suggest traditional surgery, where an incision is made to remove the organ. recovery time for this surgery can be up to 6 weeks.\n\ngood luck!
449804
I had gall bladder surgery 3 years ago. They did it laporscopically which means they went through my belly button and mad 3 small incisions in my stomach. Since it is in the stomach region, they do consider it major surgery, however, after having it I really don't think it is that bad. I stayed in the hospital overnight and then went home the next day. I did have a little pain at the hospital in my back and shoulders because when they pump your abdomen when air so they can work easily around the organs, it leaves tiny air bubbles inside you when they take the air out, so that was uncomfortable but I didn't feel it anymore after 2 or 3 days. My abdomen was really sore and when I walked around it would have a few sharp pains if it jiggled or something but I had some pretty good medicenes that helped me out. The recovery was pretty easy acctually. After a week I was doing really well. I still had pain but not as bad at all. I could start doing things at 2 weeks like going places. And I had to stay on a really low fat diet for about 6 weeks because the gall bladder helps digest fat and since I didn't have that anymore, fat runs through me faster and could make me sick. So after 6 weeks, my body was used to this change and could go back to eating reguarly. Not to say that fatty foods are okay to eat even after the 6 week mark because sometimes I get really bad diarea still (after 3 yrs) because my body doesnt have the gall bladder. All in all I am pretty normal still. I don't even notice a change really. I eat a normal diet so everything is fine. Good luck and don't be scared. It goes smoothly and quickly and you'll be fine.
719924
Yes you can go under general anesthesia..but usually that's only givin during extractions and/or dental surgery\n\nif it's only a regular appointment (drilling, filling..etc) I'm not sure if a dentist will permit that esp. that some procedures require the patient's cooperation\n\nask ur dentist to give u a sedative..that may help
980409
I am about to have a hernia operation. I have had it for about 7 years (that I know of). It is bothersome from time to time, but if it doesn't bother you much, you can live with it. \n\nThey have no way of knowing how long you have had it. They can't deny it for pre-existing. \n\nI have to pay 20% - my total cost will be around $600.00 - so I would wait until you have insurance.
432249
I work as a surgical tech and we do MANY laparoscopic cases daily.  Half of the cases we do are done completely laparascopic or laparoscopic-assisted.  It is by far the fastest recovery of any invasive (i.e. surgical) procedure and your wife will be on her feet in no time.  It is the procedure I would choose if I were in your wife's situation.\n\nThe incision sites are not even an inch long and she'll probably have only two or three.  Most doctors inject local anesthetic to relieve pain and discomfort and by the time it wears off, she'll be well enough to control pain with an OTC pain reliever.  \n\nThough there are risks with any kind of anesthesia and surgery, the chances of something happening are slim, especially if your wife has good general health.  I know most people are scared of surgery.  Please know from one who has been in the field for awhile it is quite safe and your wife will have an excellent team working for her health and safety.  Talk to your doctor about your concerns, they can address specifics.  Please email me if you have any questions.
751194
A hernia operation will probably make it safer for you to carry and deliver a baby. With a hernia, it's possible for strangulation of an intestine, which would be a worse problem. Modern hernia surgery is much easier than earlier. Talk to your doctor, but I think it's safe.
584299
They usually do sedation, not general anesthesia.  Are you having a superior hypogastric plexus block with a combination anesthetic/steroid mixture?  Studies have shown good results in women with chronic pelvic pain who underwent the blocks.  Some women had to return for 2, 3 and even 4 blocks before the pain relief became effective, but all tolerated the procedure well with minimal side effects.  This is performed typically on an outpatient basis and you should not experience any major side effects or complications.  Good luck, I hope it brings you relief.\n\nI do want note one thing...hysterectomy is not a cure for Endo. That is an outdated myth that speaks to the old wive's tale that if you don't have a period, you can't have Endo.  This is totally untrue.  As long as there is residual disease left in the body, it will continue to cause symptoms. Anyone telling you differently does not understand modern concepts of treatment, Aromatase expression in Endo lesions, or is outright lying to you.  Please don't suffer needlessly or undergo a hysterectomy you might not need...there are specialty centers in the U.S. that perform excision of the disease from all locations, leading to the long-term relief of Endo. See www.endometriosistreatment.org and www.centerforendo.com to learn more.