Getting Ready for Hernia Surgery: What to Ask Your Healthcare Provider

Getting the news that you need hernia surgery in Orange County is often overwhelming, and it’s completely understandable to feel anxious. However, the best way to calm some of those fears is by developing an open and honest conversation with your hernia specialist. 

How do you do that? By asking questions. Here are some essential inquiries to get the conversation started. 

Understanding Your Hernia Diagnosis

First and foremost, patients must understand their hernia diagnosis. There are several misconceptions about hernias, such as that treatment only means pushing them back in or that they only appear in the groin. Both of these are false, which is why understanding the particular hernia type is critical to a one’s overall health.

Start by asking for the hernia type, location, and reasons why the hernia might have occurred. The next question should cover the hernia’s severity. If caught early, the hernia might present as asymptomatic—for now. That doesn’t mean symptoms won’t develop, but it’s good to know if a patient is at low risk for an emergent situation.

Likewise, if the hernia is already incarcerated (cannot return to its original place), patients need to understand that the next step in hernia progression is strangulation and emergency surgery—especially if they continue unhealthy habits or strenuous activities.

A hernia specialist typically provides care guidelines for the weeks leading up to the surgery to help prevent the hernia from worsening, regardless of its severity. Hernias don’t go away on their own, and the sooner patients receive surgical repair, the better.

Specifics of the Surgical Procedure

There are two main hernia repair surgery types: open and laparoscopic. Open hernia repair involves a large abdominal incision to give the surgeon complete access to the hernia. Laparoscopic procedures are minimally invasive and require only a few small incisions, typically resulting in shorter recovery periods.

Some experienced hernia specialists also perform robotic hernia repair surgery. This minimally invasive approach is very similar to a laparoscopy but uses advanced instruments for enhanced precision. Depending on the patient, robotic surgery might include a single incision or multiple small incisions.

Many patients prefer minimally invasive procedures, but they should ask their specialist if that’s an option. Laparoscopic or robotic procedures are often not ideal for patients with underlying hernia complications or more severe hernias.

Once they know the procedure type, patients should ask what the hernia surgery process actually entails. For example:

• What are the options for hernia surgery near me?
• How long does the procedure last?
• What type of anesthesia do you use?
• How many incisions does the procedure require?
• What happens if there are complications?

Potential Risks and Complications

Speaking of complications, patients should also ask about potential risks. While hernia repair surgery is a fairly standard operation, every procedure brings some level of risk. The most common complications usually include infection and hernia recurrence, but things like hernia mesh failure and nerve damage are also possible.

Patients should ask about the risks associated with their particular procedure and the surgeon’s success rate. Having a discussion about hernia recurrence is also ideal since it’s quite common. Other questions include:

• Are there any added risks due to my medical history?
• What measures have you put in place to handle unforeseen complications? 
• Is there anything I can do to reduce the risks between now and the surgery?
• What is the success rate for this procedure?

Pre-Surgery Medical Assessments

The next questions should cover pre-op assessments. Some patients might only need a blood test, while others require more advanced testing like a hernia ultrasound or EKG.

The hernia specialist usually determines what tests are needed based on the patient’s comorbidities and potential surgical risk. They want to see if there are any underlying conditions that might affect the patient’s reaction to anesthesia, the overall procedure success, and the patient’s recovery.

During these tests, the patient should ask the following:

• Why do I need this test?
• What are you looking for with this assessment?
• What happens if the results are not ideal?

Anesthesia Considerations

Not only does the hernia repair surgery carry risks, but so does the anesthesia—hence some of the pre-op tests to complete an anesthesia risk assessment. Even with those tests, patients should mention any underlying conditions like kidney problems, high blood pressure, and diabetes since they all increase the risk of adverse anesthesia reactions.

People should also ask about the different types of anesthesia used, such as intravenous and inhalational anesthetics. Hernia repair surgeries usually require general anesthesia, so local anesthetics are usually not an option. However, it’s worth asking about the different types of anesthesia drugs and potential side effects—especially with certain underlying conditions.

Medications and Supplements

Reviewing medications is standard procedure for a hernia repair consult. However, the surgeon might not specifically ask about any over-the-counter supplements. Or perhaps the patient starts a new medication between the initial consultation and the surgery date.

Either way, the patient should ask for guidance on which medications and supplements they should discontinue. Several prescription drugs and over-the-counter pills have been reported to delay the healing process, cause excessive bleeding, and even interfere with anesthesia.

As such, patients should provide the surgeon with a complete list of their regular medications and supplements. If there are any that the patient must pause, they should clarify how long before the surgery they need to stop them and how soon after surgery they should resume. 

Dietary and Lifestyle Recommendations

Just as with medications, patients should ask about any necessary lifestyle changes leading up to the hernia surgery in Orange County. Potential questions include:

• Are there any foods I need to avoid?
• What type of diet is best before and after surgery?
• What types of exercises are safe, and which ones should I avoid?
• How soon should I stop smoking/drinking?

Day-of-Surgery Logistics

As the surgery date approaches, patients should ask about logistics. This helps them prepare for the procedure, ask for time off from work (with advance notice), and schedule rides or at-home support.

Here are a few questions to consider:

• What time should I arrive for the hernia surgery near me?
• What time is the actual surgery?
• How long does the pre-op evaluation take?
• What do I need to bring?
• Do I need to fast before the surgery?
• How long does the surgery last?
• What is the expected post-op discharge time?
• Is it a same-day discharge, or do I need to stay overnight?
• Do I need a support person?
• How long does it take for the anesthesia to wear off?

Costs, Insurance, and Financial Considerations

In addition to surgery day preparations, patients should prioritize finances. During one of the initial consultations, they should ask the hernia specialist for the complete cost breakdown of the surgery, anesthesia, and any extra fees.

The next step is then contacting their insurance company. Hernias are generally considered a medical necessity, meaning insurance companies usually pay for some—if not all—of the expenses. However, each coverage plan is different, so patients need to confirm their out-of-pocket expenses.

Ideally, this conversion with the insurance company should happen well before the surgery so the patient has time to arrange their finances. They might set up a payment plan with the surgeon or even take out a personal loan.

Post-Operative Recovery Expectations

Another important discussion should cover post-op and recovery expectations. The surgeon might explain some of this when reviewing surgical procedures and risks, but patients should make sure they fully understand the recovery time. 

Some helpful questions include:

• How long is the expected recovery period? 
• What are the first few post-op days like?
• How much pain do patients typically experience?
• What medication do you prescribe for the pain?
• What are my post-op care guidelines?
• How soon can I return to work?
• How soon can I resume my regular activities?
• What types of movements and exercises are okay after the surgery?

Follow-Up Appointments and Care

Part of the recovery process includes follow-up appointments. Surgeons usually want to see patients within the first week of recovery and then periodically over the following months. Even if people feel these appointments are unnecessary, they should still attend to help reduce potential post-op complications like hernia recurrence.

A few questions to ask include:

• How often do I need to come in for follow-up appointments?
• What do you check during those appointments? 
• What are the warning signs I need to watch for?
• Are there any specific post-op care instructions I should follow?

Emotional and Mental Preparation

Lastly, patients should talk honestly with their hernia repair specialist about emotional and mental preparation. Stress affects the body and its healing process, so it’s best to focus on relaxation techniques leading up to the surgery. The surgeon can also offer anxiety reduction tips and support group resources for hernia surgery in Orange County.

Conclusion

Preparing for hernia surgery is often stressful—but don’t let your nerves get the best of you. Establishing an open conversation with your hernia specialist can help you become a proactive and informed advocate for your health. Plus, it helps you set realistic expectations for hernia surgery in Orange County. The more you know how to prepare, the better your surgical outcomes.

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