Has anybody had abdominal reconstruction due to recurring hernias? [View all]

[woodsprite]

I had surgery Friday, was released yesterday, and am pretty miserable. Including this, I’ve had 7 abdominal surgeries (1 a year for the past 3 yrs) and this has been by far the most painful.

Rib pain is pushing the top of the chart and the pain meds don’t really do much with it. Came home with a drain that may be adding to the pain on the one side. I don’t like the other side effects of the heavier pain meds (a headache and I have to take laxitives while I’m on them.) Part of the surgery was a transversus abdominus release along each side of the rib cage. I’m trying some ice for the pain today.

Anybody have any tips, especially for getting comfortable with the belly band I have to wear. I’m short waisted and it feels like it’s segmenting me like a caterpillar.