Positive post-surgery report!
Bio: 37 y/o woman, 12 weeks postpartum after 2nd c-section
Hernia: incisional, ventral, reducible, 3cm, slightly left of midline
Other complications: significant abdominal wall damage, 4cm diastasis recti, significant scar tissue adhesions, prior open appendectomy and two c-sections
Surgical repair: Robotic, retrorectus with 12.5cm round polypropylene ProGrip mesh, DR repair with sutures from belly button down; four small incisions with the largest being one re-cut over my prior appendectomy scar
Pain report: Insanely better than a c-section. No comparison. Day 0= 0 (still high af, went to bed); Day 1-5= 3; Day 4-10= 1.5. I've been more sore than in pain but stayed ahead of it by taking my meds on a strict schedule for the first 4 days. After day 4, I just took them as needed. Only took one oxy the night of day 1 and one the night of day 2. My surgeon administered Exparel which I think was a life saver. I was scared of the pain after it was supposed to wear off but I didn't even notice. I had a bit of a sore mid back from trying to avoid using my core for about the first 7 days.
Hi all! I'm 10 days out from my hernia and DR repair and wanted to pop in to help anyone who might have similar circumstances. I read this sub constantly for weeks before my surgery and was actually quite terrified and appreciated the positive stories to ease my anxiety. Hopefully my story helps. I am 3 months postpartum after a second c-section that had significant complications afterward due to surgical injury that led to two abscesses and a subsequent hospitalization when I was 3 weeks pp. The abscesses led to a damaged abdominal wall which is believed to have caused the hernia. Hernia was confirmed by examination and CT with contrast on May 20, 2026 and I had surgery June 19, 2026. Surgeon did discuss possibility of waiting up to 6 months postpartum to allow scar tissue and inflammation from the c-section to settle more, but I elected to just get it over with.
I will say I was so so so anxious about this surgery that I almost canceled it but knew my quality of life would be impacted as surgery would be inevitable at some point. I arrived at the hospital in the morning, changed into the gown and grippy socks, was prepped by a nurse who got my IV started and offered me a benzo to ease my nerves. I accepted. Highly recommend taking the drugs!! I spoke with the surgeon and he answered all of my questions and also let me see the mesh they would be using. He also let me take a piece of it home lol. I was wheeled into the OR and anesthesia informed me they had started the meds and last thing I saw was the light above me fade out. Sugery ended up being more complex than initially thought due to the extent of scar tissues and abdominal wall damage so it took about 6 hours when I was originally told it would be 90 min to 3 hours.
I woke up in the recovery bay feeling great, was quite high and in good spirits. The most discomfort I felt was the gas pain. Staff had me up and walking short laps immediately, I ate a popsicle, and then my husband came to bring me home after about 2 hours in recovery. Overall, I was at the hospital for 12 hours which I believe is quite a lot longer than most people who have this surgery.
I had to pump and dump once but was cleared to breastfeed after, however I chose to give it 24 hours post-surgery to feed my baby again. That night, I went to bed, was able to lay down flat and comfortably. This is something I couldn't do after a c-section. It was also completely fine getting out of bed. I really never had any pain pain, I would call it more discomfort and soreness than anything. Anyway, I'm healing up great, my belly is still swollen a little bit but otherwise I'm very happy with my choice to get the surgery. Happy to answer any other questions.