I had a laproscopic hernia repair in December and it was AWEFUL!!!! My repair wasn't normal as I have 9 incisions and a piece of kevlar in my abdomen roughly 10" by 10". I pretty much had every complication conceivable and instead of being in the hospital for 1-2 days it was 2 1/2 weeks. Even then they wanted me to go back in but I refused, I couldn't take it any more. I am still in a lot of pain and can only walk slowly on a treadmill for about 25 minutes until I stop. However, if I had to go to work I would have been able to somewhere around the beginning of week 5. It wouldn't have been pretty, but I would have gotten it done if necessary.
On the other hand DH has had several traditional hernia repairs and finds them to be relatively no problem. He is out for 1-2 weeks until he can't stand being away from work and returns. He may go a few partial days, but by the end of week 2 he is back to full time. The last time his mother had a hernia repaired she played it up and was off of work for 6 weeks. She even made a scene of taking the bus because she "couldn't" drive, yeah right.
I guess it boils down to individuality.
Shayne
ETA: I have had some mysterious illness that a whole team of people can't seem to figure out for over 2 years. Because of this I have been on medical leave for over a year and it sucks. If I had to be the primary income earner for our household I would probably be regarded as your coworker, a total slacker, because I would still be trying to go to work on days when I could. I am not saying he does or doesn't have medical issues, I am just saying that if he does it completely destroys your life and you do your best to get from day to day or more commonly minute to minute.
) & I'm starting to get a little irked picking up his slack. Perhaps unjustified on my part. Any thoughts?
