hernia surgery.. stressing!

appylovee

the reality that my 5 week old son is having surgery in a couple days, finally hit me. I know it's a surgery that is donne quiet often, especially in preemies, but Im definatly starting to freak out and can feel an anxiety attack coming on. The thought of seeing him on a vent, with a ng tube and on alot of meds is making me cry. He's never been on any of those. I'm on zoloft ( just started it a week ago for post pardum anxiety & post pardum depression) and ativan as needed but I doubt any amount of ativan will be able to prevent the impending anxiety attacks.. hes only 5 weeks old, and barely 4 & 1/2 lbs, on lasix for a large vsd and isnt even 40 weeks adjusted yet. if youve gone through this, how did you handle it? how quickly did lo recover? Im single, and the "sperm donor" as I kindly dubbed him is not involved, I dont talk to my father, my mom just had her 3rd brain surgery, so Im kind of in this alone..

ashk7

I am sorry I don't have any advice on surgery, but wanted to let you know you are in my t&p!! I know what it's like to have anxiety issues I was on Zoloft for that as well before dd, went off to get pregnant and haven't went back on yet. I still have panic attacks and have found a few  things that help me with or without medication. Deep breathing really helps me. You are a strong momma and can do this! Here's to a safe surgery and a speedy recovery for your LO!! Sending lots of hugs!!!

snoangel79

I know exactly how you feel!! My Allison had the surgery (double iniguial hernia repair) They usually repair both sides because there's a good chance the other side has an issue too. She had the surgery on April 26 and she is doing fabulous! You would never know!! She was about 8 1/2 weeks old or about a month really. She weighed just over 6lbs. She did really well! They did not let me go in and see her with the tube down her throat. We stayed overnight for observation, the surgery  took about an hour... I'm so glad it's done because her hernia would pop out and I'd have a ton of trouble sticking it back in and she'd scream in pain! I know it's hard but it needs to be done or your LO could end up with a worse problem (if it's bad enough that they are doing now it needs to be fixed). Thoughts and Prayers are with you and LO!! Once you leave the hospital remember to stay up on the pain meds for about 24 hours (it's just usually tylenol), and possibly give gas drops. My daughter had much discomfort pooping for like 1 week and she'd scream because it was making it's way near her surgery scars. Kinda of like what you felt like if you has a c-section and went poop the first few weeks... Your LO will do great and just think LO won't be at risk of starving the oxygen supply off of one of his organs which obviously would be a horrible scenario compared to this one!!

katie4253

Gabe had surgery for his hernia.  It wasn't bad at all.  He was out of the NICU, but he wasn't even 10lbs when he had the surgery.  You should ask them to check the other side when they do the surgery to make sure there isn't a hernia starting (that's what they did for Gabe and there was an area of weakness they saw and repaired).  It prevented a 2nd surgery. 

Hugs to you.  I know surgery is scary.  But, he'll do great I'm sure!  

OhGillian

I'm sorry you are so worried. My DS also had a bilateral inguinal hernia repair. I didn't see him with any tubes in, if that helps at all.

To be honest, the hardest part of the experience was that I couldn't feed him after midnight, and even though his surgery was the first one on the docket, it still took awhile to get him sent back for it. He was hungry and he screamed and cried for perhaps an hour while we were back in the pre-surgery area, waiting. Every 10 minutes someone would "helpfullly" suggest a pacifier. By the 5th suggestion, I was ready to scream, too. At any rate, that was the hardest part.

Good luck!

AlwaysSunny925

I'm so sorry you are going through this alone.  My son just had a double inguinal hernia repair two weeks ago.  He was back to his normal self within a few hours, just needed some Tylenol for pain.  Prayers that the surgery goes well.  I know it's tough to see your LO go through something like that.  Between both of my boys we have gone through 9 surgeries.  It is definitely stressful!

Medtwin

what kind of hernia surgery is he having?? my daughter had a hiatal hernia (in her belly) & the double inguinal hernia, a gtube placed & a belly button hernia repair.. soo it was alot for us.  she was just 4 lbs too.. she stayed intubated for about 3 days.. but she handled everything really well.  It's certainly scary..find out how long the surgery is going to take & go out & do something.. take your mind off things.

Good luck!