A Little Concerned

Hello, All!

Let me start out by saying that I am still VERY pre-op. I have four months before things can be submitted for insurance approval, but something came up at my first appointment with the nurse practitioner yesterday that I hope that someone who is post-op might have some insight to. I'm also planning on posting this to the Veterans forum.

In December 1980, I had my gallbladder removed in an open procedure. Fast forward to April 2009 when I had a laproscopic hysterectomy. At that time I also had an umbilical hernia repaired that had been caused by adhesions from the surgery in 1980. Fast forward again to yesterday when I had my medical history taken and went over all my previous surgeries. Last night I got a phone call from the nurse practitioner. She had spoken to the surgeon about the hernia repair and now the surgeon wants me to get the "surgical notes" from the other surgeon due to the fact that a mesh patch was used to make the repair. Does any one know if this rules out a laproscopic procedure? Do I need to start mentally preparing myself for open surgery, a longer hospitalization and a longer recovery? It's really had me stressed out. If I have to have an open procedure, we need to start planning my husband's time off differently and possibly not take that week of vacation.

Anything that any one can tell me about surgery after having "mesh" put in will be greatly appreciated.

Robin