My Surgeons office advises me to plan to be out of work for 4 to 6 weeks. I have an office job... Does this sound right to a lot of you?

I've had two umbilical hernia surgeries....both open wounds......both were a month of time off work.

The first was done at my current weight......and I needed longer to recover. The second one followed a huge diet and exercise push that found me 120 lbs lighter. I still took 4 weeks off......but the recovery was much, much easier.

I've regained that weight......and have another umbilical hernia that's going to be repaired when I have my bypass. Hoping that 3rd time is a charm.

I'm planning on taking 6 weeks for the bypass-hernia surgery recovery this next time.

My job is a manufacturing supervisor. Some desk.....more walking around. Long shifts 13-14 hours. Were I going back to an 8 hour desk job it may have been quicker, however sitting at a desk is not easy with umbilical hernia repair for long periods.

Hint: a well placed pillow slightly pressed over the area really helped me those first few weeks of home recovery.

I wish you the best and hope that you can take the time you need to properly heal. Part of me feels that I rushed it and caused myself the "next" umbilical hernia.....and the next.