My Hernia Surgery Experience

Given that there are millions of potential hernia patients out there who, like myself, are wondering what this type of surgical experience is like, I thought I'd write a blog about my surgery experience. I will make it fairly detailed for the benefit of others. Collectively, we hernia patients have sooooo many questions.

I decided to investigate the options and had heard about the Shouldice Hospital in Toronto, Ontario, Canada which specializes in hernia surgery. I decided to pursue that option based on their track record and the fact that the Shouldice clinic has done over 250,000 of them.

They have a website through which you can obtain the necessary application forms for admission. You need to be assessed by a medical doctor beforehand of course - either your own physician or theirs, but you can apply directly to the clinic without being explicitly referred by another doctor. Being in a different city, my general physician did the initial diagnosis of two inguinal hernias. I did not have to wait for a referral or be seen by another surgeon prior to making my booking. This is an excellent, efficient health care model.

Once your application is received and assessed, you are given a surgery date and advised whether you have to loose weight (fat). Apparently they are fairly strict about your body mass index rating and will prescribe a diet for you if they feel it is necessary. In my case, this was not required.

I await surgery and will follow up with posts about my experience once completed.