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My dear aunt (83) has a hernia. The doctor saw her. It might become a strangulated hernia. Does anyone have experience with a successful operation of a hernia for an elderly person?



Thanks in advance!

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Any hernia can involve strangulated bowel if the bowel enters into the open space, so to speak, and gets caught. That is honestly the only reason ever to address them. However, your Aunt is of an age. I myself would opt for immediate emergency room care in the case of abdominal pain, and otherwise letting it alone. Anesthesia would be my worry. As to the experience of others, it amounts to just that, as any medical condition varies patient to patient about as much as our own fingerprints. Sure wish you the best. I would get a few opinions from surgeons and from other MD, as well, because as my old Dad used to say "Surgeons cut, cut, cut. It's what they DO".
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sounhappy Oct 2022
Thanks!

“I myself would opt for immediate emergency room care in the case of abdominal pain, and otherwise letting it alone. Anesthesia would be my worry.”

My aunt indeed has stomach pain. That’s the point.

Non-painful hernia: not dangerous. You can leave it alone.

Painful hernia: dangerous. You can still live with it and be lucky: it might not reach the point of strangulation.

Anyway, we’ve decided against preventative operation.
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Update:
I prayed all night last night.

Things are much better today. My aunt, full of energy, no pain. (Yesterday a lot of pain from the hernia).

We’ve decided against preventative operation. The plan is: if in the future, the hernia gets closer and closer to strangulation, then I’ll try to make an appointment with a surgeon. The rate of success of hernia operation is higher by appointment, than in ER. When you’ve made an appointment, you try to choose a surgeon you trust.
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It is mostly minor surgery. However if it becomes strangled, then it becomes a major surgery or she dies a painful death
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sounhappy Oct 2022
Yes. We’ll call a doctor for an opinion on whether to go ahead with the operation now. Better now than after strangulation.
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Mom had an operation for hernia at around 85. She said she wasn’t a good candidate for surgery, and who knows where she got that idea, but she came through it fine.
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sounhappy Oct 2022
Fantastic, I see! Great for your mom.
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I’ve heard it can be a quick operation. I’m worried about the anaesthetics.
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