Can you die from hernia surgery?

Question

Well, my grandpa has a hernia, and we all [even him] just found out today and he's going to have the surgery in a couple weeks. I've looked it up a little bit and it seems like you can't die from it.

Could he? also: How long do you think [just estimate] it's going to take him to recover?

If you answer, thanks! :)

Answer 1

The anesthesiologist and surgeon will consider your grandpa's age and current health, and that has a great deal to do with the possibility of complications. For a person in good overall health, hernia surgery (inguinal?) is safe, and in fact the complications that could arise from not treating the hernia could be far more life threatening. For example, a loop of intestine could slip out through the hernia and become strangulated -- it gets compressed to the point where no blood can flow into it.

Not sure how old your grandpa is, but in many cases this surgery can be done on an outpatient basis -- same day surgery. He'll be walking around that same day, althought there will be discomfort that can be taken care of with pain medication. It will take 6-8 weeks in general for complete healing but during that time he will gradually increase his activities and the pain will decrease quickly.  

Answer 2

You can die from any surgery, there is always that risk; however hernia ops are one of the most common surgeries performed. It's a routine procedure and the risk of complications is very low.

He will be at less risk, and also recover faster if he is healthy - doesn't smoke, active, at a healthy weight, no other conditions that could affect how his body copes with the strain.

Best of luck :)

Answer 3

Hate to say it but you can die from any surgery. That being said the risks in  hernia operation are very low, keyhole surgery is the better option. Depending on age it will take at least 2 months to fully recover.

Answer 4

there is possibilty of complications in any surgery, whether it be infection or a mistake on the surgeons part. hernias are easily operated on though.  

Answer 5

A hernia is a protrusion of usually a loop of bowel or a tissue through an opening in the wall of the abdominal cavity in which the bowel lies. Hernias are one of the most common conditions requiring surgery. A hernia is a protrusion of usually a loop of bowel or a tissue through an opening in the wall of the abdominal cavity in which the bowel lies. Hernias can occur in men and women of all ages and in children (see Pediatric Hernia Repair). Hernias can develop around the navel, in the groin, or any place where you may have had a surgical incision. Some hernias are present at birth. Others develop slowly over a period of months or years. Hernias may also come on quite suddenly.

Anatomy

    * The abdominal wall in the groin area is made up of different structures going from deep to superficial layers (Figure 1 and 2):

         1. Peritoneum - the lining of the abdominal cavity (becomes the hernia sac)

         2. Subperitoneal fat - fat beneath the peritoneum

         3. Transversalis fascia - sheet of fibrous tissue that envelops the peritoneum

         4. Transversus abdominis muscle

         5. Internal oblique muscle

         6. External oblique muscle

         7. Subcutaneous fat

         8. Skin