Cary Kluenenberg was feeling some definite angst about whether he should go in for another hernia surgery. After all, he had two previous groin hernia surgeries, so he knew what he was in for regarding pain and recovery. However, he knew he needed another surgery and realized it had to be done.
A groin hernia happens when tissue bulges through a weak spot in the groin's muscle wall. This causes a bulge in the groin and can be painful. A hernia will not go away on its own, but hernia surgery can relieve the pain and eliminate the bulge.
In Cary's first surgery, he had an open inguinal (groin) hernia repair with mesh on both his left and right sides, but five years later, the right side hernia recurred and needed to be repaired. His second hernia surgery was another open inguinal hernia repair with mesh.
The second surgery has held solid but was pretty invasive, with a painful recovery and a three to four-inch scar.
The left side hernia recurred earlier this year. "I would be doing something physical, and it would just ache so bad that I thought, I have got to get this repaired. I can't keep going like this," said Cary.
Cary had heard good things about general surgeon Dr. Brett Glawe of Perham Health and consulted with him about his options.
Dr. Glawe explained the surgical options, including having it done the same way as in the past or laparoscopically. Dr. Glawe explains, "The laparoscopic method has the benefits of approaching the hernia differently than the open approach. It also utilizes a camera and small instruments to do the surgery, which keeps the incisions smaller."
Cary was interested in laparoscopic surgery because it offered the benefits of being less invasive, only having three small incisions, less pain, and better recovery.
Dr. Glawe notes, "The same-day laparoscopic surgery consists of the patient coming to the surgery department where our excellent nurses prepare the patient for the procedure. The procedure is performed, and the patient recovers for one to two hours. Once the patient can tolerate a diet and pain is controlled, they are discharged home." Dr. Glawe added that Cary's operation took approximately 90 minutes.
"After Dr. Glawe started explaining the differences and the way he does the laparoscopy, I had a big feeling of relief. I'm like; this sounds like it'll be a lot better. He made me feel comfortable and answered all my pre, during, and post-surgery questions. He is very personable with an excellent bedside manner," explains Cary.
Cary works in a large, 88,000-square-foot building and has to walk the entire building in the morning. "I have to go through and inspect and walk the whole plant. So the first week after the surgery, I just took my time, but it didn't bother me that much after that. I was amazed."
Cary is happy with his care at Perham Health and his choice to have the surgery laparoscopically. "The pain level was at least five times less than before. Recovery, in general, was a lot faster, too, because I wasn't in as much pain," Cary comments.
My sister told me, 'You look much better than the last time.' And I said, 'I feel a lot better.'"
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