"My hernia, the Treatment Centre and the Day Case..."

I am a man in my late sixties and, somewhat belatedly, I am leaving a few words about the care I received for my inguinal hernia. My GP arranged an appointment at the Treatment Centre at Good Hope. After booking in I was seen promptly by a consultant who was very pleasant and quickly put me at my ease. As part of the examination I had an ultrasound scan during which the consultant pointed out an artery, a vein and, of course, the hernia. He invited me to cough so I could see it moving. Fascinating. He confirmed that he would repair the hernia for me and gave me a date straight away. Much better than having to wait for another letter. He explained what he would do on the day and I left feeling quite relaxed about it. A few days before my operation I had a Pre-op Assessment at the Treatment Centre. Again nothing to worry about. On the day of the op I was soon shown through to the ward - clean and modern looking. Naturally I don't have any recollection of the op itself, but I woke up with no sickness or pain and feeling fine. Later I was given a cup of tea and some toast. Before being discharged the Sister discussed my aftercare and answered my questions. I was given some paracetamol tablets, two spare dressings, and a contact 'phone number, but I didn't not need these. They 'phoned my neighbour to collect me and I was soon back home. The area of the incision was quite tender initially, and you really don't want to sneeze on the second day as I did, but apart from that I haven't had any pain, just the occasional twinge. Gently massaging the area sorts that out. No sutures to remove as the internal ones are dissolvable and the incision was glued together. I had a follow-up appointment with the consultant eleven days later and he confirmed that everything was fine. I had felt rather anxious about the operation because a friend who'd had the same op had a lot of pain and, two years later, he still has problems. I must emphasise however that his operation was at another hospital and with a different surgeon. My experience at Good Hope was just fine. Everyone was very pleasant and professional and I couldn't have wished for better treatment. Should I develop another hernia, then given the choice, I would like this consultant to repair it for me at Good Hope Hospital. From seeing my GP to having the operation was about three months - very good. Parking at Good Hope, as at many hospitals, is difficult and not cheap, so you might want to take a taxi or get a friend to drop you off and collect you later. It might be an idea to make a "dry run" to see where you have to go. The Treatment Centre is easy to find, but the Day Case Unit is a bit tucked away and you don't want to have to spend time trying to find it on the day of your operation. There is a small parking area right outside the door with space for a few cars, but this is a drop off and collect point only. As the Departments I visited aren't available for selection, I've put Don't Know