Paula's experience with robotic-assisted incisional hernia repair
"I’m shocked by how quickly I've recovered!”
Paula Cleary is a 60-year-old retired educator from Barrhead, Glasgow.
She underwent robotic-assisted surgery for an epigastric incisional hernia repair at Ross Hall Hospital in Glasgow. Her journey and rapid recovery underscore the transformative benefits of advanced robotic surgical technology.
Paula’s story
I had horrible discomfort and waves of nausea. There were a couple of times when I had to push part of the intestine back through. I stopped exercising because it was so uncomfortable, which made me put weight on, which impacted my emotional health. I often felt a dull ache which impacted my ability to do things and slowed me down.
Paula was unable to jog or hill walk with her husband as symptoms of her incisional hernia became increasingly debilitating. She decided to pay for her own private surgery to repair the hernia and get back to an active lifestyle as quickly as possible. One of the many benefits of having private healthcare is that you get to choose your surgeon based on their expertise and skill. Paula chose an abdominal hernia specialist to perform her surgery.
“I read through many of the consultant biographies on the websites. Mr Pawlak has a lot of experience with abdominal wall surgery and has done lots of research. I knew I wanted surgery with him.”
What is an incisional hernia?
An incisional hernia can happen if tissue, like part of your intestine, pushes through a weak spot in your abdominal wall where you have had surgery before. If the incision from your previous surgery didn’t heal as strongly as it should, or if there is an extra strain on that area (such as from lifting heavy objects, gaining weight, or chronic coughing), you might notice a bulge near your old surgical scar. This bulge can become more obvious when you are standing, coughing, or straining. You might feel discomfort, pain, or pressure around the area, especially during physical activity.
Having robotic-assisted transabdominal preperitoneal (rTAPP) surgery
Paula chose robotic-assisted surgery, impressed by its minimal invasiveness, reduced recovery time, and reduced scarring. While she initially didn’t fully appreciate the advantages of robotics until she was recovering from surgery, she felt ready and informed ahead of the robotic-assisted procedure.
Paula had surgery in December 2024 and was discharged the following day. During the procedure, Mr Pawlak also identified and repaired an umbilical hernia, which is a slightly different type of hernia closer to your belly button. He fitted a permanent pro-grip mesh to prevent the hernias from recurring.
“I was so impressed by the timings of everything – it all moved so quickly and efficiently. I was also happy with the cost and feel the whole thing has just been so quick and amazing.”
Robotic surgery leads to a faster recovery time because it is minimally invasive, meaning it uses smaller incisions compared to traditional open surgery. These small incisions cause less damage to surrounding tissues, reduce blood loss, and lower your risk of developing an infection. During surgery, your consultant will reposition the herniated tissue and reinforce the area with sutures, surgical mesh, or both to prevent it from happening again.
Paula’s recovery
Paula made significant strides in her recovery at home within 3.5 weeks post-surgery. She was quickly able to resume light activities, such as walking her dogs, driving and playing the flute. She has no visible scarring, which she is very impressed with.
“I’m shocked by how quickly a recovery I have made. I have no external scarring which is great for my confidence and I can now wear whatever I want without discomfort!”
Paula’s experience with robotic-assisted hernia repair was overwhelmingly positive. She was impressed by the swift timeline from consultation to surgery, the professionalism and care of the staff at Ross Hall Hospital, and the comprehensive consent process and detailed guidance provided by her consultant.
Paula looks forward to resuming long-distance walking with her husband and dogs and hopes to return to the gym soon. She is grateful for the advanced surgical technology and the care she received, which have enabled her to regain her active lifestyle.
The staff were absolutely brilliant. They were all respectful, polite, and professional. I was anxious about the surgery, but very reassured by my consultant and nursing staff – everyone was so lovely. The whole experience was so, so positive.
Get help for an incisional hernia today
You can speak with one of the consultants at Ross Hall Hospital today to discuss hernia surgery. Simply call us or book your first appointment today.
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If you're concerned about symptoms you're experiencing or require further information on this subject, talk to a GP or see an expert consultant at your local Circle Hospital.