Hi Beverley, My husband had the two inguinal hernias done at the same time. They were both painful. When he was in the hospital, he got up to swat a bee, and felt something 'give' on one side. This was the side that hurt the worst. Unfortuantely he reacted badly to some painkillers, and was violently sick for two days.

Of course, this did nothing for the surgery. He ended up having to have that side re-done some weeks later. This time it did 'take' and felt better for a while, before inflammation set in, and he had to have two steriod injections into it (4 wks apart). Luckily all is well now, but it took a while to get there!

The side that healed ok, still was 'uncomfortable' for a few weeks, but not actually painful. Hope this answers a few questions for you. All the best.