I'm having umbilical hernia surgery on April 10! A hernia is not at all a big deal, it doesn't hurt at all - until it's an emergency. So the surgery is preventative. It's a small surgery, but since it's abdominal, it has a very long recovery time. I'll be off work for 2 1/2 weeks and can't lift anything heavier than a milk jug for a month! That means no airplane rides for Oatmeal. Mom will be staying with me throughout the recovery, but we could use some help with socializing, driving places, and walking Oatmeal (unfortunately he refuses to leave the house if I'm there, so this might mean bringing your dog over to play or holding the leash while we walk together).