Q: During a recent health check-up, my doctor said that I have hernia and need surgery to rectify it. As part of my official life, I may have to travel to US in another 2 months. How long will it take to resume normal life after surgery (both laparoscopy and open surgery)? I am also diagnosed with kidney stones. Can I club the two surgeries if needed? Will the surgery affect my travel?

A:You should be able to resume near normal life within a week, travel within 10 days, and be totally normal in a month. The stone should (usually) be removed by PCNL, which is less invasive and results in early recovery. Laparoscopic hernia and open hernia have similar results, and in any case the kidney surgery is more major surgery.