Hi Tom,
Hope I didn't scare you with all my "bad experience". I think it's better to be prepared by knowing what could happen, that way when your experience is easier, you'll feel lucky.
Remember, open procedure is very different than a laproscopic. My dr said the lap procedure would have me back at work in 6 weeks, open procedure would be at least 8 weeks. So tell Mom to be patient!
katskidney