Laproscopic surgery is the way to go!
I walked...well, wobbled...out of the hospital the day of the surgery. I was off the consciousness damping pain meds within 10 days, and off OTC pain meds at 2 weeks. But for the occasional night of fitful sleep induced by the occasional twinge, I was essentially fully healed by that time. 3 weeks, completely asymptomatic. I need not fear the pouncing of my poochies.
In contrast, my dad had hernia surgery when he was about 10 years younger than I am now, so on average, he should have healed better. And yet, he walked hunched over like an ancient sage for at least a couple of weeks...after he got out of his stay at the hospital.