Alamak, I totally understand the worry! A few of us mum friends also ada babies dengan hernia yang sama situation, bulge comes and goes, but baby tak sakit or fussy, and honestly the waiting period is the stressful part more than the baby's discomfort. Since your doctor is monitoring every 4-5 months and has set an operation date closer to age 2.5, that's actually the standard approach doctors use because smaller hernias sometimes close on their own by that age, and operating when baby is a bit older means better anaesthesia tolerance. Post-op wound care is usually pretty straightforward, the nurse or doctor will show you exactly how to keep the dressing dry and clean, avoid heavy lifting/pressure on the area, and watch for any redness or discharge, but honestly most babies bounce back super quickly. Definitely clarify with your surgeon closer to the op date exactly what the post-care routine is so you're not guessing on the day!