How many weeks do you need to recover on hernia operation?

Today is 10/27/09 and i had my surgery almost 3 wks ago. I still have pain and not back to work yet. I am taking pain meds in the morning and at night now. The first week was awful. I never felt pain like that. Second week was still really rough and third i am much better but still some pain getting up. Its a rough surgery for sure. Make sure to have help. I didnt have any so its been rough.