Hernia Recovery – Do’s and Don’ts after Hernia Surgery

You are likely to suffer pains for a few days after undergoing hernia surgery. It is also common to feel tired, nauseated and as if you have flu or a low fever. This happens in about 20-25% of patients after hernia surgery.

But after 5 days or so, patients start feeling better. For several weeks, a few patients may feel aches or stretch feel in the groin area while moving. It is normal for men to have bruises on the scrotum and along the penis after the surgery (usually for large groin hernias).

In this article, we will discuss how we can speed up the process of post-surgery hernia recovery.

The type of Surgery 

Hernia surgery is carried out in two methods: one is the conventional open method and the other the Laparoscopic hernia repair.

The conventional method requires an incision in the skin directly over the hernia. The latter surgery takes place with the use of a small telescope known as a laparoscope. The Laparoscopic hernia repair method repairs hernia with very few incisions adjacent to the hernia making minimal invasions. Depending on the type of surgery (whether open surgery or Laparoscopic surgery), your hernia surgery recovery time would also vary. Recovery time for the conventional open method is comparatively more, especially in the case of bilateral hernias.

Care yourself at home

You will obtain a general idea about your recovery and other related things through this article. However, each individual would recover after the surgery at a different pace. Besides, as mentioned above, it also depends upon the type of surgery you have undergone. Just follow the below-given steps to recover well and as soon as possible.

Do’s and Don’ts after Hernia Surgery

Here are some common recommendations on what you should and should not do after hernia surgery in order to prevent infection, avoid weight gain and coughing, and to enhance healing.

Common queries of patients’ – restrictions in diet, activities etc.

• Rest: You should rest whenever you feel tired.
• Showering: You may shower 24-48 hours after surgery depending upon the type of repair you underwent and if your doctor is fine with it. If you have gauze on the incisions, take it off prior to showering and later pat the incision dry. Consult your doctor regarding keeping your incision dry and if so, for how long.
• Allow the area to heal. After surgery, it suggested that you don’t move swiftly or lift anything heavy until you feel completely fine. It would be better if you avoid lifting weights or engaging in sports or strenuous exercises for at least four to six weeks. Your engagement in the activities will largely depend on the type of procedures you had for hernia repair. Again, make sure to get your doctor’s opinion on resuming exercise routines or sports, because every patient’s condition is different and so is the type of procedure done.
• Walking: Walking is a healthy decision as it increases blood circulation, which in turn, speeds healing without straining the abdomen.
• Working: After 1 to 3 weeks you can most likely return doing light activities.

Diet

• You are free to consume a normal diet. But if your stomach seems upset, you should try going for bland, low-fat food items like plain rice, toast, broiled chicken or yogurt.
• In case, your bowel movements aren’t regular after surgery, then try avoiding constipation and straining. Also, drink plenty of water. Doctors would recommend having a stool softener, fiber, or a mild laxative.

Medicines

• Antiinflammatory and analgesic medications are usually recommended in the first week after surgery.

Incision care

• There will be a dressing over the incision area (cut) to aid in healing and protecting it. You will get guidelines from your doctor about taking care of this.
• If there’s a skin adhesive or a liquid stitch on the incision, leave it there until it falls off. Sometimes you may have strips of tape on the cut. Leave the tape on for a week or until it falls off.

WARNING SIGNS AFTER SURGERY

In case you notice any of the following, call your doctor and seek immediate medical care:

• Your pain sustains even after taking medicines
• Your incision comes open or has got your stitches loose
• You find bright red blood-soaked discharge in your bandage
• You have loose stitches, or your incision comes open.
• Your stomach seems sick or you cannot drink fluid
• You find signs of a blood clot in your leg ( known as a deep vein thrombosis). It may either result in pain in your calf, back of the knee, thigh, or groin; or redness and swelling in your leg or groin.
• You are unable to pass stools or gas.
• You see symptoms of infection. It may be in different forms such as:
  1. Excruciating pain, swelling, warmth, or redness
  2. Red streaks leading from the incision area
  3. Pus draining from the incision
  4. A fever