Hernia repair surgery is commonly performed in all hospitals and nursing homes. Hernia repair is done either through a laparoscope or through traditional open surgery techniques. Today’s hernia surgery repair techniques are less invasive and recovery rates are faster, making recurrence less likely. Recovery is possible with least discomfort and a faster discharge from the hospital.
All hernia repair surgeries take place under general anesthesia, and post your hernia surgery, you will wake up in your recovery room ready to put your surgery behind you. There is only one thing you need to focus on and that is getting back to your routine as soon as possible.
Post-Operative Care And Recovery
- Immediately after surgery: Patients are shifted to the post-anesthesia care unit immediately after surgery and monitored closely until they are stable. After this they can leave the post-anesthesia unit to the outpatient department. Some patients may get discharged; however, it is best if you have a family member or friend with you for a couple of days. The IV line is kept until the patient can tolerate clear liquids orally. Occasionally, anesthesia effects can cause nausea and can delay oral fluid intake. Anesthesia wears off within a couple of hours.
- Pain at the incision site: Certain patients may experience pain at the site especially if the open surgery method is adopted. Swelling and discoloration may appear which subsides during the healing period. Pain medications will be given by your physician. Pain and soreness are common and may last for 24-48 hours. The incision site is held by sterile strips, which usually fall of within a week to 10 days. The wound should be kept dry as this enables complete healing; sponge baths are recommended for a few days after surgery.
Emergency Signs To Watch Out After Surgery
- Fever
- Excessive sweating
- Difficulty in urination
- Bleeding from the incision site
- Redness or swelling at the incision site
- Pain becoming worse
First Week Do’s And Don’ts
The aim is to prevent infection, promote healing, and avoid weight gain.
- Depending on your wound healing, you can shower within a day or two.
- Be careful that you do not strain abdominal muscles while walking. However, a moderate amount is vital to improve circulation.
- Eat a diet rich in fruits, vegetables, and fiber along with a lot of fluids. This helps to avoid constipation. Physicians may prescribe laxatives or stool softeners to avoid straining that results due to inactivity.
- Depending on your recovery and incision site, you will need to consult your physician before resuming driving.
- Do not lift heavy things at least for the first few days. You can resume working depending on the type of hernia surgery.
- Some people resume work within a week; however, remember not to tire yourself and take adequate rest. Depending on the type of surgery, your physician will advise you when to resume work.
- Playing your regular sports may have to wait. It may take a few weeks for you to get back to playing your favorite sports. Always remember to consult your physician before resuming playing any kind of sports.
- Sexual activity can be resumed after you have recovered your physical activity and your doctor has given you the green signal for it.
Tips For A Speedy Recovery
- Ensure that a relative or family stays with you for a couple of days after surgery. This will prove handy as you may be physically restricted to do many things.
- Keep a pillow next to you so that in case you need to cough, sneeze, or vomit you can press it against the abdomen. This prevents excessive strain on abdominal muscles.
- Reduce using stairs as it may be physically exhausting to climb up and down.
- Be aware of all the potential complications post-surgery. This enables you to call your doctor immediately if you notice any.
- Always keep pain medication ready even if you feel you may not require them.
- Be consistent in all your follow-ups with your doctor for your safety and the success of your surgery.
