Hernia Post Surgery Aftercare

Hernia occurs when a fatty organ pushes through a weak place in the surrounding connective tissue or muscle wall. Hernias usually don’t get better on its own. They tend to grow and may need surgery. That’s why most doctors often recommend surgery. After the surgery several steps we need to keep in mind while on recovery. 

Factors considered during recovery

• Type of Hernia you had

• Inguinal hernias are the most common type of hernia and generally have fewer complications. 

• Type of Surgery done 

• Generally, people who have laparoscopic or robotic hernia surgery recover quicker than patients who have open surgery. 

• Age

• Younger patients on all surgery tends to recover fast.

• Health Condition

• Relatively healthy patients tend to heal quicker than ones with co-existing conditions. 

• Experience of hernia surgery

• Research shows that having hernia surgery with an experienced hernia surgeon lowers your risk of adverse events. 

The Recovery

After surgery to repair your hernia, you are likely to have pain for a few days. You may also feel tired and have less energy than normal. This is common.You should feel better after a few days and will probably feel much better in 7 days.For several weeks you may feel discomfort or pulling in the hernia repair when you move. You may have some bruising around the area of the repair. This is normal.

What you can do at home while on recovery

• Just like any other recovery rest and sleep is a priority 
• Do the daily walk, start from 100 steps and increase as the day goes. Walking boosts blood flow and helps prevent pneumonia and constipation.
• Some surgeons will advise you to wear a waist trimmer belt. This is an elastic adjustable bandage that you can wear around your waist to support your belly.
• When exercising avoid strenuous once like biking, running, jogging or any HIIT workout until doctor gives you the permission to do so 
• Avoid lifting anything that would make you strain. This may include heavy grocery bags and milk containers, a heavy briefcase or backpack, cat litter or dog food bags, a vacuum cleaner, or a child.
• Wait doctor’s advise before you start driving again
• Most people are able to return to work within 1 to 2 weeks after surgery. But if your job requires that you do heavy lifting or strenuous activity, you may need to take 4 to 6 weeks off from work.
• You may shower 24 to 48 hours after surgery, if your doctor okays it. Pat the cut (incision) dry. Do not take a bath for the first 2 weeks, or until your doctor tells you it is okay.
• Ask doctor’s advise before you can start having sex again. 

How to care for the incision

After surgery, caring for your incision is very important. Keep the area around the incision site clean. If you don’t clean the area properly, bacteria could build up and cause infection.Use a sterile bandage or gauze to cover the incision site to keep it dry and prevent further bleeding. Don’t leave the same bandage on for longer than 24 hours.Wash the area thoroughly with soap and warm water daily. Be careful not to scrub at the incision site. Pat it dry, and don’t use alcohol or hydrogen peroxide as that could slow down healing.

Conclusion: 

Hernia surgery needs after care because the wound, incision and belly does not go back on its own. There is a need to educate once self on how to do the aftercare to avod complications and make it seem that the surgery never happened. Incision care and wearing waist trimmer belt are two of the many things that you need to consider if you need to go through the surgery. 

References: 

https://myhealth.alberta.ca/Health/aftercareinformation/pages/conditions.aspx?hwid=bo1696

https://www.nghs.com/2020/10/22/how-long-does-it-take-to-recover-from-hernia-surgery

https://www.drugwatch.com/hernia-mesh/surgery/recovery/