Typically, the hardest part about hernia surgery recovery, is the discomfort within the first 48 hours after surgery. By the third day after surgery, pain and discomfort will usually begin to improve.
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.
Abdominal wall hernia repairs may require up to a two-day hospital stay due to the internal stitches and healing that is required. Expect some soreness around the surgical site during the first 24 to 48 hours following surgery. Walking is encouraged, based on your energy level.
You should also be able to return to work after 1 or 2 weeks, although you may need more time off if your job involves manual labour. Gentle exercise, such as walking, can help the healing process, but you should avoid heavy lifting and strenuous activities for about 4 to 6 weeks.
At first you may need to rest in bed with your upper body raised on pillows. This helps you breathe easier and may help lessen post-surgery hernia pain.
Try to avoid vigorous coughing if your repair was done with the open method. Coughing may strain your incision. For a couple of weeks, when you need to cough or sneeze, splint your incision. This means putting pressure over your incision with your hands, a rolled up blanket, or a pillow.
After surgery to repair a hernia, you're likely to have pain for a few days. You may also feel tired and have less energy than normal. This is common. You should start to feel better after a few days.
Avoid lifting more than 10 pounds for four weeks and excessive bending or twisting for one to two weeks following surgery. This is to allow healing of the incisions, specifically the fascia (the strongest layer of the abdomen wall) and to decrease the risk of your hernia coming back.
There are no medical or physical restrictions on activity after surgery. That means it is OK to walk, climb stairs, lift, have sexual intercourse, mow the lawn, or exercise as long as it doesn't hurt. In fact, returning to normal activity as soon as possible will most likely enhance your recovery.
Week 1: You may walk and do some light stretching. Lift as little as possible and take any prescribed painkillers to stay ahead of discomfort. Some doctors ask you to avoid a full shower or bath. By the end of the week, you should be feeling much better.
VOIDING / URINATING
Occasionally, after surgery, your bladder may become too full with urine, and urinary retention can develop. This may manifest as either: 1) inability to void, 2) frequent voiding, or 3) frequent voiding of small amounts of urine.
Normally, you should refrain from driving for at least 1 week after a hernia repair operation. You should be free from the distracting effect of pain or the sedative or other effects of any pain relief medication you are taking.
Severe pain, swelling or redness at the hernia site. Hernia bulge growing quickly. Nausea and/or vomiting.
People who have a mesh plug used to repair their hernias often feel the mesh plug. While it's not always painful, some chronic pain issues are likely due to the shape and location of the mesh plug.
During the repair of an inguinal hernia, sutures or tacks are generally used to secure the prosthetic mesh in place. In TAPP repairs the peritoneum is closed using sutures or tacks.
You may notice that your bowel movements are not regular right after your surgery. This is common. Avoid constipation and straining with bowel movements. You may want to take a fibre supplement every day.
Soreness and pain upon movement and during sleep are common during the first few weeks of recovery. To prevent further injury and trauma to the hernia repair site, avoid sleeping flat on the sides and back.
Sharp pain is not uncommon after a cough or sneeze, and lingering effects should resolve in a day or two. It's very unlikely that the hernia will return as a result of this.
9) Sit on the toilet
Yes! Constipation is a terrible and uncomfortable feeling, especially when you are recovering from hernia surgery and have such little control over your bowels. However, sitting on the toilet can help trigger muscles in your body that says it is time for a bowel movement. Be patient though.
You must not eat breads, crackers, biscuits, chunky meats such as steaks and dry meals such as cold cuts. You can now start eating soft food such as well cooked pasta, minced meat, flaked fish, well cooked rice, pulses and vegetables with plenty of sauce.
Nerve injury, entrapment, or reaction to mesh and scar may be the cause of severe pain syndromes. Proper nerve handling at the time of initial hernia repair is crucial to decrease the incidence of chronic pain.