Do’s and Don’ts After Hernia Surgery

After hernia surgery, you may be concerned about the recovery process. Side effects are common, but there are certain things you may want to do or avoid in order to make your recovery smooth. For instance, up to 10 percent of the patients that get inguinal hernia repair go through complications after this type of surgery.

The symptoms are different for everyone, but the precautions you need to take are generally the same. In this blog, we will talk about the do’s and don’ts after hernia surgery so that you feel as little discomfort as possible.

What Is a Hernia?

A hernia is an organ protrusion through the muscle or membrane that usually keeps it contained. The condition is most common in the abdominal wall, causing your intestines to escape through a weak spot. The most common type of hernia is inguinal, but it may also be hiatal, ventral, femoral, or more. 

Hernias do not go away on their own, which is why most people need to get it surgically fixed. If the hernia is too big, the intestines can become stuck and lead to blockages. Dr. Patrick Moore will fix the wall through which the organ is pushing, containing it once more. 

Precautions After Hernia Surgery

After going through hernia surgery, there are certain precautions that you need to take. Here are some things that you should do to speed up your recovery, along with certain things that should be avoided: 

• DO: Get Plenty of Rest After the Procedure

  Similar to any other surgical procedure, a hernia repair will require you to rest for a few days. Take some time off from work, around one to two weeks if you have a desk job or four to six weeks if you are doing heavy labor. The better you rest, the smoother your recovery should be.

• DON’T: Stay in a Completely Stiff Position

  While you do need to rest after your hernia surgery, you should avoid staying in a completely stiff position. Indeed, making a strenuous effort can cause your hernia to come back. However, not moving at all can lead to muscle atrophy. You should rest for a day or two while making gentle movements and try walking around the house when you feel strong enough to do so.

  

• DO: Stay Hydrated

  Hydration is very important when it comes to maximizing your recovery, as it can oxygenate your vital organs. Your muscles will receive the nourishment that they need faster, speeding up your recovery.

• DON’T: Do Any Heavy Lifting after the Surgery

  You should not be doing any heavy lifting after your hernia surgery to avoid your stitches from coming loose. Your pain may also worsen if you try making too much effort after a hernia. Skip the gym for a couple of weeks and leave any home renovations for a later time. 

• DO: Place a Pillow or Palm Over the Hernia When Sneezing

  Everyone sneezes at some point, so don’t panic if a sneeze starts “courting” you immediately after the surgery. Keep a pillow close to you and brace your incision with it when you feel a sneeze or cough coming. This can also help with laughter! 

• DON’T: Have Too Large Meals After the Procedure

  You can eat immediately after the procedure if you want, but you should keep the meals liquid at first. Add regular meals later on but keep them small. This will make it easier on your intestines and prevent them from adding pressure to your hernia repair. 

The Bottom Line

Even though it comes with side effects, hernia surgery often has a very smooth recovery. However, the things that you do (or don’t do) during the recovery may also influence how fast your recovery is. Call Dr. Patrick Moore to schedule an appointment and he will provide you with post-op instructions!

For more information about hernias and how to recover quickly after the procedure, you can contact Dr. Patrick Moore at 951-477-5700. He will provide you with all the information that you need.