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how long does a hernia repair take to heal

by Eldon Beatty Published 3 years ago Updated 2 years ago
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Open hernia surgery, in which a surgeon utilizes a long incision to push the bulging organ back into place, generally requires a minimum of three weeks to recover. If a laparoscopic hernia repair is performed, recovery is closer to one to two weeks.

Full Answer

How long does it take to recover from hernia surgery?

Patients usually go back to feeling normal again within four to six weeks after hernia repair surgery. However, it is still best to discuss recovery time after hernia surgery with your doctor, as some types of hernia repair may need longer recovery times.

How to recover faster after an inguinal hernia repair?

  • Try to walk around the house for at least 15 minutes in the morning and in the evening. ...
  • After walking around the house, sit on a chair. Start turning your body gently and slowly to the right while keeping your left hand on the right knee. ...
  • Here is another inguinal hernia surgery recovery time exercise. ...

What to expect with hernia repair?

What To Expect Before And After Hernia Surgery

  • Prior To Surgery. Michigan Hernia Surgery will give you specific instructions about how to prepare for your surgery. ...
  • Surgery. The type of surgery you need depends on the size, type, and the location of your hernia. ...
  • After Surgery. ...

How to heal a hernia naturally without surgery?

What Is a Hiatal Hernia?

  • Drink a glass of room temperature or slightly warm water when you get out of bed in the morning. ...
  • While standing, bring your arms straight out from your sides and bend your elbows so your hands are touching your chest.
  • Stand up on your toes as high as possible and drop down. ...

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How long does it take for hernia mesh to heal?

After hernia mesh surgery, most patients can go home the same day. Full recovery time may take four to six weeks. Right after surgery, patients should perform only necessary daily functions but can return to light activity after a few weeks of recovery.

How long does pain last after hernia repair?

How long will the pain last after surgery? You will likely feel sore and uncomfortable after hernia surgery while the incision site heals. While some people experience pain a month or more after hernia surgery, most people feel better a couple of weeks.

How do I know if I damaged my hernia repair?

The symptoms or signs of a torn or ripped hernia mesh implant are similar to mesh failure symptoms, which includes:Bloating and/or an inability to pass stools or gas.Fever when its cause is unknown.Chills, nausea, and/or vomiting.Warm or hot skin where the incision occurred.More items...•

Do and don'ts after hernia surgery?

Activity. 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.

What is the fastest way to recover from hernia surgery?

How can you care for yourself at home?Rest when you feel tired.You may shower 24 to 48 hours after surgery, if your doctor okays it. Pat the incision dry. ... Allow the area to heal. ... Be active. ... You most likely can return to light activity after 1 to 3 weeks, depending on the type of surgery you had.

Does hernia mesh pain go away?

As with most surgeries, some pain after hernia repair resolves after the incision and tissues heal. But hernia mesh can cause an inflammatory response that causes pain for three to six months after surgery, according to researchers Kristoffer Andresen and Jacob Rosenberg at the University of Copenhagen in Denmark.

How often do hernia repairs fail?

Hernia Recurrence Rates The recurrence rate for groin hernias is 1 to 3 percent, while it's 5 to 10 percent for abdominal (ventral) hernias, and 10 to 15 percent for stoma hernias. For the most complex hernias, the recurrence rate is 10 to 20 percent, depending on the nature of the hernia and other factors.

Is it normal to have pain 2 months after hernia surgery?

Experiencing pain after hernia surgery is part of the normal healing process. If you had inguinal hernia surgery in the groin area and your pain after surgery is lasting longer than six months, however, it is considered to be chronic pain. Chronic pain is not normal and should never be ignored.

How strong is a hernia repair?

It confirms that both open and laparoscopic mesh hernia repairs are stronger than the non-herniated normal side at 4 weeks after operation. Laparoscopic mesh repair is stronger than open mesh repair. The weakest points of the repairs correlate well with those identified in clinical reports.

What is the best position to sleep after hernia surgery?

The doctors do not recommend sleeping on the stomach after the surgery. This position can hurt your spine and can also pressurize the hip area. Try to control your sleeping habits if you are a stomach sleeper. It is best to sleep on your side or back.

Can coughing damage my hernia repair?

Deep breathing and circulation exercises are good. Try to avoid vigorous coughing if your repair was done with the open method. Coughing may strain your incision.

Is hernia surgery a major surgery?

Comparing surgical repair options Open hernia repair is a major surgery that's performed with the aid of general anesthesia or local anesthesia and sedation. It's done through one or two standard-sized incisions (three to six inches in length) that allow the surgeon to fully visualize and access the problematic area.

Why is my hernia repair still hurting?

The most common cause of chronic pain after hernia surgery is damage or injury to a nerve. During hernia surgery, a nerve may have been injured, compressed, or stuck in scar tissue after the mesh insert was placed.

Is it normal to have pain 4 weeks after hernia surgery?

When you have surgery to repair a painful inguinal hernia (where soft tissue bulges through a weak part of your abdominal wall) you likely expect the surgery to relieve your pain. It does for most people, but for others groin pain may last for months — or even years — after surgery. Inguinal hernia repair is common.

Is it normal to have sharp pain after hernia surgery?

The type of pain often changes when there is a nerve problem after hernia surgery. The patient will often describe the pain as severe, sharp, electrical, and stabbing. The pain is usually localized to a specific area on the inguinal area, and certain motions can make the pain much worse.

Is it normal to have pain after hernia surgery?

Abdominal pain after hernia surgery is caused by injury to your skin, muscles, and nerves during the operation. The extent of the surgery may affect how much pain you have afterwards. Tell your doctor about your hernia pain so that they can help you manage it, our goal is to lessen your suffering.

Recovery Time After Hernia Surgery

Recovery time after surgery depends on the type of hernia you have and the type of procedure required. Patients who undergo minimally invasive surg...

Discomfort After Hernia Surgery

Discomfort is typically handled with over-the-counter medication, although some patients may require a combination of over-the-counter and opioid-b...

Follow-Up Appointments After Hernia Surgery

All patients need a follow-up appointment two weeks after surgery to ensure that their pain is well controlled and there are no infections. Patient...

Postoperative Restrictions

After surgery, most patients will be asked to avoid lifting anything heavier than 15 pounds for the first two weeks, though more complicated patien...

Recovery Time after Hernia Surgery

Recovery time after hernia surgery depends on the type of hernia treatment. There are several types of abdominal wall hernias, and several ways to fix each one. Inguinal hernia is the most common abdominal wall hernia, with over 800,000 operations performed per year in the united states.

About Dr. Reinhorn & Dr. Fullington

Dr. Michael Reinhorn is a specialist in inguinal hernia and umbilical hernia. He started his practice as a general surgeon in 2001, and in 2012 he transitioned to focus on the care of hernia patients. In 2018, he co-founded Boston Hernia, an ambulatory surgery practice focused exclusively on hernia surgery. In 2020, Dr.

What our patients are saying

Dr Reinhorn and his staff were great. The people at Newton Wellesley were all great as well. Surgery went as I expected from reading the reviews. I had my surgery and two days later was vacationing in Florida. Can’t beat that.

What to Expect after Hernia Surgery

After undergoing surgery to fix your hernia, you probably will have pain for a couple of days, but this is as normal as feeling tired and having less energy than usual after the operation.

When Can I Go Home from the Hospital?

Hernia repair surgery usually only requires a 23-hour or less stay in the hospital.

Managing Post-Surgery Hernia Pain

Postoperative hernia pain is usually managed with over-the-counter pain medications such as Tylenol. In some patients, however, stronger pain medication may be necessary, especially in the first two days following surgery.

Factors that Can Affect Recovery Time

Although in general, most patients will be able to resume normal activities (minus heavy lifting) within two weeks, there is still no precise number attached to each hernia patient’s recovery rate after the procedure.

How Can You Care for Yourself at Home?

Your hernia surgeon will provide instructions for self-care in the days following your hernia surgery. Be sure to follow these instructions that can aid in your healing.

Hernia Mesh Surgery: Risks and Complications

As with other surgeries, surgery to repair hernia also poses some risks and potential complications.

Can you go home after minimally invasive surgery?

Patients who undergo minimally invasive surgery are usually able to go home the same day and are able to walk the night of the surgery. Some patients, especially those who have had abdominal wall reconstructions or component separations, may have to stay in the hospital for a few days.

Can a hernia recur after surgery?

However, there is still a chance of recurrence or infection after surgery. Obesity and smoking increase these risks substantially, and many hernia experts will require patients to lose weight and commit to smoking cessation before surgery, unless tissue is incarcerated or strangulated.

Does surgery help with pain?

Chronic pain is also a risk. Although most pain will go away with conservative management, in rare cases, further surgery may be necessary to alleviate the pain. A healthy lifestyle with regular exercise and regular checkups with your primary care provider will also help reduce the risks involved with any surgery.

How long does it take to recover from a laparoscopic inguinal hernia surgery?

Most people can return to normal activities in two weeks, but may need to avoid heavy lifting.

How long does it take to repair an umbilical hernia?

An umbilical hernia repair is a relatively routine surgery and takes about 20 to 30 minutes. It can be performed as an open surgery or a minimally invasive laparoscopic surgery. An open surgery might require two to three days of hospitalization, but with a laparoscopic surgery a patient may be able to go home the same day or within 24 hours.

What is the procedure for umbilical hernia?

Procedure. An anesthesiologist administers anesthesia and monitors the patient’s vital functions during the procedure . The surgeon makes one or more incisions in the skin next to the umbilical hernia. The surgeon gently pushes back the protruding intestine and abdominal tissue back in place. The surgeon may cut out dead tissue if it is ...

How do you know if you have a hernia?

Symptoms of a hernia include pain, nausea, vomiting, bowel obstruction, and fever. Hernias are diagnosed by a physical exam and imaging tests. Some hernias may be held in place with a supportive belt.

How to diagnose a herniated disc?

Symptoms depend on the location of the herniation and whether nerve tissue is being irritated. An MRI or CT scan is performed to diagnose a herniated disc. Treatment may involve physical therapy, cortisone injection, pain medications, anti-inflammatory medications, muscle relaxants, and surgery.

How long before surgery do you have to eat?

Preparation. Prior to the surgery the patient. Undergoes blood tests and imaging tests. Must not eat or drink 8 hours prior to the procedure. Must check with the doctor before taking any regular medications. Must inform the doctor of any allergies.

Can a surgeon cut out a hernia?

The surgeon may cut out dead tissue if it is a strangulated hernia. The surgeon repairs the hole in the abdominal muscle wall with stitches. The surgeon may also use a mesh for support. The incision is then closed with sutures. The patient will be monitored in the recovery room for a few hours.

How long is the incision for a hernia?

The surgeon will clean the skin with an antiseptic and make a surgical cut (incision) over the hernia sac. The incision is generally around 6 to 8 centimeters long. The surgeon places the lump of fatty tissue or loop of bowel back into your abdomen.

How to repair an inguinal hernia?

An inguinal hernia repair may be done as an open surgery or as a laparoscopic (or keyhole) surgery. There are three broad types of inguinal hernia repairs: 1 Herniotomy (removal of the hernial sac only): This is preferred in young individuals who have normal muscles and repair of the wall of the inguinal canal is not required. 2 Herniorrhaphy (herniotomy along with the repair of the wall at the back of the inguinal canal): This may be suitable for a small hernia in a young adult with healthy abdominal muscles. 3 Hernioplasty (herniotomy plus strengthening of the wall at the back of the inguinal canal with a synthetic mesh): This procedure is suitable for large hernias and hernias in middle-aged and elderly patients with weak abdominal wall musculature.

What is the procedure for an inguinal hernia?

Open inguinal surgery is generally performed by a general surgeon. The surgery may be done under regional or general anesthesia. An inguinal hernia is the bulging fatty tissue or a part of the bowel (such as the intestine) that pushes through a weakened area or defect in the abdomen near the groin. The hernia protrudes through a weak spot in ...

What is the procedure for hernioplasty?

Hernioplasty (herniotomy plus strengthening of the wall at the back of the inguinal canal with a synthetic mesh): This procedure is suitable for large hernias and hernias in middle-aged and elderly patients with weak abdominal wall musculature.

Can a hernia be cured?

The hernia does not get cured on its own and you need to consult a surgeon to guide you on the options available to correct the defect. Inguinal hernia repair is one of the most commonly performed surgeries in the world. A well-timed inguinal hernia surgery may protect you from complications, such as bowel obstruction or blockage, ...

Can a strangulated hernia be removed?

In case of a complicated hernia, such as a strangulated hernia where the bowel is damaged due to disruption in its blood supply, the affected bowel segment may need to be removed and the two ends of healthy bowel rejoined.

Can an inguinal hernia be repaired?

An inguinal hernia repair may be done as an open surgery or as a laparoscopic (or keyhole) surgery. There are three broad types of inguinal hernia repairs: Herniotomy (removal of the hernial sac only): This is preferred in young individuals who have normal muscles and repair of the wall of the inguinal canal is not required.

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