7 Ways to Sleep After Umbilical Hernia Surgery
- Sleep in a Position That Lets Your Abdominal Muscles Relax Simply place pillows on your back to keep your back elevated. ...
- Practice Breathing Breathing is our most important body function, and umbilical hernia surgery puts a strain on it, as the abdominal muscles make it hard to breathe correctly, since ...
- Establish a Sleep Routine This is a more general suggestion that works even if you don’t feel any pain or aren’t recovering from surgery. ...
- Learn How to Get in and Out of Bed This is a point often overlooked, but you can’t always rely on others to help you get out of bed ...
- Follow a Proper Diet This goes hand in hand with the physical activity tip. ...
- Take Pain Medicines Medicines that make the pain go away are always an option, at least when it’s time to sleep. ...
- Heat and Cold Are Your Allies Remember when your mother gave you ice packs when you hurt yourself? The principle is the same here. ...
- Physical Activity
How to sleep after a hernia surgery?
Combating other conditions such as acid reflux, congested nose, night-time cough, and sleep apnoea. The most effective ways to sleep in an inclined position after hernia surgery are to use an adjustable bed, recliner, bed riser, wedge pillow, or stack of pillows.
Is breathing difficult after umbilical hernia surgery?
Practice Breathing Breathing is our most important body function, and umbilical hernia surgery puts a strain on it, as the abdominal muscles make it hard to breathe correctly, since your diaphragm is placed in the abdomen.
How do you sleep with a broken back after surgery?
You can easily achieve this elevation by using a recliner, extra pillows, a wedge pillow, or by sleeping in an adjustable bed. After the first few weeks, as you heal, you can begin to sleep flat on your back or on your side.
How is hernia surgery done with a robot?
This is done through a similar process as the laparoscopic hernia repair surgery, except that the surgeon is seated at a console in the operating room, and handles a robot, which then handles the surgery itself. This typically allows the surgeon to get much better, 3-D images of the abdomen during the surgery. How to sleep after hernia surgery?
How can I sleep comfortably after hernia surgery?
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. Cold and Heat: Both cold and heat can help lessen some types of post-op pain.
How long should you rest after umbilical hernia surgery?
The latest hernia repair techniques usually allow you to return to normal activities within 2 weeks. Gentle exercise, such as walking, can help the healing process. Heavy lifting and strenuous activities should be avoided for about 4 to 6 weeks.
How do you get out of bed after umbilical hernia repair?
Getting out of bedHug your pillows.Roll onto your side.Dangle your feet over the edge of your bed.Use your elbows to raise your upper body.Use your legs to pull yourself into a sitting position.
How should I lay down with an umbilical hernia?
After a surgical umbilical hernia repair, it's best to sleep on your back in a half-lying, half-sitting position, with pillows propped behind your upper body. You can gradually lower the angle of incline by reducing the number of pillows as your incision heals.
Can I sleep on my side after umbilical 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.
Do and don'ts after hernia surgery?
Avoid strenuous activities, such as biking, jogging, weight lifting, or aerobic exercise, until your doctor says it is okay. Avoid lifting anything that would make you strain.
How can I sleep comfortably after abdominal surgery?
Keep at least an extra two regular-sized pillows handy—one for between your knees and the other to place under your stomach. These will help you sleep more comfortably after surgery. Pillows are also useful to stay comfortable when you're awake. Invest in a body pillow to rest on while laying in bed during the day.
How should I sleep sitting up after surgery?
Sleeping at a 45-degree angle helps to reduce post-op swelling and encourages symmetry. We also recommend that patients sleep propped upright to avoid rolling over and resting on their new nose or breasts in the night and to ensure the best possible result.
How do you shower after umbilical hernia surgery?
Wound care It is OK to shower starting around 36 hours after surgery. If you have a dressing on the incisions, take it off before showering. You might see little pieces of tape (called steri-strips) directly attached to your skin. It is OK to get these little tapes wet in the shower.
What position is best for hernia?
To reduce an abdominal hernia, lay the patient supine. To reduce a groin hernia, place the patient in a 20º Trendelenburg position (this position allows gravity to help retract the herniated tissue into the abdomen or pelvis).
How do I know if I damaged my umbilical 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...•
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 to sleep after abdominal surgery?
Sleep in a Position That Lets Your Abdominal Muscles Relax. Simply place pillows on your back to keep your back elevated. This will reduce the strain on your abdominal muscles, which are recovery from the surgery and the stitching together.
Why is it so hard to breathe after umbilical hernia surgery?
Breathing is our most important body function, and umbilical hernia surgery puts a strain on it, as the abdominal muscles make it hard to breathe correctly, since your diaphragm is placed in the abdomen.
What is an umbilical hernia?
What Is Umbilical Hernia? Terry Cralle. An umbilical hernia forms when the abdominal wall behind the navel is damage, which may cause the navel to bulge forward. When this happens, the bulge can obstruct the intestine, reducing its blood supply.
How to keep abdominal muscles relaxed?
After some days have passed, you can remove or add pillows in the right spots to keep your abdominal muscles as relaxed as possible. As long as you feel comfortable and can sleep fine, you have picked the right pillow arrangement. Each person is different, so experiment a little to find out the perfect set up.
How long do you have to stop eating before a hernia surgery?
You just have to stop eating and drinking for a certain number of hours before operations. You will be anesthetized at the hospital and the operation will begin. The operation itself is relatively simple: the surgeon makes a small cut at the side of the belly, and pushes the bulging hernia back into the tummy.
How to get out of bed?
To get out of bed, you do the same process but in reverse: first, you roll onto your side, then extend your legs and drop them on the ground, then use your upper body (elbow and arms) to push your torso up.
How to get rid of sleepless nights?
Here are some things you should introduce in your sleep routine: Always go to sleep at the same time. Don’t look at screens before bed (you can turn on devices’ blue lights in their settings usually, blue light is the main culprit of sleepless nights) Listen to relaxing music. Do some light chest stretching.
How do you repair a hernia?
Hernias are usually remedied through different types of hernia surgery. This includes: Open hernia repair surgery. Here, an incision is made and the hernia “sac” containing the bulging intestine is identified, then put back in place. Laparoscopic hernia repair surgery.
How long does it take to recover from a hernia surgery?
As stated above, unfortunately, while recovery from hernia surgery is typically quite quick (1-2 weeks) most people do experience some level of pain and discomfort after the surgery, which may lead to trouble sleeping. You may also struggle to find an appropriate sleeping position that will not push on your wound or disturb your stitches.
What is robotic hernia surgery?
Robotic hernia repair surgery. This is done through a similar process as the laparoscopic hernia repair surgery, except that the surgeon is seated at a console in the operating room , and handles a robot, which then handles the surgery itself.
How long does it take to read a hernia?
Reading Time: 6 minutes. As you may already know, hernia and hernia surgery are nowadays incredibly common, routine medical procedures that you should not be afraid of. However, whether you are going in for surgery in the next few weeks or are currently recovering from hernia surgery, know that it is likely that you will experience some level ...
What to do after abdominal surgery?
The last thing you want to is to put more weight, stress or pressure on your wound, and/or pull your stitches . As your muscles and main abdominal region will be sore after surgery, you will want to be very mindful and slow about getting in and out of bed, especially in the first few days.
Is it better to sleep on your side after a hernia surgery?
Sleep in an elevated position. This may be something that your doctor has already told you about, but sleeping in an elevated position is generally better and less painful after hernia surgery. Laying all the way down, be it on your back or on your sides can be quite painful.
Can a hernia cause fever?
This condition may cause varying symptoms depending on the location of the hernia such as: an apparition of a bulge in the groin area, pain at or around the location of the hernia, and/or vomiting and fever in case of an obstruction of the bowel. Hernias are usually remedied through different types of hernia surgery.
How to sleep at 30 degrees after hernia surgery?
The most effective ways to sleep in an inclined position after hernia surgery are to use an adjustable bed, recliner, bed riser, wedge pillow, or stack of pillows.
Why is it so hard to sleep after a hernia surgery?
Sleep is very important after surgery to help with recovery, but trying to get to sleep after hernia surgery can be very difficult because the abdominal pain that you’re experiencing can be made worse by slight movements like adjusting your position or even breathing. So how do you get to sleep after hernia surgery?
How to heal after a hernia surgery?
Sleep is extremely important for healing after your hernia surgery. Taking pain medications, sleeping at an inclined angle, and getting in and out of bed properly are the most significant steps that you can take just after having a hernia operation to help facilitate restful sleep and aid with recovery.
Why are adjustable bed frames useful?
Adjustable bed frames are also useful in a variety of conditions where specific sleeping postures are recommended – such as for heartburn, leg edema, sleep apnea, back pain due to spinal disc herniation, and whilst recuperating after a variety of surgical procedures.
How long does it take for a hernia to heal?
Mild to moderate pain up to two weeks after your hernia surgery is normal until your incision is completely healed. Pain is typically more severe in open hernia repair than laparoscopic or robotic surgery. However, it’s not necessary to suffer in silence until recovery.
Where should a pillow be placed?
Pillows should be placed with long axis under the head, neck, and shoulder blades. However, the pillow may slip out or change position during sleep and may cause you to sleep in an abnormal position causing strain on the neck, spine, or the suture site.
Can you sleep on an incline after hernia surgery?
The easiest and safest way to sleep at an incline after hernia surgery is to sleep on an adjustable bed because you can use specific controls to achieve the exact incline that you feel comfortable with, and you won’t have to risk straining your neck . If you don’t have an adjustable bed, you can buy an adjustable bed frame here – with options ...
What pillow should I use after a hernia surgery?
If you decide to for go a recliner, a wedge pillow is an absolute bare minimum necessity to help you sleep in an elevated position. I personally recommend using an Xtreme Comforts Wedge Pillow ( link to Amazon) to help achieve the best angle for comfortably sleeping after a hernia surgery. Bed risers – If your bed frame allows it, ...
How long does it take to recover from a hernia surgery?
The bad news is that recovery time can take 1-2 weeks, and during that time, you will need to figure out how to sleep comfortably without causing additional damage or pain.
How to get out of bed?
To get out of the bed, you’ll do the exact reverse of getting in. Remember to keep your pillow held tightly to your body as you get up. Roll onto your side if you aren’t already. Let your legs extend off the side of the bed. Use your elbow and forearm to push yourself up into a sitting position.
How to roll on your back when you are on a bed?
You also want to keep an extra pillow on the bed and hug it close to your abdomen during each transition. Sit down on the mattress close to the head of the bed. Ease yourself down to lay on your side. Bring both legs up onto the bed. From this side-lying position, you can then roll onto your back.
When to exhale when sitting up?
Also, be sure to exhale when you sit up, rather than inhale through the motion. Inhale slowly first, then exhale as you move. Some people tend to inhale sharply as they sit up because this feels more natural; however, exhaling during the action is the proper way to breathe to prevent causing injury.
Can you sleep on your stomach while stitching?
Sleeping on your stomach – When sleeping on your stomach, it’s possible to unintentionally disrupt the stitches, causing more pain and poor sleep quality.
Is an adjustable bed frame more expensive than a wedge pillow?
An adjustable bed frame – A slightly more costly option is to purchase an entirely adjustable bed frame. Like a wedge pillow, this is an excellent option for those who may suffer from other health conditions as well.
