Hernias – Presentation and Management

Straightforward surgical hernia repair patients maybe able to go home a few hours after surgery or the next day. For more complex cases a few days stay in the hospital maybe warranted. Typically, most patients feel fine within a few days after the surgery and resume normal eating habits and activities. Strenuous activity and exercise are restricted for 4 to 6 weeks after surgery.

Sometimes the complications of hernia repair can include urine retention, wound infection, hydrocele formation (collection of fluid around the testis) and scrotal edema.

The do’s and don’ts after hernia surgery include -

Do’s

You can take walks

Do some stretch exercises

Eat lot of fibre and vegetables

Drink enough fluids

Don’ts

Although the skin wound heals within a week or two the inside tissues take longer to heal and this process can go on for 6 months or more. To avoid recurrence of hernia some precautions for a few months are always advocated and these include:

Avoid lifting heavy weights for a 3 to 4 months

Avoid smoking

Avoid straining when moving bowels

Avoid running up the stairs

Avoid strenuous exercises