Hernia Surgery Recovery

Hernia is the bulging of an organ or the muscular wall of an organ through the muscle or cavity that normally contains it. Though it may grow in any part of the body, the abdominal wall is the most commonly affected area. It usually occurs due to a tear in a muscle wall that causes the inner lining to protrude. Obesity, heavy lifting, natural weakness, straining during bowel movements, fluid in the abdominal cavity, chronic lung disease, and hereditary factors are some conditions or causes that increase the pressure on the abdominal cavity and may contribute to the formation or worsening of a hernia.

Pain, swelling of the skin of the abdominal wall, nausea, vomiting, and loss of appetite are some common symptoms observed in people suffering from hernia. Quite often the normal flow of blood in the intestines may get blocked and the patient may suffer from constipation. If the hernia is in the bladder region, person may develop symptoms like hesitancy, urinary burning, frequent infection, frequent urination, bladder stones, etc.

Treatment of hernia primarily depends on whether the hernia is small, reducible, irreducible, non-incarcerated, or strangulated. For non-strangulated hernias, various trusses and surgical belts or bindings can be used which provide temporary and symptomatic relief by holding back the protrusion. But for irreducible hernias, elective surgery is the best treatment as it allows the patient to cope with the pain and discomfort. Let's look at the various aspects of hernia surgery and what you need to keep in mind for proper hernia surgery recovery.

Hernia Surgery

Depending upon the severity of the hernia, a patient may undergo open, mesh, or laparoscopic surgery which lasts for nearly two to three hours. In conventional or open surgery, the surgeon makes an incision over the affected area and substitutes the herniated tissue. He removes the unwanted tissues and sews together the surrounding muscle tissue to re-mediate the hole or defect in the abdomen. If the patient undergoes mesh surgery, the surgeon makes an incision at the affected area and places a piece of mesh over it. The surrounding muscle tissues are not sewed together but the incision is sewn at the end of the surgery. In laparoscopic hernia surgery, a tiny telescope like device is inserted through a small incision at the umbilicus (belly button) through which the surgeon views and treats the hernia. The procedure is performed under general anesthesia due to which the patient doesn't feel any pain.

However, using special meshes, surgeons now have a tension-free plug and/or patch to repair hernias rather than suturing tissues together. The advantage of employing this technique is that it greatly reduces the risk of recurrence. Most health insurance plans cover the cost of the surgery performed but without a proper insurance plant, the patient may need to spend anywhere between $6000-$14000 on a surgery. This fees may include the fees of the surgeon, hospital fees, anesthetist fees, cost of the specialist equipment, antibiotics, and pain medication. The surgery may involve few complications which can be addressed effectively during the recovery period. If the patient experiences fever, severe pain or bleeding, difficulty in breathing, excessive sweating, urinary retention, etc., it's recommended to consult the doctor for necessary treatment and medications.

Recovery After Hernia Surgery

After surgery, a patient may experience minimal discomfort as the body becomes numb due to the general anesthetic that is used during the operation. The patient should take complete rest and it is advisable to stay in the hospital for two to three days if possible. Many patients are discharged within a couple of hours after the surgery as well. The recovery time for hernia surgery varies depending on the type of hernia the patient suffered from, the location of the hernia, and the type of surgery technique used. Another factor that affects the time period of recovery from hernia operation is the patient's health in general.

During the recovery period the incision may get sore, swollen, or bruised within a few weeks of the surgery. Though this is normal, it may be a good idea to consult a doctor if the condition worsens. While sneezing, coughing, or vomiting, the patients should support their abdomen by putting a pillow on it. Minimal physical activity like slow walking will help the patient to overcome the normal feelings of stiffness and pain due to the surgery as it increases the blood circulation and speeds up the healing process. You may not be able to engage in any form of strenuous physical activity as it can have a negative impact on your recovery. If you want to restart your exercise routine or start playing sports again, it is important that you consult your doctor.

The patient should be given easy to digest foods like liquids, juices, or soups for the initial few days or at least until the digestive tract has completely recovered. The recovery time after hernia surgery varies from person to person as some patients may resume their normal life a week after the surgery while others may take a few weeks to recover. However, on an average, the hernia operation recovery time ranges between two to three weeks in which the patient can perform routine activities. It is important that you avoid heavy lifting and vigorous exercises for some time. For patients who have had their hernia treated with the artificial mesh process often recover in a matter of a few days.

Hernia surgery is highly effective and it does not take much of a toll on patients and in most cases patients are able to get back on their feet within a week after the surgery. However, patients should avoid excessive strain on the herniated area of the body and should take proper care during the hernia surgery recovery time period. It is important to pay proper attention to this information on recovery after hernia surgery so that you can take proper care of yourself.