Hernia: An Overview

Abdominal (core) muscles are activated with nearly every movement. Even sitting up, your core acts to keep your upper body upright and balanced. A hernia is a painful injury that occurs when the abdominal wall ruptures or tears from too much strain.  This can happen from recently increased stress or deterioration over time.  Hernias typically require surgical repair.  After surgery, healing can be improved by following a few simple rules.

The First Week

The first week after a hernia surgery is the most important time to take care in recovery. Remembering to relax and rest as much as possible in the first week could mean getting back on your feet sooner the next week. The recovery rule “If it doesn’t feel good, don’t do it” applies here. Here are some things to avoid in the first week.

• No driving – Anesthesia impairs cognitive functions for up to a week. Additionally, prescription pain medication can reduce your ability to judge speed and distance.
• Strenuous activities (i.e. Heavy Lifting over 20 lbs.)
• Weight gain – causes stretching of the recovery area
• Vigorous Coughing – can be painful
• Movement for extended periods of time
• Vomiting

Restricting activity during the first week will maximize comfort, minimize complication, and ensure optimal long term results.

The First Month

After the first week, the pain should have subsided enough to stop using the pain medication. At this point the discomfort from strenuous activities will be more apparent.  Avoiding exertion is still recommended, although getting back to low intensity movement helps the surgical wounds.

After being off pain medication for two days driving is permitted. Keeping in mind that reaction times could still be slowed from the medication, and torsion (twisting) on the abdomen could still be painful.

Committing to following your doctor’s instructions after the operation is critical. Personal doctors have the best idea of what type of recovery you will need based on your body and the type of surgery performed.

Surgical Treatments for Hernia

There are a variety of operations available to repair an abdominal hernia, depending on the severity and location of the injury. As a result, recovery times vary from patient to patient. Surgeries are typically tension free with the use of mesh and may be performed either laparoscopically or through a traditional incision.

Despite miracle stories of full recoveries in a few days, not every patient is going to have this experience. Minimizing physical activity in the weeks following surgery can help with the following.

• Prevent Infection
• Improve Healing
• Promote Comfort
• Decrease Recovery Time

St. Paul Hernia Surgeon

Surgery is currently the most effective way of treating hernia. Although it is possible to live and cope with a hernia, this is by no means recommended. Living with a hernia can cause extreme discomfort and lead to serious health problems if not monitored correctly.  If you have a hernia, call to set up your appointment with Dr. Koeplin today.