Aside from “when can I leave the clinic,” the three topics in the headline are probably the three most fielded questions we handle on a regular basis. Surgery can impact your normal routine, so many people want to know when they can expect to return to a sense of normalcy after an operation. We enjoy answering these questions, because it helps to show us that a patient is committed to making a full recovery, which means they’ll likely listen to our instructions. So today, we’re going to explain when you can return to some basic activities after hernia surgery.
Also, we want to make it clear that the answers to following questions are only general guidelines and they should not be taken as fact for your specific situation. These suggestions can differ based on the type of hernia and a number of other factors, so always rely on your doctor’s opinion over these general guidelines.
When Can I Drive After Hernia Surgery?
Most surgical facilities require you to bring a guest along with you to the surgical center to drive you home after the operation. Since you will be given general anesthesia, it is recommended that you wait 24-48 hours before driving at minimum. If your hernia is located in an area where driving may place abnormal strain on it, you may be asked to wait a couple more days before getting behind the wheel.
You also need to consider that you may be prescribed pain medications for a short period after your surgery. Ask your doctor if it is safe to get behind the wheel after taking your medication. Even if it is allowed, don’t get behind the wheel until you see how the medication affects you, because they can affect people differently.
When Can I Return To Work After Hernia Surgery?
The biggest determinant in when you’ll be able to return to work after hernia surgery is what kind of work you perform. Full recovery after hernia surgery typically takes between two and six weeks, but you don’t need to be fully recovered to perform certain jobs. For example, if you work at a desk, you may be able to return to work after a couple of days. However, if you work construction and are regularly bending, twisting and carrying heavy objects, you may need to wait until you’re fully recovered. Your surgeon will be ask you about your specific work duties to determine if you can return to work in a few days or a few weeks.
When Can I Exercise Or Return To Sports After Hernia Surgery?
Finally, many people want to know when they can go for a run or return to their team after hernia surgery. Again, the best course of action is to talk to the surgeon who performed your operation, but generally speaking, you can return to low-impact, non-contact sports and activities like running or biking in just a few days. For sports that require greater exertion, two weeks is generally a good estimate. For contact sports or competitive sports, two weeks is usually the absolute minimum, and a better estimate is between two to four weeks after surgery, assuming healing has gone as planned. Talk to your doctor about what sports you play and what activities can be tolerated as you recover from hernia surgery.
