These cookies do not store any personal information. Patients should also avoid lifting anything heavier than 15 pounds for around two weeks after your surgery, or as advised by your surgeon. It is also known as herniorrhaphy. In the weeks following inguinal hernia surgery, sometimes one to two weeks post-surgery, Dr. Geier says you can usually perform light exercise and activity such as walking or gently riding a stationary bike. I had 3 hernias fixed about 6 months ago and after a few weeks the pain went away. If you need particular documentation for your job, call the office. A hernia surgery returns the displaced organ to its proper position and fixes the weakened area of tissue. Everyone returns to work at different times. "Aim to build strength in your core, which are the muscle groups in and around your abdomen and lower back ," Dr. Geier says. 1. Wound symptoms: notify us if there is increasing soreness, swelling, drainage or redness of the wound. After a week or so, you should start venturing outside. Many people wonder why we limit activity after abdominal surgery. If you have any questions, feel free to contact us. If you do not have an appointment please call to make one. The more you lift like you were the less fear and hesitation youll have as you see there isnt any issues. Most people can drive after around two weeks and return to light activity by the third week. It may be necessary if there is some drainage. Can You Go To The Gym After Hernia Surgery? Certain foods. You've got this!if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'healthyforbetter_com-medrectangle-4','ezslot_3',109,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-healthyforbetter_com-medrectangle-4-0');if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'healthyforbetter_com-medrectangle-4','ezslot_4',109,'0','1'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-healthyforbetter_com-medrectangle-4-0_1');.medrectangle-4-multi-109{border:none!important;display:block!important;float:none!important;line-height:0;margin-bottom:7px!important;margin-left:auto!important;margin-right:auto!important;margin-top:7px!important;max-width:100%!important;min-height:250px;padding:0;text-align:center!important}. Just remember your body will talk to you. All three types are corrected by surgery, but your recovery from any of these surgeries can be hindered by improper weight lifting. The dressing needs to remain in place for at least 24 to 48 hours after the procedure to minimize the risk of infection. No sex for two to three weeks, and if you've had incisional hernia repair, it is best to delay sex until the fourth week 2. Aim to drink 6 to 8 cups of fluid a day. But the first week you probably won't want to do much of anything.var cid='1641632340';var pid='ca-pub-7929464700085585';var slotId='div-gpt-ad-healthyforbetter_com-medrectangle-3-0';var ffid=2;var alS=2021%1000;var container=document.getElementById(slotId);var ins=document.createElement('ins');ins.id=slotId+'-asloaded';ins.className='adsbygoogle ezasloaded';ins.dataset.adClient=pid;ins.dataset.adChannel=cid;ins.style.display='block';ins.style.minWidth=container.attributes.ezaw.value+'px';ins.style.width='100%';ins.style.height=container.attributes.ezah.value+'px';container.style.maxHeight=container.style.minHeight+'px';container.style.maxWidth=container.style.minWidth+'px';container.appendChild(ins);(adsbygoogle=window.adsbygoogle||[]).push({});window.ezoSTPixelAdd(slotId,'stat_source_id',44);window.ezoSTPixelAdd(slotId,'adsensetype',1);var lo=new MutationObserver(window.ezaslEvent);lo.observe(document.getElementById(slotId+'-asloaded'),{attributes:true});var cid='1641632340';var pid='ca-pub-7929464700085585';var slotId='div-gpt-ad-healthyforbetter_com-medrectangle-3-0_1';var ffid=2;var alS=2021%1000;var container=document.getElementById(slotId);var ins=document.createElement('ins');ins.id=slotId+'-asloaded';ins.className='adsbygoogle ezasloaded';ins.dataset.adClient=pid;ins.dataset.adChannel=cid;ins.style.display='block';ins.style.minWidth=container.attributes.ezaw.value+'px';ins.style.width='100%';ins.style.height=container.attributes.ezah.value+'px';container.style.maxHeight=container.style.minHeight+'px';container.style.maxWidth=container.style.minWidth+'px';container.appendChild(ins);(adsbygoogle=window.adsbygoogle||[]).push({});window.ezoSTPixelAdd(slotId,'stat_source_id',44);window.ezoSTPixelAdd(slotId,'adsensetype',1);var lo=new MutationObserver(window.ezaslEvent);lo.observe(document.getElementById(slotId+'-asloaded'),{attributes:true});.medrectangle-3-multi-108{border:none!important;display:block!important;float:none!important;line-height:0;margin-bottom:7px!important;margin-left:auto!important;margin-right:auto!important;margin-top:7px!important;max-width:100%!important;min-height:250px;padding:0;text-align:center!important}. Immediately post-operative, it is recommended for men wear briefs in place of boxer shorts to provide additional support. You will be given a prescription for pain medication and are encouraged to use this medication as directed. Northeast Ohio 216.444.7000. Brian Leave your ego at the door Do some light stretching though out your day, and when you go to the gym leave the EGO at the door. Place the towel on the swollen area 3 - 5 times a day for 15 - 20 minutes at a time. However, if you notice that you are always nauseated or you are unable to ingest liquids, call your doctor. Remain in this position for a couple of seconds and then slowly return to the starting position. Step ladders and stools: avoid these and other awkward places for at least 10 days. Check out the latest Beachbody Program to lose 15lbs and Run A 5K in just 30 days. While you should take the opportunity to enjoy this milestone, you should also want everyone else to do so too! Inguinal hernia repairs are no different. Either way, listen to the body itll tell you and good luck with your recovery. It is OK to get these little tapes wet in the shower. Non-impact exercise such as cycling, swimming, or elliptical machine training can be done six to 12 weeks after surgical treatment. Hernias are caused by a weakness in the diaphragm or a portion of the abdominal wall. Start light after 8 weeks and build confidence, it took me a long while to start lifting heavy again. After this period, begin weight training with lighter weights, and choose exercises that place the least pressure on your abdominal cavity. Various people will have specific restrictions, but in basic, you must be as energetic as your service provider allows. The surgeon told me no lifting anything heavier than 10kg for about 8 weeks, which is fair enough while I recover and the reinforcing nylon mesh he implanted beds in. Make sure that you can step on the brake without hesitation, vigorously turn the steering wheel and look over both shoulders for cars in the blind spot. You can still get a lot of good work done with just body weight. Keep your wound dry for 24-48 hours depending on what your surgeon says. Inguinal hernia repairs are no different. Will My Belly Button Look Normal After Hernia Surgery? PLEASE READ AT LEAST 2 TIMES PRIOR TO SURGERY! Rather, once a day or two have passed after your surgery, make it a point to get up every day and take a little walk around your house. If you have questions or concerns about inguinal hernia surgery or recovery, please call (714) 541-4996 to chat with Dr. Abtin Khosravi, MD at Orange County Robotic General Surgery. Body weight is the way to go until you feel comfortable and strong. After surgery to repair a hernia, you're likely to have pain for a few days. No alcohol or driving for 24 hours after surgery or while taking pain medicine. For some, it can take a few days before they are able to walk without too much discomfort. If you have been sent home with elastic stockings continue to wear them until you are active and out of bed at least eight hours per day. Heavier exercise, such as running or lifting any weight over 25 pounds needs to wait for two weeks, or when you're completely pain free, whichever is first. Most hernias are asymptomatic but may cause a dull pain. Moving around can be a great thing and speed up your road to recovery however laying off the weights can be too. That means it is OK to walk, climb stairs, lift, have sexual intercourse, mow the lawn, or exercise as long as it doesn't hurt. An inguinal hernia is the most common type of hernia. Bowel movements may occur 1-5 days after surgery, provided that you are not persistently nauseous or having abdominal pain. You'll also see increased strength and flexibility overall. Got back into upper body lifting pretty quick. It goes without saying, then, that sit-ups should be out of the question. Was out of lifting for about 4 weeks. There will only be up to a two inch incision below the belly button so there will be a scar. On the other hand, if your hernia was repaired with the laparoscopic surgery, your doctor made several small incision near the hernia to strengthen the weak area. Manage Settings After hernia surgery you will not be able to lift anything over 15 pounds for the first two weeks minimum. While anyone can develop a hernia, inguinal hernias are much more common in men than they are in women, according to the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. You have any sudden or persistent new pain anywhere except in the incision. We recommend taking Milk of Magnesia (2 tablespoons; twice a day) while taking the pain pills to avoid constipation. Also a good option would be to move any standing workouts where your core is engaged to sitting. Some of the side effects linked to the use of a defective mesh in a surgery are organ perforation or obstruction, mesh adhesions, pain and discomfort, infection, and hernia recurrence, among others. Right after surgery, patients must perform just essential day-to-day features yet can go back to light activity after a few weeks of recuperation. While individual recovery time varies, you can expect to be up and moving around within a few weeks after surgery. Submitted On February 24, 2011. Pay close attention when using heating pads to avoid burns. Ethen 6-8 weeks Start slow, really slow! You will usually be able to drive when you have not needed the narcotic (prescription) pain medications for two days. Generally, most people are able to walk within a few hours following hernia surgery. redness and swelling at the incision site. The First Week Fortunately, if this bulge is a result of an inguinal hernia, your doctor can perform a common surgical procedure to take care of the problem. Avoid sexual activity until given the okay to resume. But before you head back to the gym, it's important to note that just because the inguinal hernia surgery recovery time is over, that doesn't mean your body is ready for intense exercise. What To Avoid After Hernia Surgery. However, if it doesn't feel good, don't do it. That suggests it is okay to walk, climb staircases, lift, have sex-related intercourse, trim the yard, or workout as long as it doesnt hurt. With this procedure, you can expect to designate one to two weeks as the recovery period. Check your oral temperature every evening. After you have recovered from an inguinal hernia, you should stay cognizant of the types of exercises you do to circumvent a relapse. Dr. Jack Bergstein answered 41 years experience 1-2 weeks: While it varies, return to work is often 1 week, even for moderately active jobs. As it protrudes through the abdomen, you may experience pain when you cough, bend over or twist your torso. Planks for core strengthening can also be done six to 12 weeks after surgery. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Below are some more stats of the responses we went through: 6 Weeks Recovery - 82% Back to full abilities including Lifting Weights Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. We give no specific time when driving may commence. Website Accessibility, National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: So take it slow and listen to your body. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. According to Boston Hernia, a hernia-focused surgical practice based in Wellesley, Massachusetts, you should avoid lifting anything over 25 pounds. Always paranoid you're gonna blow something out and prolong recovery. Remember that it is very common to pass a lot more gas from your rectum than you used to--this is because you will not be able to really belch. A good training program after an injury like a hernia should include frequent training of your core. It is usually helpful to use an ice pack on the region of your surgery for the first 24 hours after surgery, or an ice pack 3-5 times per day for 30 minutes for the four days after surgery. However, everyone's recovery timeline is different and it is important to follow the instructions and advice of your doctor. However, if your employment requires heavy lifting or strenuous activity, you may need to take 4 to 6 weeks off from work. After the procedure, it is also important to follow the precautions and guidelines set by your surgeon to have a successful hernia surgery recovery. By clicking Accept, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies. During this period, it is also very common for a patient to pass a lot more gas than they used to. This is temporary. You will want to avoid any type of strenuous holding or lifting of items of any weight above your head. Yet make sure to talk to your physician before tipping up your exercise routine. If you would like to change your settings or withdraw consent at any time, the link to do so is in our privacy policy accessible from our home page.. In fact, the most common type of hernia, the inguinal hernia, affects 27% of men and 3% of women in the United States. After that was two weeks of light duty and doing more as I felt comfortable. I still think that was a week to soon, 5. It is important to tell your surgeon about any questions, concerns, or discomfort you are experiencing. After surgery you will be much weaker, more forgetful and less peppy than you expect. Lifting at the early stage of recovery may cause hernias to come back. Don't listen to any dickhead that says oh i started back a week later or the likes of Its all about longevity. Avoid lifting anything that weighs over 10 lbs. In the mean time focus on your diet and getting your mobility back after the first 4 weeks. Because of this, laparoscopic surgery also means less downtime and recovery for most patients. Foods that stretch the abdomen or promote constipation are off limits. Do not submerge your incision in water for one week from the time of your surgery. This includes young children! Use a thin cloth between Everyone responds differently to surgery. Work-related activities like heavy lifting should be considered core strength training and avoided for a similar period. Absorbable mesh will certainly weaken and also shed strength in time. Yes your belly button will look normal after you recover from hernia surgery. 2023 Drugwatcher.org | All rights reserved. After about 6 weeks you can start hitting the gym with light weights just listen to your body something hurts at all don't do it and move on. Financial Assistance Generally start activities such as jogging or aerobics no sooner than two weeks. Expect to go home after surgery, so plan for a friend/ family member to drive you home. This is expected and will go away with time.