Recovery From Hernia Surgery
Recovery from hernia surgery varies dramatically from one patient to the next. While one patient may have open hernia surgery and have little to no pain afterwards, another patient can have laparoscopic surgery and still develop moderate to severe pain. However, on average, most patients can expect the following overview of recovery after hernia surgery.
Recovery Basics
As with any surgery, most patients experience post operative pain in the area of their hernia repair. Most patients will also experience some level of swelling and bruising in the area. We discuss with patients that it is not uncommon to feel occasional pulling, tugging, burning, and other unusual sensations in the groin for up to year. These occasional feelings are considered normal after any surgery, including hernia surgery.
Each person will recover differently. The most important aspect of recovery is to listen to your individual body: if it hurts – stop, if it's sore – ice it and take a day off.
Patients can also review "Recovery After Hernia Surgery" on our FAQ page for answers to questions not found here.
The First Weekend, Days 0-4
Patients should not plan any significant personal or work related activities during this time period. Only basic daily functions should be performed: walking around the house, visiting the store, and eating at home.
Patients should expect to be off from work or school for this time period and should expect to feel moderate pain, which often requires oral prescribed pain pills (Percocet, Codeine).
First week, Days 4-7
Most patients will be able to return to work or school by post operative day 4. However, patients are advised to avoid any heavy lifting of greater than 10-20 pounds. Although each patient is different, most should expect to only be at about 50% of normal work or school load during this first week.
At home, most patients will be able to resume light activities and at work without any heavy lifting. Patients will experience mild pain, requiring an occasional pain pill or Tylenol & Advil. For exercise some light stretching, walking and other slow paced activities can be performed.
Week 2, Days 7-14
All patients will be able to return to work or school but with lifting limitations of less than 20 pounds. Patients should expect to be about 75% of their normal during this time.
For exercise, patients my resume jogging, biking, yoga, Pilates, leisurely tennis, light weights at the gym (less than 20 pounds). Patients will experience occasional discomfort, some stiffness or soreness, which is usually adequately treated with Tylenol or Advil.
Week 3, Days 14-21
All patients will be able to return to work or school but with lifting limitations of less than 20 pounds. Again, patients should expect to be about 85% of their normal capacity.
Exercise activity can be increased, including running, cycling, yoga, Pilates, swimming, surfing, tennis, golf, light weights at the gym (less than 20 pounds). Oral pain medicines are not usually required.
Week 4 and After
All patients will be able to return to work or school without lifting limitations. Patients should expect to be about 95% of their normal capacity and quickly be back to 100% within days to weeks. Patients can return to all athletic activities including contact sports, heavy lifting (squats, dead lifts, bench press, etc), as well as training and competitions.
Keep in mind that it's not uncommon for patients to feel pulling, tugging, aches, burning, heaviness, swelling, occasional sharp pains, and overall 'discomfort' for months after hernia surgery. However, these occasional symptoms should become less and less frequent over time.
Sexual Activity
As soon as patients can engage in sexual activities without severe pain, they can resume their normal activities. Just as with returning to work and athletic activities, there will be some recovery period before patients feel back to normal. The 50%, 75%, 85%, and 95% rule above for work and school applies to sexual activity.
Constipation
Oral pain medicines all have the side effect of causing constipation. Many patients who have never taken pain medicines before can be very sensitive to the narcotics in pain pills. Therefore, we strongly recommend that patients have over the counter colace, or other stool softeners available for after the surgery. We recommend patients take these starting the night of surgery and continue until normal bowel function returns.
We encourage patients to download our 'Hernia Recovery Chart' to learn more about what to expect after hernia surgery:
Short Term Recovery
Below, Dr. Todd S. Harris discusses what to expect in the days after hernia surgery. He gives advice on how to minimize discomfort and about the recommendations that California Hernia Specialists provides to patients for after their surgery.
Long Term Recovery
In this short video, Dr. Todd S. Harris discusses what to expect for long term recovery the weeks and months after hernia surgery.
Hear From Our Patients on Recovery
Listen to our past patients discuss their experiences with initial recovery:
Listen to our past patients discuss their experiences with long term recovery:
Important points to consider when choosing a hernia surgeon:
- The newest, advanced lightweight mesh can reduce not only recurrence rates for hernias, but also reduces the chance of postoperative mesh pain to almost zero.
- Being treated at a specialized hernia center with an in-house accredited ASC provides the highest quality care before, during, and after your hernia surgery.
- Patients should be seen by a surgeon who can offer all forms of hernia surgery, including open lightweight mesh techniques, as well as advanced laparoscopic techniques. This ensures the surgeon can offer the best technique tailored for each patient.
- Costs for uninsured patients are approximately $1500 for the surgeon fees, and $2000 for the surgery center fees (including OR time, materials, and recovery) for a total of approximately $3500.
- Some laparoscopic patients experience less pain post-operatively and may be able to return to normal activities sooner (when compared to traditional hernia repair). Laparoscopic hernia surgery can result in better patient experiences for some patients.
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