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pain after hernia surgery
There is no science behind my answers. Each surgeon, technique and patient will have a different outcome and recovery pattern.
For the average patient (complex operations and patients with known chronic pain disorders excepted), it is expected that hernia recovery be simple, quick. Most laparoscopic inguinal hernia repairs require 1-3 days of recovery, and open inguinal hernias about 1 week. For abdominal wall hernias, small umbilical hernia repairs take 3-5 days, and larger repairs of laparoscopic and open hernias require about 2 weeks. These are in best circumstances, without any complexities, underlying problems.
In terms of postoperative activity restriction, most experts agree that there is no evidence to support any restrictions in activity. In fact, activity may improve results from repair. Lifting restrictions are arbitrary as well. For most straightforward inguinal hernia repairs, I do not restrict my patients’ activities at all. I do restrict activities that are known risk factors for hernia recurrence: coughing, straining to have a bowel movement/urinate, nicotine use). For abdominal wall hernia repairs, restrictions are usually placed in patients with large hernias, tenuous repairs, unhealthy tissue. Otherwise, still many of us experts cannot scientifically claim that restrictions in activity or lifting will prevent hernia recurrence.
We need more research on this topic.
For sure, most of is specialists do not recommend weeks and months of limited activities. That will likely cause weight gain, muscle weakness, and even prevent optimal healing.