subject: Recovery Time For Inguinal Hernia Surgery - What to Expect [print this page]
A hernia consists of a rupture or weakness in the muscle of the abdominal wall of the body. Internal tissues or organs, such as a part of the intestines, can protrude through that abdominal wall. The result is often a visible bulge on the outside of the body. It may be painful, or it could be accompanied with a dragging feeling in the affected area.
An inguinal hernia is a type of hernia which presents in the groin area of the body. Mainly affecting men but also affecting women on occasion, inguinal hernias are a fairly common occurrence.
If you have been diagnosed with an inguinal hernia or suspect that you have one, it is wise to seek advice from your doctor about getting surgical repair as soon as possible.
What Takes Place in a Hernia Surgery Procedure
Hernia surgeries are fairly common. During the procedure, the surgeon accesses the compromised muscle wall and gently pushes the herniated tissue or organ back into the body cavity. Then, the muscle is sutured with stitches, usually with a mesh material added to the location to enhance its strength.
Types of Hernia Surgery
There are two main types of hernia surgery: open and laparoscopic. Open hernia surgery is essentially a traditional surgery procedure whereby the surgeon creates a large incision outside the body and accesses the herniated tissue that way.
By contrast, laparoscopic surgery involves the surgeon making a much smaller incision and then entering the body with a tiny camera and surgical instruments.
Recovery Time for Inguinal Hernia Surgery
For laparoscopic surgery, recovery time is usually 1-2 weeks. Meanwhile, for open hernia surgery, it is about 4 weeks.
It is important to note that your recovery time in either case will depend in part upon how well you take care of yourself after surgery. For example, it is very important to avoid any type of strenuous activity such as heavy lifting during the entire recovery period
On the other hand, do not make the mistake of simply staying in bed, immobile, during the entire recovery period. Instead, it is important to get up and gently walk around on a regular basis. Doing so will help to strengthen the abdominal walls during recovery.
If the area around your incision swells or turns red, be sure to contact your doctor right away. Do the same if you develop a fever within a few days after surgery. All of these are signs of a possible infection.
Recovery Time For Inguinal Hernia Surgery - What to Expect
