Hernia Repair Discharge Instructions

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GENERAL COMMENTS

Listed below are discharge instructions for your post operative care. In general, most people take several days to a week off of work to recuperate after a hernia repair. You will most likely tire easily and have some groin tenderness for about 1-2 weeks. This is normal. Plan to take rest periods throughout each day as you feel you need them. Occasionally patients may have trouble with constipation because they are not as active the first few days after their surgery or because of a pain medication such as Vicodin. The constipation may be relieved by increasing fluid intake or by taking a mild over-the-counter stool softener or mild laxative. Your bowel function should return to your previous pattern within a week to 10 days. Generally patients find they are back to their usual daily routine within 1-2 weeks after surgery and fully recovered within a month.

MEDICATION

• Ibuprofen (Advil; Motrin, etc.) one tablet every 4-6 hours, as needed, for mild pain
• Acetaminophen (Tylenol) regular or extra strength 1-2 tablets every 4-6 hours as needed for mild pain
• Vicodin (Acetaminophen with codeine) prescription only as directed for moderate pain (may cause constipation and occasionally nausea or abdominal discomfort)
• Over the counter stool softener or laxative daily, such as Milk of Magnesia tm as needed for constipation.

DIET

ENCOURAGE fluid intake of 8-10 glasses per day (juice or water). You may eat a normal diet.
 
 

BATHING/SHOWERING

• You may shower/bathe 24 hours after surgery.
• Leave clear plastic dressing over incision for 7 days. You may remove the dressing or ask Dr. Vazquez to remove the dressing. You may notice that a small amount of blood collects under the clear dressing. This occurrence is acceptable.
• You may use a mild soap to gently cleanse your incision and carefully pat dry after the clear plastic dressing is removed.
• Pateints who have had a laparoscopic hernia repair will have bandaid dressings. These bandaids should be changed when they are wet, such as after a shower/bath or if they are soiled.

ACTIVITIES AT HOME

• Gradually increase your activity. Take rest periods as needed.
• ENCOURAGE walking.
• Get adequate amounts of sleep each night.
• AVOID vigorous activity
• NO heavy lifting (> 20 Ibs.) for 6 weeks.
• You may do lighter aerobic exercise 3 weeks after surgery (e.g. biking, swimming, golfing, jogging, stair climbing, etc.).
• NO sprinting, sit-ups or heavy weight lifting.

Patients who have laparoscopic hernia repair usually experience less postoperative disability than other procedures mentioned above. The laparoscopic hernia disability time is reduced to 20 to 30% of the expected open hernia disability.

DRIVING

• Resume driving when you are pain free and off pain medication. In addition, you should not drive a car until you are able to deal with driving emergencies, such as slamming on the brakes or a disabled vehicle.

CARE OF INCISION

• Ice pack to surgical site for 24 hours over insulation, if ice pack seems to bring comfort.
• May brace your incision with a small pillow when coughing and/or sneezing.
• May cover your incision with a loose sterile gauze pad or bandaid to reduce any irritation that may occur from contact with clothing.
• MALES: May wear "brief" type underwear day and night for a few days to minimize scrotal swelling and tenderness.
• Expect the occurrence of a firm ridge of healing tissue under the surgical incision.

WATCH FOR THE FOLLOWING SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS AND NOTIFY YOUR PHYSICIAN IF THESE OCCUR:
 
 

• Temperature over 101.5F
• Drainage or fluid from incision that may be foul smelling
• Increased tenderness or soreness at the wound or the wound edges are no longer together
• Redness or swelling at the incision site
• Persistent nausea, vomiting, diarrhea or constipation
• Swelling, redness and/or persistent pain in legs
• Difficulty urinating

SEXUAL ACTIVITY

You may gradually return to previous level of activity. Certain positions may be more comfortable until incision heals.
 
 

FOLLOW-UP CARE

Please feel free to e-mail Dr. Vazquez with any medical questions,

or contact our office with any other questions.

Richard M. Vazquez, M.D., F.A.C.S.

201 East Huron Street

Suite 11-250

Chicago, Illinois 60611

(312) 649-6562