FAQs
Each patient is an individual. Most patients are able to have their surgery in an outpatient setting, sometimes even with local anesthesia. However, patients with very large, complex hernia repairs, or those with some pre-existing medical conditions need a short hospitalization.
Most patients who have inguinal hernias repaired either laparoscopically or with the Ethicon Hernia System are able to resume full duty with no restrictions beginning two weeks after surgery. It is often possible to resume light duty by the first week. Patients with very large ventral hernias may require up to six weeks off of work if heavy straining is required in their jobs.
Before closing most incisions, the surgeon blocks the wound with a local anesthetic to minimize the pain on awakening. Also, the patient is frequently given a shot before waking up. A prescription for pain medications (normally Lortab or Percocet) is usually more than adequate for the first two to three days after surgery. Pain is also minimized by the new 'tension free' techniques of hernia repairs that we practice.
Any time you feel like it--after you leave the recovery room! Next question . . .
Most activities (including running, tennis, and golf) can resume starting two weeks after an inguinal hernia repair. With the new techniques, even heavy weight lifting can resume three weeks after surgery. Swimming, including scuba diving, can resume in two to three weeks.
Most of the time, patients can resume driving one week after inguinal hernia surgery. Do NOT drive while on prescription pain pills. On the recommendation of your surgeon, get on Advil or Aleve for 3-5 days on average, and then you can drive. After a complex ventral hernia repair, three weeks of no driving is usually required to get back one's normal reflexes.
Women DO frequently develop inguinal hernias because the anatomy predisposes to its development. They commonly develop along the course of the 'round ligament', which is the female counterpart of the male spermatic cord. Inguinal hernias in females can go undiagnosed for literally years. They will mimic many other problems such as appendicitis, diverticulitis, and ovarian problems.
Everyone is unique, with different hernias and different medical histories.
It is important to individualize surgery recommendations for each patient.
There is no one type of repair that can be done at all times. For example, in a
patient with recurring colon infections or surgery (diverticulitis), a laparoscopic repair
may not be possible. A patient who medically is a high risk for general anesthesia
may be an excellent candidate for an open repair with mesh, done with local anesthesia
and sedation. The healthy patient with
bilateral inguinal hernias is an excellent candidate for the laparoscopic repair.
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This page last edited: 12/20/07