If you have a hernia that's getting larger or causing problems, your doctor may recommend hernia repair surgery. Hernias don't always cause problems, but if a hernia is painful, surgery could be the best option. Here's an overview of hernia repair surgery.
You May Not Need A Hospital Stay
Many hernia surgeries are done as an outpatient surgery. You'll probably need general anesthesia, but once you've recovered sufficiently, you'll go home the same day. In some cases, a short hospital stay might be needed. Your doctor determines this based on the type of hernia surgery you have and your medical history.
If you'll go home the same day, you'll need someone else to drive you. You may also want someone to stay with you the first day and night to offer help if you need it.
The Surgery Is Often Minimally Invasive
There may be times you'd need open surgery, such as if there is scarring around the hernia or too much body fat in the way, but most of the time, hernia repair surgery is a minimally invasive procedure. The surgery uses small incisions and the insertion of a camera to see the hernia rather than opening up your body. Minimally invasive surgery is usually easier to recover from since there isn't a long incision.
Your Hernia Is Put Back In Place
A hernia is when an organ or tissues bulge through a break in your muscle. You may see this protrusion and even be able to push the hernia back in place. Hernia repair surgery also pushes the hernia back inside, and then the hernia is held in place with mesh or muscle that's stitched together.
When the organ is back in its proper place and held there, you'll be free from the pain and bulging that often occurs when you do heavy lifting or when you cough.
You Usually Recover Quickly
Since the surgery is minimally invasive, recovery is usually fast. You'll need to limit strenuous activity, but you'll be able to resume most of your activities as soon as you feel like it. Walking and other forms of movement are encouraged because healing is often quicker when you move around when compared to being on bed rest.
Hernia repair is major surgery, so you'll need to take off from work. Your doctor lets you know how long to take off since it depends on the type of work you do. If you work all day seated at a computer, you can probably go back to work quicker than you could if you do heavy labor on your job.
Contact a local doctor's office to learn more about hernia repair surgery.
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