Hernia Repair

What to expect and how to prepare for a Herniorraphy

Herniorraphy is the surgical repair of a weakness or tear in your abdominal or groin muscle where abdominal contents can bulge out.

A hernia repair can be done two ways:

Laparoscopic repair: small incisions are made in the abdomen. By using a special scope and instruments, the repair can be made. A general anesthetic is needed to keep you comfortable. Synthetic mesh will be placed on the underside of the weakened area to provide strength.
Open repair: an incision is made over the hernia. If mesh is used, it will be placed on top of the weakened area. You may not need a general anesthetic for this type of repair.
You can best prepare yourself for surgery by reading the Hernia Surgery pamphlet given to you by your nurse.

This page outlines what to expect and how to prepare for your operation, and plan for your recovery.

How to Prepare for Your Operation

Remember:
No Aspirin

Before Your Operation

Things to Remember

Read the Hernia Surgery pamphlet, and ask any questions that you may have.
Do NOT take aspirin, Motrin, Advil or similar products for two weeks prior to your surgery (see info sheet).
Don't shave your operative site.

Do NOT shave your operative site before coming to the hospital.
Have an adult drive you home from the hospital and stay with you the first night. You cannot drive yourself, or take a taxi home from the hospital.

24 Hours Before Your Operation

Things to Do

Shower: Using the antibacterial soap your nurse gave you to clean your body. Do NOT use the antibacterial soap on your face and hair. (See directions attached to the soap bottle.) Use your own soap and shampoo on your face and hair. Use clean towels to dry off, and put on clean clothing.
Arrival time: The pre-surgery nurse will call you by 5:00 p.m. the night before your operation. If you are having surgery on Monday, the nurse will call you on Friday. If you do not hear from the nurse by 5:00 p.m., please call (206) 598-6334.

The pre-surgery nurse will tell you when to come to the hospital. They will also remind you to:
- not eat or drink after a certain time
- have someone drive you home
- take or not take your regular medications. You should take high blood pressure, thyroid and seizure medications the day of surgery. Use only enough water to swallow your pills.

What to Expect After Your Operation

Precautions and Self-Care to Speed Your Recovery

Medicine given during and after your operation will affect you. For 24 hours after your surgery do not:

Drive or travel alone
Operate machines
Drink alcohol
Sign any legal papers
Care for another person

Incisions
Plastic bandages will cover your incisions. You can remove the plastic bandages and shower 48 hours after your operation. Underneath, your incisions will be covered by white tapes called steri-strips. These tapes will fall off by themselves in several days. Look at your incisions daily for signs of infection such as redness, increased swelling, foul-smelling drainage, or increase in the amount of drainage from your wound.

Questions?

Contact Surgical Specialties Nurse Advice Line:
206-598-4549
Monday - Friday
8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
After hours call Paging:
206-598-6190
and ask them to page the resident on call for General Surgery, or your attending surgeon.

Call The Nurse Advice Line or Your Doctor If:

You have any difficulty urinating.
You have bleeding that soaks your dressing.
Your temperature is greater than 100ºF or 38ºC, or you have chills.
You have any sign of infection: redness, increased pain, swelling, foul-smelling drainage, or increase in the amount of drainage from your wound.
You are sick to your stomach and throwing up.
You have concerns that cannot wait until your follow-up visit.

Pain Management
For several weeks after your operation, you will notice pain or pulling at the hernia repair site. Use this as a guide to not overdo activities. (See the back of this pamphlet for activity guidelines.)
Take your medicines as ordered. Resume your prior medicines as ordered except for aspirin, or aspirin-like products. You can take aspirin or aspirin-like medicines two weeks after your operation.

Constipation
If narcotic pain medicines are being taken, you may need to take a laxative to avoid straining when having a bowel movement. You should only need to prevent straining during the recovery period of two to three weeks.

Swelling
If you notice swelling within 24 hours of surgery, you can place ice on your wound at 10-minute intervals to decrease the swelling. For men with scrotal swelling raise your scrotum by placing a rolled towel underneath it while lying down. This is a common problem for men after repair of bilateral groin hernias (a hernia on each side of the groin).

Urination
Your nerves can be irritated by surgery. You will need to urinate before you go home. If you have any you have trouble urinating once you get home, call the Nurse Advice Line.

Activity Restrictions
To prevent another hernia, do not lift more than 15 pounds for three weeks after your operation. You should also avoid heavy physical activity (anything that increases the pressure in your abdomen) for three weeks. After three weeks, you can resume regular activity and lifting. Start out slowly for the next two weeks, and gradually increase your activity back to your usual level.

Going Home
Patients are usually ready to go home the day of surgery. You will need a ride home.

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