Hernia surgery normally takes less than an hour to complete from the time you are wheeled into the operating room until you enter the recovery area.
The operation usually takes about 30 to 45 minutes to complete and you'll usually be able to go home on the same day. Some people stay in hospital overnight if they have other medical problems or live on their own.
Of course, the actual time it takes to complete your hernia surgery depends on the type of hernia, its size, and any possible complications. It also depends on the type of procedure, such as laparoscopic or traditional “open” surgery. Most hernia surgeries last between 45 minutes and two hours.
Various anaesthetic techniques are possible. The operation usually takes about 45 minutes. Your surgeon will make a cut on your groin and remove the 'hernial sac'. They will strengthen the muscle layer with stitches, usually inserting a synthetic mesh to cover the weak spot, and close your skin.
Conventional repair
Open hernia repair is a major surgery that's performed with the aid of general anesthesia or local anesthesia and sedation.
Typically, the hardest part about hernia surgery recovery, is the discomfort within the first 48 hours after surgery. By the third day after surgery, pain and discomfort will usually begin to improve.
Rare but serious risks and side effects include: Complications related to anesthesia, including heart attack and stroke (these are not related specifically to hernia operations). Injury to blood vessels and nearby organs, including your bladder and intestines. Death.
Most patients will be fully recovered in one week and can resume some normal activities, such as driving, walking and some duties at work; however, due to the use of internal stitches or staples, your surgeon will advise you when it is safe to resume any heavy lifting pushing or pulling.
Time Frame for Hernia Surgery Recovery
If your elderly loved one has laparoscopic surgery, the healing time will be quicker than if they had open surgery. Usually, patients are healed within 3 weeks after surgery.
The operation is performed under a general anaesthetic and usually takes about 30 minutes (less than an hour for a repair to both sides). Your surgeon will make a small cut on or near your belly button so they can insert an instrument in your abdominal cavity to inflate it with gas (carbon dioxide).
Hernia surgery normally takes less than an hour to complete from the time you are wheeled into the operating room until you enter the recovery area. After the procedure is over, you will remain in recovery for a few hours so the nurses can monitor your condition.
For a few days after hernia repair surgery, you may suffer mild to severe pain. Most patients feel better within a couple of days of surgery and noticeably improve by seven days. For a few weeks following surgery, you may experience bruising, tugging, or slight twinges in the affected area when moving.
When can I return to work after hernia surgery? Most people can return to work within three days to two weeks after surgery. People who perform manual labor may need more time off.
The length of hernia surgery depends on the type of hernia and the complexity of the procedure. For simple hernias, the surgery can typically be completed in about an hour. However, more complex hernia procedures may take longer, up to four hours. The length of hernia surgery also depends on the type of technique used.
Don't move quickly or lift anything heavy until you are feeling better. Be active. Walking is a good choice. You most likely can return to light activity after 1 to 3 weeks, depending on the type of surgery you had.
The Procedure
The operation can be as short as two hours or last five hours or more. This depends on the patient's age, medical conditions, hernia size, complications from prior surgeries and other factors. You may be required to stay at the hospital one or more nights depending on the complexity of your case.
Many patients feel well enough to perform normal daily activities – including driving and return to work – after only a couple of days, but we restrict patient activity for 2 weeks to allow for adequate healing. Patients should not exercise or do any heavy lifting for the first 2 weeks after hernia surgery.
Of course, they should not be doing any strenuous exercise, but all patients after a hernia operation, be it laparoscopic hernia surgery or open, should be encouraged to get out of bed as much as possible and move around. Absolute bed rest is no longer recommended for hernia operations.
If you or an elderly loved one needs hernia repair surgery, there's no need to worry. Modern medical technology and surgical practices have evolved tremendously over the last few years, so patients of all ages have better outcomes after surgery.
Mild pain or tenderness around the surgery site is one sign of hernia mesh failure. Some patients may experience hernia recurrence, bulging or infection. Reasons for hernia mesh failure include product design, a patient's preexisting health conditions and surgical techniques.
The hernia becomes strangulated. This can cause permanent damage and is a surgical emergency. Strangulated organs, usually your intestines, will die, and if not removed quickly, you can become seriously ill.
Overall SMR was 1.4 (95% confidence interval, 1.2-1.6) for men and 4.2 (95% confidence interval, 3.2-5.4) for women, in accordance with a greater proportion of emergency operations among women compared with men, 17.0%, versus 5.1%. Conclusions: Mortality risk following elective hernia repair is low, even at high age.
RESULTS Results showed that out of the 88 patients enrolled in this study 35 (39.8%) experienced mild pain, 37(42%) experience moderate pain and only 16 (18.2%) experienced severe pain. Quality of life was satisfactory in 72(81%) and unsatisfactory in 13(14.7%).
VOIDING / URINATING
Occasionally, after surgery, your bladder may become too full with urine, and urinary retention can develop. This may manifest as either: 1) inability to void, 2) frequent voiding, or 3) frequent voiding of small amounts of urine.