Having a Bowel Movement After Hernia Surgery Don't strain, push or force a bowel movement to avoid damaging the repaired hernia.
The first bowel movement may occur anywhere from 1 – 10 days after surgery. As long as you are not nauseated or having abdominal pain, this variation is acceptable. Constipation can occur after this operation, and taking milk of magnesia (two tablespoons; twice a day) can prevent this issue.
You may notice that your bowel movements are not regular right after your surgery. This is common. Avoid constipation and straining with bowel movements. You may want to take a fibre supplement every day.
DO NOT LIFT, PUSH OR PULL MORE THAN 15 lbs. or use your abdominal muscles for 6 weeks after surgery. This allows time for your incisions to heal and reduces the risk of recurrent hernia formation.
Most people return to a sedentary job within a week and a half and are cleared for full activities after four to six weeks (i.e. contact sports, police officers, firemen, etc.). Avoid lifting more than 10 pounds for four weeks and excessive bending or twisting for one to two weeks following surgery.
At first you may need to rest in bed with your upper body raised on pillows. This helps you breathe easier and may help lessen post-surgery hernia pain. Cold and Heat: Both cold and heat can help lessen some types of post-op pain.
Avoid lifting anything that would make you strain. This may include heavy grocery bags and milk containers, a heavy briefcase or backpack, cat litter or dog food bags, a vacuum cleaner, or a child. Ask your doctor when you can drive again. Most people are able to return to work within 1 to 2 weeks after surgery.
Activity. There are no medical or physical restrictions on activity after surgery. That means it is OK to walk, climb stairs, lift, have sexual intercourse, mow the lawn, or exercise as long as it doesn't hurt. In fact, returning to normal activity as soon as possible will most likely enhance your recovery.
After surgery, your caregivers will frequently ask whether you have passed gas. This is because passing gas is a sign that your bowels are returning to normal. You may not have a bowel movement for four to five days following surgery.
Complications of constipation after surgery
Untreated constipation can lead to discomfort and potentially severe complications, such as: A surgical incision reopening. This can occur if people have to strain to pass stool. Hemorrhoids.
Stool softeners are a great way to improve and prevent constipation, and over-the-counter options such as Colace and Metamucil can work well before and after hernia repair. Laxatives are often the last resort as these treatments force a bowel movement and come with side effects.
People with an abdominal or ventral hernia may experience discomfort during bowel movements. An abdominal hernia causes a bulge in the outer abdomen, and any activity that strains the hernia can increase discomfort. People with an abdominal hernia may have constipation or thin, narrow stools.
A failed inguinal hernia repair may cause groin pain and testicular pain. Infection - Hernia mesh infections happen when bacteria builds up on the implant causing flu-like symptoms, fatigue, fever, swelling and tenderness around the surgery site.
To prevent further injury and trauma to the hernia repair site, avoid sleeping flat on the sides and back.
After surgery, you should have a responsible adult stay with you for 24 hours to monitor you for possible complications. Make sure to get plenty of rest, as adequate sleep will help you heal quicker. If you need to move, cough, sneeze or stand, apply gentle pressure to the affected area before and during the movement.
The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) states that hernia mesh is a permanent implant. It means that once implanted; it is not designed to be removed. The FDA also states that hernia mesh should last a lifetime.
Try to avoid vigorous coughing if your repair was done with the open method. Coughing may strain your incision. For a couple of weeks, when you need to cough or sneeze, splint your incision. This means putting pressure over your incision with your hands, a rolled up blanket, or a pillow.
Yes, walking helps with your hernia surgery recovery, but if you overdo it and strain your recently repaired area, you could do significant damage. Pushing your body too quickly will do more harm than good. If you don't think you can walk comfortably, don't.
Your Recovery
You should start to feel better after a few days. And you'll probably feel much better in 7 days. For a few weeks you may feel discomfort or pulling in the groin area when you move. You may have some bruising near the repair site and on your genitals.
One Week After Hernia Surgery – Walking as Necessary Only
Walking around your house as needed is okay, but you should not be going to work or driving during this part of your recovery. You should even avoid small tasks like making your bed as much as possible during this week of recovery.
People who have a mesh plug used to repair their hernias often feel the mesh plug. While it's not always painful, some chronic pain issues are likely due to the shape and location of the mesh plug.
Mild pain or tenderness may be the only symptoms of hernia mesh failure. In other cases, patients may experience a burning sensation around the surgical site or a bulging area that protrudes through the skin. Bulging may be caused by the mesh dislodging or migrating, which can cause inflammation and pain.
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.