Since normal swelling after hernia surgery is part of the healing process, the body can take three to six months to get rid of the swelling.
This is normal and usually settles within about a week. However, the swelling may not go down for several weeks. Hospital staff will advise you about taking painkillers to relieve any discomfort.
Excess fluid accumulation, daily habits, poor diet, underlying health issues, and the type, size, and extent of the repair are several of many factors that can affect the time it takes post-surgery swelling to subside.
Your belly will feel bloated for about one week; you may not be able to close your pants. This will pass as the gas in the abdomen is absorbed.
Swelling or bulging after hernia surgery at the incision site is pretty common and there is very little to worry about. Body secretes fluids to help the area heal.
Will my stomach shrink after hernia repair? The size of your stomach will not necessarily shrink after a hernia repair. However, depending on the cause of your hernia and the type of repair you have, you may experience changes in your abdominal appearance after surgery.
Your lymphatic system has been impacted
One of the main reasons swelling occurs in the body is that the lymphatic system has been disrupted during surgery. I always remind my patients that swelling is an important part of the recovery process and is essential for healing!
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.
Umbilical Hernia Surgery Sleep Hygiene
Soreness and pain upon movement and during sleep are common during the first few weeks of recovery. To prevent further injury and trauma to the hernia repair site, avoid sleeping flat on the sides and back.
The muscles and tissues around the belly button are repaired, and the cut is closed with stitches. Usually there is only a small scar, but if the hernia is very large, the belly button may not look normal.
The area around your navel may be swollen. You may also feel tired and have less energy than normal. This is common. You should feel better after a few days.
1. Extreme Bloating. Extreme bloating is one of the most common symptoms of hernia mesh failing or being rejected by the body.
For several weeks you may feel discomfort or pulling in the hernia repair when you move. You may have some bruising around the area of the repair. This is normal.
Deep breathing and circulation exercises are good. 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.
Many people are able to return to work within 2 to 3 days after surgery. But if your job requires you to do heavy lifting or strenuous activity, you may need to take 4 to 6 weeks off from work.
Temporary bloating is a common occurrence and typically does not last for more than a few days. It is usually not a cause for concern. Bloating is a side effect of a surgical procedure that can sometimes happen due to anesthesia, extra fluid retention, or damage to the lymphatic system.
Walking encourages the peristaltic movement of the bowels, relieving gas and constipation. A heat pack may also provide relief. If you are allowed to drink, hot peppermint tea is a great remedy to help gastrointestinal motility and relieve painful gas pains.
It takes about two years for the strength of your abdominal wall to return to the strength you had before the operation. To achieve this you should continue your core stability exercises two times daily remembering that the exercises may cause discomfort but should not cause pain.
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.
Non-absorbable mesh will remain in the body indefinitely but may undergo some degradation over time. It is used to provide permanent reinforcement to the repaired hernia. Absorbable mesh will be absorbed and lose strength over time.
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.