Inguinal hernia - discharge

You had surgery to repair an inguinal hernia caused by a weakness in the abdominal wall in your groin
area. You probably had general or spinal anesthesia (asleep and pain-free). You may have had a small
hernia that was repaired while you were given local anesthesia (awake but pain-free).

Your nurse will give you pain medicine and help you begin to move around. Rest and gentle movement
are important for recovery.

You may go home the same day as your surgery. Or you may spend 1 to 2 days in the hospital. It will
depend on the procedure you had.

What to Expect at Home

After your, or your child's, hernia repair:

 You will probably have stitches and special bandages on your incision.
 You may have some pain, soreness, and stiffness at first, especially when you move. This is
normal.
 You will also feel tired after surgery.
 You will most likely return to your normal activities in just a few weeks.
 Men may have swelling and pain in their testicles.
 You may have some bruising around the groin and testicular area.
 You may have trouble passing urine for the first few days.

Make sure you get plenty of rest when you get home for the first 2 or 3 days. Ask family and friends for
help with daily activities while your movements are limited.

Managing Your Pain

Take all of your pain medicines as instructed by the surgeon or nurse. You may be given a prescription
for a narcotic pain medicine. Or the surgeon may suggest over-the-counter pain medicine (ibuprofen,
acetaminophen) for the first 2 weeks after surgery.

You may apply a cold compress to the incision area for 20 minutes at a time for pain for the first few days.
Wrap the compress or ice in a towel. Do not apply directly to your skin.

Wound Care

Take good care of your incision and dressings.

 You will need to keep your incision covered with bandages for the first 2 to 3 days.
 A little bleeding and drainage is normal until the stitches are taken out or they dissolve. Apply
antibiotic ointment (bacitracin, polysporin) or another solution to the incision area if your doctor or
nurse told you to.
 You may wash the area with mild soap and water after your stitches are gone. Gently pat it dry.
Do not take a bath, soak in a hot tub, or go swimming for the first week after surgery.
You may also be taking antibiotics to prevent infection. Make sure you finish the medicine as your doctor
told you to.

Your Diet During Recovery

Pain medicines can cause constipation, so make sure you are eating some high-fiber foods and drinking
plenty of water. Antibiotics can cause diarrhea. If this happens, try eating yogurt with live cultures or
taking psyllium (Metamucil).

Restricting Activities

Give yourself time to heal. For about a week, avoid strenuous activities, heavy lifting, jogging, or
swimming. You may gradually resume normal activities, such as walking, driving, and sexual activity,
when you are ready. Do not drive if you are taking narcotic medications.

Do not lift anything over 10 pounds (about a gallon jug of milk) for 4 to 6 weeks, or until your doctor tells
you it is okay. Older boys and men may want to wear an athletic supporter if they have swelling or pain in
the testicles.

Check with your doctor before returning to sports or other high-impact activities. Protect your incision area
from the sun for 1 year to prevent noticeable scarring.

Follow-up

Schedule a follow-up appointment with your doctor as directed. Usually this visit is about 2 weeks after
surgery.

When to Call the Doctor

Call your doctor if you have:

 Severe pain or soreness

 A lot of bleeding from your incision
 Difficulty breathing
 Light headedness that doesn’t go away after a few days
 Chills, or fever over 101°F (38.3°C)
 Pus, warmth, or redness at the incision site
 Trouble urinating
 Swelling or pain in the testicles that is getting worse

Alternate Names

Hernioraphy - discharge; Hernioplasty - discharge

References

Malangoni MA, Rosen MJ. Hernias. In: Townsend CM, Beauchamp RD, Evers BM, Mattox KL,
eds. Sabiston Textbook of Surgery. 19th ed. Philadelphia, PA:Elsevier Saunders; 2012:chap 46.

Update Date: 2/7/2013

Updated by: Matthew M. Cooper, MD, FACS, Medical Director, Cardiovascular Surgery, HealthEast Care
System, St. Paul, MN. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.Also reviewed by A.D.A.M.
Health Solutions, Ebix, Inc., Editorial Team: David Zieve, MD, MHA, Bethanne Black, Stephanie Slon,
and Nissi Wang.

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