What to Expect After Inguinal Hernia Surgery

by Susan Willis

An inguinal hernia is the medical name for what happens when there is a weakness or tear in the groin area that allows part of the intestines to protrude through the abdominal wall. While the condition may or may not be painful, it will usually result in a visible lump forming around the groin area. Sometimes, the hernia will only be painful when the person moves into different positions with their body, such as sitting up.

Some people will notice this lump come and go for a period of days or weeks before they finally decide to visit their doctor to get it diagnosed. It is only then that they find out for sure that they have an inguinal hernia. At that time, the doctor and patient will schedule a time for surgery, if the doctor deems that surgery is necessary.

If this describes you, here are some tips for before and after surgery:

Before surgery:

Remember to prepare yourself, your friends, family and your home in the days before your surgery. This includes alerting people you know, including friends and co-workers, that your surgery date is coming up and that you might not be as responsive as usual for the first few days after surgery. In other words: you will want to manage their expectations.

Buy any healthy snacks you may need. And, get yourself something to do, like magazines, games, books and DVDs, so that you can pass the time with as little boredom as possible.

Here is what to expect after inguinal hernia surgery.

1. The first day after surgery, you will likely want to stay in bed. Restricting movement is a good idea, and your doctor will usually prescribe strong painkillers for use during this time.

2. You will need to avoid heavy lifting of any kind for at least 2-3 weeks after the surgery. Otherwise, you could risk re-opening the incision that the surgeons created.

3. On Day 2 or Day 3, make sure you are spending most of your time OUT of bed. Yes, contrary to what may feel intuitively true, you actually need to keep your body in motion each day after surgery. If you just stay in bed for days or weeks after surgery, you are not giving the muscles around your incision that chance to get stronger. People who have tried not to move at all for a week or more after hernia surgery often report problems of persistent pain and/or re-opening their wound because they had failed to give the muscles a chance to strengthen.

4. As the days pass, you will find yourself needing the heavy painkillers less and less. Your doctor may suggest that you switch to acetaminophen or a similar, over-the-counter painkiller at that point.

5. Make sure you keep your wound clean in the days and weeks following surgery. Your wound may weep, which means that it could seep fluids for a few days. This should stop, however. If it persists, call your doctor.

6. It is okay to take a shower starting a couple of days after your surgery. In the meantime, keep the area around your wound clean with a sponge or washcloth.

Hernia surgery is a serious thing, but it is something from which you will definitely recover. To recovery as quickly and painlessly as possible - and with the lowest-possible chance of recurrence - follow these tips. And, get well soon!

About the Author
Find out more about strategies for a speedier inguinal hernia surgery recovery at: http://www.squidoo.com/what-to-expect-after-inguinal-hernia-surgery

Recovering From Hiatal Hernia Surgery

by Andrew Long

Hiatal hernia surgery is a major operation performed under general anesthesia. Incisions are made into the abdomen that require a few weeks to heal. Your stomach is pulled out of the esophagus and because of this, these organs must also be allowed to heal before a normal diet can be resumed.

After hiatal hernia surgery, you will have the nasal gastric tube in place for draining out stomach acid. You will not be allowed to eat for two or three days or until the tube is removed. You will recover in the hospital for a period of one to six days before being sent home to finish recuperation.

By the time you return home your incisions will have begun to heal but you may still have optional dressings on. You may want to wear one for comfort's sake because it will prevent friction between your incision and your clothing. Follow your doctor's instructions concerning the care of your incisions. You will probably be allowed to get your incision wet, and you may be instructed to apply ointment. However, do not put anything on your incision if you have not been instructed to do so.

You may be discharged with medications to take during your recovery. This might include antibiotics and prescription painkillers. Take all medications according to label instructions. Do not stop taking your antibiotics even if you feel well. Do not drink alcohol when you are taking prescription painkillers and do not combine prescription painkillers with over the counter pain relief medications.

You must resume your normal daily activities slowly after hiatal hernia surgery. Initially you will be allowed to shower, take walks, ride in the car, use stairs, and lift up to 2 pounds. However, you should not drive for two weeks and you must use caution when bending, lifting, or twisting your body for three months after your surgery.

When you return home, you should eat small amounts more frequently throughout the day. For the first two weeks after hiatal hernia surgery, you should only consume clear liquids. This includes foods like water, broth, ice chips, fruit juice, jello, and popsicles. You should not eat solid foods, thick liquids, soft drinks, candy, or chew gum. Start with 1/2 cup of liquid and gradually consume more until you can drink 1 cup at a time.

Starting on the third week after your surgery, you can add soft foods like milkshakes, yogurt, pudding, oatmeal, and strained soups. On the fifth week after surgery, you can add mushy foods like pasta, fish, applesauce, cooked vegetables, mashed potatoes, ground beef, and soft fruits. You should continue to avoid meat, bread, and raw vegetables.

Because your upper digestive tract has to heal following hiatal hernia surgery, you must be careful not to irritate it with hard or sharp foods for up to three months after surgery. In addition, it will take approximately three months for your incisions to fully heal so that you can continue with regular activities that might include heavy lifting and bending.

When you first arrive home after your surgery, you should watch your incision for signs of infection. Call your doctor if you noticed any swelling, redness, or drainage from around your incision. You should also notify your doctor if you have a fever, chills, vomiting, diarrhea, or constipation.

It is possible that your doctor will give you specific instructions related to your particular medical condition. Above all else, follow your doctor's guidelines to ensure you have a speedy an uneventful recovery. Be sure to keep your follow-up appointments with your doctor so he can monitor your recovery from hiatal hernia surgery.

About the Author
This article may be used on other sites but the full resource box must be added. Take a look at other relevant information from Andrew Long including hiatal hernia surgery related services

Does The Great Taste No Pain Program Offer Relief For Sufferers of Hiatal Hernias?

by Mark Schiro

Within the last few years I began to experience annoying problems with digestion. Day time events were rare but at night I would wake up with acid reflux and it would take a while to settle down. I tried to alleviate the problem with diet alterations such as restricting late night eating and alcohol consumption, and this brought temporary relief, but my trouble soon returned, accompanied by extremely annoying, continuous "burping" and "winding" throughout the day.

I was prompted to visit my doctor when I began experiencing the scary feeling of pain when swallowing now and then (the esophageal sphincter was spasming). My physician verified a Hiatal Hernia diagnosis, with the assistance of a barium meal, and Omeprazole was prescribed. This did offer some relieve but after a week (and several pounds heavier) I stopped and felt there must be other more natural ways to attack the problem. On an ongoing basis I have attacked the problem on a natural basis exclusively, through herbs and better eating habits.

At length I read an old article on eating foods in specific combinations. This approach is not new to me, having explored this avenue previously in an attempt to lose excess weight. I failed to stick with it then, but I resolved to give it another try with a more clear cut plan of attack and the use of more modern information on correct eating habits. The 20 year old book that I had was missing some essential information about fruits and vegetables currently available in the U.S. (the book was published in the UK), along with other omissions.

This is when I discovered Great Taste No Pain by Sherry Brescia! Much more straight forward and easier to follow - and very much easier to realize when one is straying from the plan! My digestive system responded quite favorably to my following of this plan. I do not have to dread the constant thought of the return of those horrendous heartburn type symptoms. I am not being woken up at night having to get up, drink water or take a teaspoon of honey to settle my system so I can go back to sleep.

I am not there yet, and certainly if there was a way to extract this hiatal hernia, I would yank it out in a heartbeat. I also lent out the books to a friend suffering from IBS and this has helped her also. So if you are suffering from a Hiatal Hernia, it is my belief that The Great Taste No Pain Program can offer you some relief.

About the Author
Are you suffering with digestive issues? Do you want to know how to get rid of it? Visit http://www.perfecthealthfit.com with more information on the Great Taste No Pain program by Sherry Brescia and find out how you can get her free report which includes a 4 day diet plan.

Hernias: abdominal and others

by Dr.Phil Xavier

Most hernias are abdominal and they are classified broadly into five types. They are:

Inguinal hernia - This is the most common form of abdominal hernia which is more common in women. The protrusion is through the inguinal canal and is divided into indirect and direct hernias.

Femoral hernia - In this the protrusion is in the femoral canal and the frequency of occurrence is more in men than in women.

Umbilical hernia - This type of hernia is common in infants of African descent, especially boys. The protrusion is through the umbilical cord and the condition often resolves spontaneously.

Incisional hernia - As the name suggests, this type of hernia develops due to unhealed surgical wounds.

Diaphragmatic hernia - A diaphragmatic hernia occurs when part of the stomach or intestine protrudes into the chest cavity through a defect in the diaphragm.

Dr Berney has realised the importance of ongoing developments of new skills in this innovative field for the benefit of his patients, and has made the use of laparoscopic techniques a priority in his practice whenever possible. Beside his advanced laparoscopic surgery subspecialty, he also performs endocrine surgery (thyroid gland, parathyroid gland) and endoscopic procedures such as gastroscopies and colonoscopies.

Dr Berney is committed to delivering high quality service and providing his full attention and a thorough analysis of individual surgical problems. He is dedicated to find the most appropriate and less invasive approach in order to minimise the impact of surgery for his patients.

Dr Berney is also fluent in French and would be very happy to take care of patients of the French speaking community who feel more at ease in communicating in their native language. He has appointments at the Prince of Wales Private, Sydney Private and Bankstown Hospitals and has a conjoint appointment as a Senior Lecturer with the University of NSW. To find out more about Dr Chris Berney's practices, please visit www.safesurgery.com.au.

About the Author
Dr.Phil Xavier, 58, specialises in surgery. He has an experience of 30 years behind him. His other great passion is Writing. He combines the two to provide interesting and informative articles. www.safesurgery.com.au

The Symptoms Of An Inguinal Hernia

by Naomi West

An inguinal hernia is caused when tissue is pushing its way through a weak spot in the muscles comprised in the groin and the scrotum. This health development is one of the several types of hernias that might affect individuals although it ordinarily happens in men more then women. Their bodies are fashioned in such a way that in this unusual region it is denser for them. Women are stronger so they can manage with the size of the uterus when carrying a child.

Symptoms

One of the biggest symptoms to look for is a bump that is located in the groin. This may look and feel like a little to large lump counting on how much is seeking to push through at the time. It might take weeks or months for the lump to be noticeable. Other ordinary symptoms are tugging, heaviness, and slight burning in the affected area, nausea, and vomiting.

If you experience any of these symptoms or even if you have the bulge without any of the pain it is essential to speak with your physician. They will have the ability to run a few tests and study your body and physical history. Afterwards they will diagnose the trouble and make sure that there is nothing more serious.

Inguinal hernias are made when there is a weak part in the muscle wall that woudln't close during birth. This creates a weakness in the muscle of the belly and will place pressure on that specific area and permit tissue to force itself out through it. It can form after birth or it might take years to form.

About the Author
It is important to know how to identify Inguinal Hernias. This will help you to determine the best way to Repair Inguinal Hernias.

The Symptoms Of A Sports Hernia

by Naomi West

A sports hernia - also recognized as pubalgia - is induced when the muscle in the inguinal canal has been split. This is the portion of the abdomen that is located above the groin or the scrotum. The most ordinary individuals to be touched by this condition are jocks who spend the majority of their time getting their bodies hit or always bending and running.

The fact that they do persistent movements and do rough techniques a good deal is what will harm the muscle. One of the easiest ways in which it is able to be handled is through some time off and much needed rest. If the physician thinks that it is severe or the patient merely does not desire to deal with it then it is feasible to have it withdrawn through surgery.

One of the biggest marks of this problem is a bulge that occurs in the inguinal canal and out through the weakened muscles. This lump is able to get bigger over time and in certain cases will make the person to hurt from moderate to severe pain, nausea, and vomiting. It is manageable to force the intestines back inside - but this can only be completed if it is a reducible hernia.

The greatest problem that athletes have with this is that they will often wait till the problem has become too severe before they get medical aid. They are taught to work through the pain that they experience and as such can grant the condition to exacerbate through time. They call for the proper amount of rest in order to let the tissue to mend if it has been damaged.

In certain cases the jock may must utilize special anti-inflammatory drugs to assist to treat sport hernias and to let the muscles to heal faster and to stretch. When the muscles are able to stretch they can be stronger and more flexible so that they do not damage easily in the future.

About the Author
It is important to learn how to identify a Sport Hernia and to know what causes it. Also learn the best way in which you can Recognize Hernias.

Numerous Essential Facts About Femoral Hernias

by Naomi West

There are several contrasting kinds of hernias that have the ability to develop in certain areas of the body. The most common is the abdominal hernia - but that is not the only kind we must concern over. Women are more prone to getting a femoral hernia when likened to men because of how their bodies work.

In order to know the strongest way to care for a femoral hernia you have to be able to find out how to identify the symptoms. These will give you a clue as to what may be wrong with your body and push you into creatng an appointment with your physician. The more popular symptoms are:

Pregnancy Coughing Straining during urinating or bowel movements Picking up big and heavy items Straining muscles during physical exercises

Each of these can thrust the contents into the femoral canal causing the hernia. For some individuals this may not stimulate any pain - but a slight uncomfortableness. Still, there are other individuals who will go through various stages of pain. When the contents are pressed into the canal it will cause a mass that can be seen in the groin or the inside of the thigh.

If you experience any of these symptoms you will be able to speak with your physician so that they are able to diagnose the problem and make sure it is not something else. They will need to feel for the mass and do a GP examination on you. Most will do this while you are coughing, sitting up, or standing.

Many doctors will suggest that you treat the femoral hernia with surgery as soon as you are able to. This will help to assuage any pain or soreness and keep it from becoming much worse. You do not desire to let it grow larger and turn into a strangulated hernia. These are deadly and should be treated utilizing surgery immediately.

About the Author
It is important to know how to spot the Symptoms Of Femoral Hernias and to keep it from becoming Strangulated.