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What to Watch Out for After Inguinal Hernia Surgery
Recovery after inguinal hernia surgery is faster when the operation is done laparoscopically or robotically. You can usually go home the same day, pain is usually mild and is managed with medication, and strenuous physical activity and heavy lifting are avoided for about 4-6 weeks. Below you will find what to watch out for in the first few days, when you can return to walking, work and exercise, and which signs mean you should contact your doctor.
At a glance
- You can usually go home on the same day as the operation.
- Patients are up and moving from the first day.
- Lifting and strenuous exercise are allowed again after about 4-6 weeks.
- Severe constipation is avoided with a high-fibre diet.
- Your surgeon will see you again one week after the operation.
- A high temperature, redness at the wound, or pain and swelling that get worse need prompt contact with your doctor.
Have you got inguinal hernia surgery planned, or do you have questions about recovery?
If you would like to learn what the condition is, what symptoms it causes and how robotic repair is performed, see the page on inguinal hernia. There is a separate guide on how to tell if you have an inguinal hernia and when it is dangerous. This article is about life after surgery.
How long recovery takes after inguinal hernia surgery
How long recovery, or convalescence, takes depends mainly on how the operation is done. With minimally invasive techniques, laparoscopic and robotic surgery, the repair is carried out through very small openings, with less pain after the operation and a faster return to everyday activities.
Patients are up and moving from the first day and are usually discharged the same day. If the hernia is large and needs monitoring, the hospital stay may be up to 48 hours. Although you will feel well straight after the operation, your surgeon will usually advise you to rest for a few days.
Typical recovery timeline after laparoscopic or robotic surgery
| When | What usually applies |
|---|---|
| Same day | Going home, and getting up and moving from the first day |
| A few days | Return to most everyday activities |
| 1 week | Check-up with your surgeon |
| 1-2 weeks | Full recovery in most cases |
| 4-6 weeks | Return to heavy lifting, strenuous exercise and sport |
After open surgery, you need to avoid strain for longer, about 3-4 months. These timeframes are a guide only, as every patient recovers at their own pace, and your surgeon will adjust them for you.
What to watch out for in the first few days
Pain and discomfort
Pain is usually mild and is managed with the medication your surgeon gives you. In the first few days, cold compresses wrapped in a towel, for 15-20 minutes at a time, help with pain and swelling. When you cough or sneeze, press gently with your palm over the wounds to reduce the pain.
Wound care and bathing
In laparoscopic repair the cuts are few and very small, just a few millimetres long. Keep them clean and dry. You can usually shower a few days after the operation, with a waterproof dressing, and then gently pat the area dry. Baths, swimming pools and the sea should be avoided until the wounds have healed, which usually takes about two weeks. Your surgeon will tell you whether your stitches will be removed at the check-up or will dissolve on their own.
Diet and constipation
Severe constipation increases the pressure inside the abdomen, so avoiding it with a high-fibre diet is one of the measures that lower the risk of the hernia coming back. Painkillers can cause constipation. Drink plenty of water, choose fruit, vegetables and wholegrain foods, and avoid straining on the toilet. If the problem persists, a fibre supplement may help, on your doctor’s advice.
Walking after inguinal hernia surgery
Walking starts on the first day. Gentle movement helps recovery and is increased gradually as you feel better. Before surgery, a hernia may cause discomfort or pain, especially when walking or running. After the repair, walking is part of recovery and not something you need to avoid.
When you can return to work, driving and exercise
- Everyday activities. You can return to most of your activities within a few days.
- Office work. Usually after 1-2 weeks.
- Work that involves heavy lifting. You can go back once the 4-6 weeks during which lifting is avoided have passed.
- Driving. When your surgeon allows it, and not while you are taking strong painkillers.
- Exercise and sport. You can return to sporting activities within 4-6 weeks of the operation, with exercise that does not strain the lower abdominal muscles.
What is normal after surgery
In the first few days and weeks, it is common to have:
- a little blood on the dressing for one to two days,
- pain around the wounds for a few days,
- bruising or swelling around the wounds or in the genital area, in men also in the scrotum, for a few weeks,
- bloating or shoulder pain for one to two days after laparoscopic or robotic surgery, caused by the gas used during the operation,
- numbness below the wound, which usually fades over time,
- tiredness, which may last a few weeks.
When to contact your doctor
Contact your surgeon straight away if:
- you have a high temperature or chills,
- the wound becomes red, hot or swollen, or leaks pus,
- the wound bleeds heavily,
- pain or swelling in the groin or testicles gets worse instead of better,
- your abdomen becomes swollen and increasingly painful,
- you have nausea or vomiting more than 24 hours after surgery,
- you have difficulty passing urine, or constipation that does not go away,
- your calf is painful or swollen.
If you are short of breath or have chest pain, call 166 or go to the nearest Emergency Department.
However well you feel, your surgeon should see you again one week after the operation. This check-up makes sure that your recovery is going smoothly and helps prevent the hernia from coming back.
Less often, a soft swelling may form where the hernia used to be, lasting a few weeks or months. It does not necessarily mean the hernia has come back, but it is a good idea to have your surgeon look at it.
Can the hernia come back?
The laparoscopic mesh repair that Dr. Konstantinidis has performed since 1991 has a recurrence rate of less than 0.5%. To reduce the risk of recurrence:
- avoid heavy lifting and any strain on the area straight after the operation, such as strenuous exercise that increases the pressure inside the abdomen, and let your surgeon know before you return to such activities,
- avoid severe constipation, with a high-fibre diet,
- treat a chronic cough, for example by stopping smoking,
- treat difficulty passing urine, in men with monitoring of the prostate,
- choose exercise that does not strain the lower abdominal muscles,
- do not miss your post-operative check-up with your surgeon.
A new lump or pain in the same place, after the initial recovery period, needs to be examined by a surgeon. Diagnosis is usually made with a physical examination and, if needed, an ultrasound scan. Even recurrent inguinal hernias can be treated with robotic surgery. You can find more about the techniques on the page on abdominal wall hernias.
Is there a natural treatment for inguinal hernia?
No. An inguinal hernia cannot heal on its own; it keeps progressing and does not go away. It is caused by a weak spot in the abdominal wall, which is why it cannot be corrected with medicines, belts or exercises.
Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, such as ibuprofen, relieve the pain temporarily, but they do not cure the hernia. A special hernia belt (truss) may also relieve the symptoms temporarily, but it does not close the defect.
For very small hernias that cause no symptoms, simple monitoring may be discussed, with regular reassessment by your surgeon. Most of these patients eventually need surgery, usually because pain develops. The definitive solution is surgical repair.
After surgery, gentle movement and a gradual return to exercise are part of recovery. If you would like guidance on strengthening exercises, ask your surgeon at your post-operative check-up.
Frequently asked questions
What should I watch out for after inguinal hernia surgery?
Avoid heavy lifting and strenuous exercise for about 4-6 weeks, avoid severe constipation with a high-fibre diet, and go to your check-up with your surgeon one week after the operation. Also keep the wounds clean and dry until they have healed.
How long does recovery take after inguinal hernia surgery?
After laparoscopic or robotic repair, you can return to most everyday activities within a few days, and full recovery usually takes 1-2 weeks. Lifting and sport are allowed after about 4-6 weeks.
Can I walk after inguinal hernia surgery?
Yes. Getting up and moving starts on the first day, and walking is increased gradually as you feel better.
Is swelling normal after inguinal hernia surgery?
Yes, bruising or swelling around the wounds or in the genital area is common and goes down within a few weeks. However, if it gets worse or comes with a high temperature or redness, contact your surgeon.
How do I avoid constipation after inguinal hernia surgery?
With a high-fibre diet. Drink plenty of water and, because painkillers can cause constipation, let your doctor know if it does not ease.
Is there a natural treatment for inguinal hernia?
No. An inguinal hernia does not go away on its own and cannot be corrected with medicines, belts or exercises. Anti-inflammatories and a hernia belt only give temporary relief. The definitive treatment is surgical repair.
Dr. Konstantinos M. Konstantinidis
General Surgeon · MD, PhD, FACS, MAMSE, FASMBS
Dr. Konstantinidis is an internationally recognised General Surgeon, the founder of robotic surgery in Greece, where he was the first to use the da Vinci system in 2006, and a pioneer of laparoscopic surgery. Since 1991 he has headed the first laparoscopic surgery department established in Greece.
Sources
- NHS, Inguinal hernia repair. https://www.nhs.uk/tests-and-treatments/inguinal-hernia-repair/
- MedlinePlus, Inguinal hernia repair - discharge. https://medlineplus.gov/ency/patientinstructions/000274.htm
- Cleveland Clinic, Inguinal Hernia (Groin Hernia). https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/16266-inguinal-hernia
- HerniaSurge Group, International guidelines for groin hernia management. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5809582/
This article is for information only and does not replace your surgeon’s instructions. If you have any symptoms after the operation, contact your doctor.
Why choose Dr. Konstantinidis?
Dr. K. M. Konstantinidis and his team possess vast experience in the field of laparoscopic and robotic surgery.
Dr. Konstantinidis is the pioneer of Robotic Surgery in Greece and one of the leading figures internationally in the field. He has performed the largest series of General Surgery operations in Europe with the innovative Da Vinci® robotic system.
