Inguinal hernia - discharge

In the Hospital

You or your child had surgery to repair an inguinal hernia caused by a weakness in the abdominal wall in your groin area. You or your child probably had general (asleep and pain-free) or spinal or epidural (numb from the waist down) anesthesia. If the hernia was small, it was likely repaired under local anesthesia (awake but pain-free).

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

You or your child may go home the same day as surgery. Or the hospital stay may be 1 to 2 days. It will depend on the procedure that was done.

What to Expect at Home

After hernia repair:

• If there are stitches on the skin, they will need to be removed at a follow-up visit with the surgeon. If stitches under the skin were used, they will dissolve on their own.
• The incision is covered with a bandage. Or, it is covered with a liquid adhesive (skin glue).
• You or your child may have pain, soreness, and stiffness at first, especially when moving about. This is normal.
• You or your child will also feel tired after surgery. This can last for a few weeks.
• You or your child will most likely return to normal activities in just a few weeks.
• Men may have swelling and pain in their testicles.
• There may be some bruising around the groin and testicular area.
• You or your child may have trouble passing urine for the first few days.

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

Managing Pain

Use any pain medicines as instructed by the surgeon or nurse. You may be given a prescription for a narcotic pain medicine. Over-the-counter pain medicine (ibuprofen, acetaminophen) can be used if the narcotic medicine is too strong.

Apply a cold compress to the incision area for 15 to 20 minutes at a time for the first few days. This will help the pain and swelling. Wrap the compress or ice in a towel. DO NOT apply directly to skin.

Wound Care

There may be a bandage over the incision. Follow the surgeon's instructions for how long to leave it on and when to change it. If skin glue was used, a bandage may not have been used.

• A little bleeding and drainage is normal for the first few days. Apply antibiotic ointment (bacitracin, polysporin) or another solution to the incision area if the surgeon or nurse told you to.
• Wash the area with mild soap and water when the surgeon says it is ok to do so. Gently pat it dry. DO NOT take a bath, soak in a hot tub, or go swimming for the first week after surgery.

Diet During Recovery

Pain medicines can cause constipation. Make sure you or your child are eating some high-fiber foods and drinking plenty of water. Use over the counter fiber products such as Metamucil if constipation does not improve.

Antibiotics can cause diarrhea. If this happens, try eating yogurt with live cultures or taking psyllium (Metamucil). Call the surgeon if the diarrhea does not get better.

Activity for Adults

Give yourself time to heal. You may gradually resume normal activities, such as walking, driving, and sexual activity, when you are ready. But you probably will not feel like doing anything strenuous for a couple of weeks.

DO NOT drive if you are taking narcotic pain medicines.

DO NOT lift anything over 10 pounds or 4.5 kilograms (about a gallon or 4 liters jug of milk) for 4 to 6 weeks, or until your doctor tells you it is ok. If possible avoid doing any activity that causes pain, or pulls on the area of surgery. Older boys and men may want to wear an athletic supporter if they have swelling or pain in the testicles.

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

Activity for Children

Toddlers and older children will often stop any activity if they get tired. DO NOT press them to do more if they seem tired.

The surgeon or nurse will tell you when it is ok for your child to return to school or daycare. This may be as soon as 2 to 3 weeks after surgery.

Ask the surgeon or nurse if there are certain activities or sports your child should not do, and for how long.

Follow-up

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

When to Call the Surgeon

Call the surgeon if you or your child has any of the following:

• Severe pain or soreness
• A lot of bleeding from your incision
• Difficulty breathing
• Light headedness that does not go away after a few days
• Chills, or fever of 101°F (38.3°C), or higher
• Warmth, or redness at the incision site
• Trouble urinating
• Swelling or pain in the testicles that is getting worse