A healing hernia typically feels like a dull ache or discomfort in the area of the hernia. Depending on the type and severity of the hernia, the discomfort can range from mild to severe. It may be constant or intermittent and can be present when standing, sitting, or lying down.
A healing hernia may also cause pain when lifting, coughing, or straining. For an inguinal hernia, the pain may worsen when standing or doing activities that involve straining the abdominal muscles, such as lifting heavy objects or strenuous exercise.
Other symptoms that may accompany a healing hernia are swelling or a bulge in the affected area, a feeling of pressure or heaviness, or a burning sensation in the area.
How do you know if your hernia surgery is healing?
If you have had hernia surgery, it is important to monitor the healing process and look for any setbacks or signs of infection. To check if your hernia surgery is healing, you should watch out for pain, redness, swelling, or other signs of infection at the surgical site.
Additionally, be sure to follow your doctor’s instructions for any aftercare, such as changing wound dressings or draining any excess fluid at the site. It’s also important to keep an eye out for any abnormal symptoms after surgery, such as fever, nausea, vomiting, or any other signs of a more serious infection.
If any of these occur, you should call your doctor right away. Your doctor will likely want to check in with you at regular intervals to monitor your healing and make sure everything is still on the right track.
How do I know if I damaged my hernia repair?
If you have had hernia repair surgery, it is important to keep an eye on your body’s response to the procedure and call your doctor or surgeon if you experience any of the following signs or symptoms, as it could indicate that your repair is damaged:
1. Pain, swelling, or tenderness in the surgical site
2. Redness or warmth at the surgical site
3. Bleeding from the surgical site
4. Fever
5. Nausea
6. Abdominal fullness or bloating
7. Constipation
If you experience any of these symptoms, it is important to contact your doctor or surgeon as soon as possible to discuss your symptoms and possible causes of the damage to the hernia repair. Your doctor or surgeon may order a CT scan or other imaging tests to determine the cause of your symptoms and the extent of damage to the hernia repair.
Depending on the results of the tests, your doctor may recommend surgical revision to repair the hernia or other treatment options.
How do you know if something is wrong after hernia surgery?
After hernia surgery, it’s important to watch for signs of anything that might be wrong. Common signs that something is wrong may include increasing pain at the incision site, redness around the wound, fever, nausea, vomiting, tenderness or swelling around the wound, infection or sepsis, narrowing of the hernia, obstruction or strangulation of the intestines, or recurrence of the hernia.
If you experience any of these symptoms after your hernia surgery, it’s important to contact your healthcare provider as soon as possible. Additionally, it’s important to follow up with your healthcare providers after your hernia surgery as instructed, so they can monitor your healing and check for signs of any potential issues that might arise.
How long does it take for hernia mesh to heal?
In most cases, it takes about 6 to 8 weeks for hernia mesh to heal. This time frame can vary somewhat depending on the individual person and the severity of the hernia. It’s also important to note that a full recovery may take 6 months or longer, especially for larger hernias or for people who may have other underlying medical conditions.
It is recommended to follow your doctor’s instructions for recovery, which may include rest, over-the-counter medications, or physical therapy. In addition, you should make sure to follow up with your doctor at regular intervals to ensure that your hernia is healing properly.
Why does it feel like my hernia is still there after surgery?
It is not uncommon for some individuals to experience a feeling or sensation after hernia surgery that the hernia is still present, even though the hernia has been repaired. This sensation can be due to swelling and scarring around the surgical site, as well as tightness in the abdominal muscles caused by the surgery.
Additionally, the underlying condition that may have caused the hernia in the first place may still be present, leading to a sensation that the hernia is still there. It is important to discuss any symptoms or concerns that persist after surgery with your doctor, to ensure that the underlying problem is being addressed.
Should my hernia repair feel hard?
No, typically hernia repairs should not feel hard. Some individuals may experience some degree of discomfort and swelling in the area following the repair, but it should not feel hard or lumpy in general.
If you are experiencing hardness in the area of the hernia repair, or anything else out of the ordinary, you should contact your surgeon or primary care physician to determine what may be causing the sensation and ensure there is no complication from the procedure.
In some cases, a hernia repair may need to be adjusted after the initial surgery due to the hernia bulging out again; if this is the case, the repaired area may feel hard or lumpy. In any case, the best course of action is to contact your medical care provider to determine the cause of the hardness and proceed with the best possible treatment.
Why is my hernia repair so painful?
Your hernia repair may be experiencing pain for a number of reasons. First and foremost, the nature of hernia repairs can be complicated because of the type of hernia, the size and location, and the patient’s overall health.
In general, hernia repairs involve the surgical repair of a weakened or torn area in the abdominal wall that is causing a bulge, most often caused by a strain on the abdominal wall due to lifting, pushing, or coughing.
The type of hernia repair you received, whether open or laparoscopic, can impact the amount of pain you are experiencing after the procedure.
In addition, any underlying medical conditions you have, such as diabetes or a history of previous abdominal surgery, can contribute to the amount of pain you are experiencing after your hernia repair.
Also keep in mind that the amount of pain you feel may increase the more active you are. After a hernia repair, your doctor will likely recommend avoiding heavy lifting and strenuous activity for at least a few weeks, if not longer, to allow for proper healing.
Finally, pain medication may be used to help reduce the discomfort you are experiencing after your hernia repair. Talk to your doctor about the medicines you are taking and whether there are any other options available to help you manage your discomfort.
What happens if you do too much after hernia surgery?
It is important to be mindful of doing too much following a hernia repair surgery. Doing too much can increase the risk of hernia complication and adversely affect healing. If you do too much, you could experience a lot of pain and discomfort in the area of the hernia.
This could cause the hernia to open again, which could potentially require additional repair surgery. It is also possible that doing too much could lead to the development of a seroma, which is a pocket of fluid caused by an abnormal accumulation of lymphatic fluid.
If a seroma is not treated it can become quite painful and lead to infection. In addition to pain and potential complications, doing too much can also delay healing and extend your recovery period. It is important to rest for the recommended recovery period and to slowly increase the intensity of physical activity as instructed by your doctor.
Is it normal to have a hard bulge after hernia surgery?
Yes, it is normal to have a hard bulge after hernia surgery, especially in the first few days or weeks. This is because the body is still healing and adjusting to the new surgical site. The hernia repair site will form scar tissue before it fully heals, and this can make the area harder or lumpier than the surrounding tissue.
In the immediate days and weeks following hernia surgery, you may also experience some pain and discomfort in the area. The surgical site may be tender to the touch, and the bulge may be sensitive. This is all perfectly normal.
You should also keep an eye out for any signs of infection, such as redness, swelling, severe pain or discharge. If any of these occur, contact your doctor immediately. Otherwise, minor pain, lumpiness, and a hard bulge should all diminish over time as the surgical site continues to heal.
Does a hernia feel like a hard lump?
A hernia can feel like a hard lump, but the exact sensations associated with the condition can vary from person to person. Some people may feel a painless lump or bulge in the affected area, while others may experience pain, swelling, or a feeling of fullness along with the lump.
A hernia may also not cause any visible or outwardly obvious signs at all. In most cases, the lump or bulge can be felt when pressure is applied to the area and it usually feels firm. However, the lump can also be soft and movable in some instances.
If you are experiencing any signs or symptoms of a hernia and suspect you may have one, you should talk to your doctor and get it checked out.
How long does incision pain last after hernia surgery?
Pain from incision after hernia surgery typically lasts for approximately one to two weeks. However, this time frame can be different depending on the individual. For most people, the pain should not be intense, but rather more like an uncomfortable pulling sensation in the abdomen.
It can be managed with over-the-counter pain medications like ibuprofen or Tylenol. Additionally, it’s important to keep the incision area clean and dry, as this can help minimize further discomfort.
As the area begins to heal, continuing to take it easy and avoid strenuous activity can help the pain subside quicker, but it is important to rest as much as needed and follow the instructions of your doctor.
How do I know if my hernia incision is infected?
If you think your hernia incision is infected, you should contact your doctor immediately or visit the closest emergency room. It is important to catch an infection early to prevent serious complications.
Signs and symptoms of an infected hernia incision can include:
-Pain, redness, and swelling in or around the incision site.
-Excessive warmth around the area.
-Pus or discharge from the incision site.
-A foul odor coming from the incision.
-A fever with no other known cause.
-Difficulty with movement or increased pain in the area.
If your doctor diagnoses an infection, they may prescribe oral antibiotics and possibly an antibiotic ointment to apply to the search. In some cases, surgery may be needed to drain an abscess or remove any dead tissue.
Is hernia surgery a clean wound?
Yes, hernia surgery is a clean wound. Hernia surgery is often referred to as a “clean-contaminated” procedure, meaning that during the surgery itself, the surgeon takes extra care to keep the wound site clean and free from bacteria and dirt.
Surgery is done in a sterile environment, using specialized instruments and sterile supplies. After the procedure is completed, the patient is monitored closely and the wound is cleaned and dressed with sterile dressings to prevent infection.
Hernia surgery typically causes minimal to no scarring, as the surgeon typically follows the principle of “closing the door” to the hernia site, minimizing the amount of tissue disruption and damage.
In addition, the use of anti-infective medications and advanced techniques such as quilting sutures can further reduce the risk of infection and scarring.
Is my incision infected or just healing?
It is difficult to accurately diagnose whether your incision is infected or just healing without seeing it in person. Generally, signs of infection include redness, pain, tenderness, warmth, swelling, and drainage.
If your incision has any or all of these symptoms, it could be an indication that it is infected. Additionally, infections can cause a fever and generally make you feel unwell. It is important to discuss any changes to your incision with your doctor to determine the exact cause.
If the symptoms appear to be healing related, such as scabbing and a decrease in pain and swelling, then your incision likely is just healing. During the healing process, scarring might be visible and it is possible that you could experience itching and discomfort at the site.
It is also important to follow all instructions from your doctor to ensure proper healing, such as keeping the area clean, taking medications that might be prescribed, and avoiding any activities that might stress the incision.
