FOR PATIENTS

Post-Surgery Information

If you are here, it is likely that you have had a hernia implant. We know that the recovery period can be confusing and even daunting, so we put together this page to help answer any questions you might have.

> Patient Implant Card and Patient Information Leaflet

Recovery after hernia surgery

It is important to rest for a few days after surgery. A pillow can be used to put over the abdomen for support in case of coughing, sneezing, or vomiting (which can be a side effect of anaesthesia). Coughing, sneezing, and vomiting can cause discomfort after hernia surgery.

The incision(s) may be sore for two or three days after surgery and may be swollen, bruised, tender, and numb. This is normal after surgery and should go away within a few weeks. You should contact your surgeon or GP if you have any concerns about your incision.

Recovery Suggestions

Warning signs post-surgery

If any of the following occur after surgery, you should immediately contact your doctor.

Fever (over 38.3°C)
Odour or increased drainage from your incision
No bowel movements for 3 days or more
Excessive sweating
Difficulty urinating
Redness
Bleeding
Worsening pain

The Patient Implant Card (PIC) and Patient Information Leaflet (PIL)

Some implantable medical devices are supplied with patient information materials - these come in the form of a patient implant card (PIC) and patient information leaflet (PIL). These are provided in hospital so that you may have informed discussions with your health professional regarding the procedure and report any adverse events should they occur.

Patient Implant Card

The PIC contains essential information about the implant you have received including the device name, device model, batch number, and manufacturer details. The purpose of PICs is to ensure that patients are aware of the details of the device that they have been implanted with and for health practitioners to identify this device. The card also enables better traceability of the device should there be any issues.

If you have had hernia surgery involving an implant, you should have received your PIC, these are typically provided to you at the hospital or by your surgeon. If you did not receive a PIC, please speak with your hospital and they may provide you a card.

Example of patient and facility details cards:

Implant Information Card:

Patient Information Leaflet

The PIL contains more detailed information about the implant including the type and purpose of the device, safety precautions, and any additional information that the manufacturer considers useful for patients. This information is provided to inform patient discussions on implantation decisions and enable patients to better understand their implanted medical device following surgery.

Patient information leaflets from Medtronic can be accessed on the Medtronic Patient Portal.

For more information regarding the PIC and PIL, please refer to the TGA website for further details: https://www.tga.gov.au/products/medical-devices/find-information-about-medical-device/patient-information-material-implantable-medical-devices

FAQ

If you’re still yearning for more, we’ve put together some common questions you might have following your procedure in the FAQ below.

How long does it take to recover from an inguinal hernia repair surgery?

Everyone is different and the time it takes to recover from hernia repair is dependent on existing comorbidities (e.g. obesity, COPD), type of surgical procedure, and the activities you choose to do before and after surgery (e.g. exercise, smoking habits). Pain relief and stool softener medications may be prescribed during the initial recovery period to help with pain control [2]. The incision(s) may be sore for two to three days after surgery and may be swollen, bruised, tender and numb. This is normal after surgery and should go away within a few weeks [24]. The surgeon should be contacted if there are any concerns. A regular diet is usually permitted on the day of discharge (as tolerated) and showering allowed 24 to 48 hours after discharge however, both these recommendations will be up to the surgeon’s discretion [2].

Substantial recovery of the operated area can take up to 6–8 weeks to allow for sufficient tissue ingrowth into the mesh [22]. During this time, you are encouraged to resume regular exercise and recreational activities as soon as you feel comfortable to improve recovery outcomes however, avoid any sports or strenuous activities to avoid hindering or worsening the recovery process [15], [22].

When will I be able to return to work following surgery?

This depends greatly on your sensitivity to pain, existing comorbidities, type of surgical procedure, and nature of work that you do. Typically, office jobs that do not require much physical activity can be returned to soon after surgery. More laborious jobs that require physical activity may require a few weeks to recover, upwards of up to 6–8 weeks, to allow sufficient tissue ingrowth into the mesh [22]. Ask your GP for advice on when you can return to work.

Can I exercise before and after a hernia repair?

Regular exercise before a hernia repair surgery can help improve post-surgery recovery however, do not do exercises that involve heavy lifting or cause pain [15]. As always, ask your GP for advice before you start exercising.

Following hernia repair surgery, your GP may encourage you to resume regular exercise and recreational activities as soon as you feel comfortable. This should help you return to normal activities as soon as possible. However, avoid playing sports or doing strenuous exercise for at least 6 weeks to allow sufficient recovery of the operated area [15], [22].

Can an inguinal hernia come back after surgery?

Yes, a hernia can come back many years later and another surgery may be required [15]. The chance of hernia recurrence after surgery has been placed anywhere between 3 and 15% depending on the type of inguinal hernia (direct vs. indirect), treatment method (mesh vs. suture), surgical approach (laparoscopic vs. open), and surgeon experience [2], [7].

How do I reduce my risk of developing another inguinal hernia?

The same risk factors for developing an inguinal hernia for the first time exist for an inguinal hernia recurring. This means, while there will be some risk factors you cannot change (e.g. diabetes, a chronic cough), there are steps you can take to reduce your risk of a recurrent inguinal hernia. This includes quitting smoking and maintaining a healthy weight and diet [25], [26].

It is always best to speak to your doctor about any questions you may have about your surgery or recovery.