FAQ

Q: What can I expect during recovery from hernia surgery?

A: You may experience moderate to significant post-operative swelling and bruising after hernia surgery. It is important to ice the area regularly to keep swelling to a minimum.

You may travel as soon as you feel comfortable, which is typically after one week. There is no restriction on the use of stairs.

Q: When can I resume my exercise routine? Is there a restriction on how much weight I can lift?

With mesh repairs, patients are usually given permission to return to their full activities as soon as they feel ready, however that determination is made on a case by case basis.

Q: Will my body have a reaction to the mesh?

Yes. Your body will react to the mesh and wall it off so it doesn’t "see" it anymore. This is a normal part of the healing process. It is this scar formation that cements the repair.

Q: What are the differences between open and laparoscopic repair?

Open hernia repair requires a small incision in the skin through which, the surgeon places a piece of mesh on the “outside” of the muscle covering the hernia defect. In a laparoscopic repair the mesh is placed on the “inside” (behind) the muscle and requires smaller incisions.