Open Herniorrhaphy

WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW:

• A herniorrhaphy (her-nee-or-uh-fee) is surgery to fix a hernia (her-nee-uh). An open hernia repair means that an incision (cut) is made over the hernia. Through this incision, your caregiver sews the muscle and tissue wall to make it stronger.
  
  
• A hernia is a weakness in the abdominal wall through which inner tissue pushes through. It may pouch out and look like a balloon under your skin. Many people refer to a hernia as a "rupture." You may have an inguinal (in-gwih-null) hernia which is in the area where your upper leg and lower abdomen (belly) meet. A man may feel a lump in his scrotum if he has an inguinal hernia. An umbilical (um-bill-ih-kull) hernia is in your belly button. Or, you may have an incisional hernia in a scar from an earlier surgery.

AFTER YOU LEAVE:

• Medicines:
  
  
  • Keep a written list of what medicines you take and when and why you take them. Bring the list of your medicines or the pill bottles when you see your caregivers. Learn why you take each medicine. Ask your caregiver for information about your medicine. Do not take any medicines without first talking to caregivers.
    
    
  • Always take your medicine as directed by caregivers. Call your caregiver if you think your medicines are not helping or if you feel you are having side effects. Do not quit taking it until you discuss it with your caregiver. If you are taking antibiotics (an-ti-bi-ah-tiks), take them until they are all gone even if you feel better.
    
    
  • If you are taking medicine that makes you drowsy, do not drive or use heavy equipment.
  
  
• Ask your caregiver when to return for a follow-up visit. Keep all appointments. Write down any questions you may have. This way you will remember to ask these questions during your next visit.
  
  
• It is not uncommon to have trouble urinating (passing urine) after hernia surgery. Call your caregiver if you are unable to urinated.
  
  
• Both cold and heat can help lessen some types of surgery incision pain. Some types of pain improve best using cold while other types of pain improve most with heat. Caregivers will tell you if cold and/or hot packs will help your pain.
  
  
• When you are allowed to bathe or shower, carefully wash the incisions with soap and water. Afterwards, put on a clean, new bandage or Band-Aids. Change your bandage or Band-Aids any time they get wet or dirty. If you cannot reach the incision areas, ask someone else to help you.
  
  
• Male patients should talk with their caregiver about use of an athletic support device (jock strap) after surgery.
  
  
• Eat healthy foods from all of the 5 food groups: fruits, vegetables, breads, dairy products, meat and fish. Eating healthy foods may help you feel better and have more energy. They may also help you heal faster. Ask your caregiver if you need a special diet after surgery.
  
  
• Drink 6 to 8 (soda-pop can size) glasses of liquid each day. Or, follow your caregiver's advice if you are on a fluid limit. Good liquids to drink are water, juices, and milk. Limit the amount of caffeine you drink, such as coffee, tea, and soda.
  
  
• It may be hard for you to have a BM after surgery. Don't try to push the BM out if it's too hard. Walking is the best way to get your bowels moving. Eat foods high in fiber to make it easier to have a BM. Good examples are high fiber cereals, beans, vegetables, and whole grain breads. Prune juice may help make the BM softer. Caregivers may tell you to take fiber medicine to help make your BMs softer and more regular. This fiber medicine can be bought at drug and grocery stores.
  
  
• You may feel like resting more after surgery. Slowly start to do more each day. Rest when you feel it is needed.
  
  
• Avoid lifting heavy objects.
  
  
• Once you are stronger after surgery, start exercising. It is best to start slowly and do more, as you get stronger. Exercising makes the heart stronger, lowers blood pressure, and keeps you healthy. Talk to your caregiver before you start. Together you can plan an exercise program.
  
  
• Ask your caregiver how long you need to wait before starting your usual activities.
  
  
• Ask your caregiver when you can return to work .
  
  
• You may have sex when you feel ready. Stop if it causes pain. Talk to your caregiver if you have questions or concerns.
  
  
• If you smoke, you should quit. It harms the heart, lungs, and the blood. You are more likely to have a heart attack, lung disease, and cancer if you smoke. If you are having trouble quitting, talk to your caregiver about ways to quit.
  
  
• Stress may slow healing and cause illness later. Since it is hard to avoid stress, learn to control it. Learn new ways to relax (deep breathing, relaxing muscles, meditation, or biofeedback). Talk to your caregiver about things that upset you.

CONTACT A CAREGIVER IF:

• You have abdominal pain that does not go away or gets worse.
  
  
• You are unable to urinate.
  
  
• You have trouble having a BM or have diarrhea often.
  
  
• You start vomiting (throwing-up) or cannot keep food down.
  
  
• You have chills, a cough, or feel weak and achy. These are signs that you may have an infection.
  
  
• Your skin is itchy, swollen, or has a rash. Your medicine may be causing these symptoms. This may mean you are allergic (uh-ler-jik) to your medicine.
  
  
• Your incision is swollen, red, or has pus coming from it. This may mean that it is infected.
  
  
• You have a fever (increased body temperature).
  
  
• You have questions or concerns about your surgery or medicine.

SEEK CARE IMMEDIATELY IF:

• Your incision comes apart.
  
  
• You start bleeding from your incision.
  
  
• You have trouble breathing all of a sudden. This could be a sign that you have a blood clot in your lung. It could also mean that you are allergic to a medicine you are taking.
  
  
• You have chest pain.

Copyright © 2008 Thomson Healthcare Inc. All rights reserved. Information is for End User's use only and may not be sold, redistributed or otherwise used for commercial purposes.

The above information is an educational aid only. It is not intended as medical advice for individual conditions or treatments. Talk to your doctor, nurse or pharmacist before following any medical regimen to see if it is safe and effective for you.

Link to Page

Print Page

Email Page