Ventral Hernia Repair

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on May 4, 2025.

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AMBULATORY CARE:

A ventral hernia repair

is surgery to fix a ventral hernia. A ventral hernia may be repaired if the hernia is preventing blood flow to organs or blocking the intestines. It may be done laparoscopically or open. Laparoscopically means that your surgeon will use several small incisions to fix the hernia. In an open repair, your surgeon will make one incision to fix your hernia.

How to prepare for a ventral hernia repair:

• Your surgeon will talk to you about how to prepare for surgery. He or she may tell you not to eat or drink anything after midnight on the day of your surgery. He or she will tell you what medicines to take or not take on the day of your surgery. You may need to stop taking blood thinners or aspirin several days to weeks before your surgery. You may need blood work, a CT scan, or an ultrasound before surgery. These tests take pictures of your hernia and help your surgeon plan your surgery. You may be given contrast liquid before the tests. Tell the surgeon if you have ever had an allergic reaction to contrast liquid.
• You may need a bowel prep before surgery. A bowel prep is when you take medicine to help clean out the colon. This decreases your risk of infection if a hole is made in your intestines during surgery. You may be given an antibiotic through your IV to help prevent a bacterial infection. Arrange for someone to drive you home and stay with you after surgery.

What will happen during a ventral hernia repair:

• You will be given general anesthesia to keep you asleep and free from pain during surgery. To fix the hernia laparoscopically, your surgeon will make a small incision above or to the side of your hernia, and insert a laparoscope. A laparoscope is a long metal tube with a light and camera on the end. He or she will insert other instruments by making 2 to 4 smaller incisions at different places on your abdomen. In an open hernia repair, your surgeon will make one large incision over your hernia.
• In both types of hernia repair, tools are used to remove the sac that contains your organs or abdominal tissue. Next, your surgeon will move your organs or tissue back into its correct place. Stitches or mesh may be used to close or cover the opening in your abdominal wall. This may prevent your organs and tissues from bulging through it again. Your surgeon may close the incisions in your skin with stitches, medical glue, or strips of medical tape.

What will happen after a ventral hernia repair:

Healthcare providers will monitor you until you are awake. You may be able to go home when your pain is controlled, you can drink liquids, and you can urinate. You may instead need to spend a night in the hospital. You will not be able to drive or lift anything heavy for one to two weeks.

Risks of a ventral hernia repair:

Your organs, blood vessels, or nerves may get injured during the surgery. You may bleed more than expected or get an infection. A pocket of fluid may form under your skin. This may heal on its own or you may need surgery to remove it. Problems, such as a hole in your intestines, may happen during your laparoscopic repair that may lead to a laparotomy (open surgery). Even after you have this surgery, there is a chance that you could have another hernia. You may get a blood clot in your leg or arm. This may become life-threatening.

Call 911 for any of the following:

• You feel lightheaded, short of breath, and have chest pain.
• You cough up blood.
• You have trouble breathing.

Seek care immediately if:

• Your arm or leg feels warm, tender, and painful. It may look swollen and red.
• Blood soaks through your bandage.
• Your abdomen feels hard and looks bigger than usual.
• Your bowel movements are black, bloody, or tarry-looking.

Drugs used to treat this and similar conditions

Contact your healthcare provider if:

• You have a fever above 101° F.
• You develop a skin rash, hives, or itching.
• Your incision is swollen, red, or draining pus or fluid.
• You have nausea, or you are vomiting.
• You cannot have a bowel movement.
• Your pain does not get better after taking pain medicine.
• You have questions or concerns about your condition or care.

Medicines:

You may need any of the following:

• Prescription pain medicine may be given. Ask your surgeon how to take this medicine safely.
• NSAIDs , such as ibuprofen, help decrease swelling, pain, and fever. This medicine is available with or without a doctor's order. NSAIDs can cause stomach bleeding or kidney problems in certain people. If you take blood thinner medicine, always ask your healthcare provider if NSAIDs are safe for you. Always read the medicine label and follow directions.
• Take your medicine as directed. Contact your healthcare provider if you think your medicine is not helping or if you have side effects. Tell your provider if you are allergic to any medicine. Keep a list of the medicines, vitamins, and herbs you take. Include the amounts, and when and why you take them. Bring the list or the pill bottles to follow-up visits. Carry your medicine list with you in case of an emergency.

Care for your wound as directed:

Carefully wash around your wound. It is okay to let soap and water run over your wound. Do not scrub your wound. Dry the area and put on new, clean bandages as directed. Change your bandages when they get wet or dirty. If you have strips of medical tape over your incision, allow them to fall off on their own. Do not get in a bathtub, swimming pool, or hot tub until your surgeon says it is okay.

Self-care:

• Eat a variety of healthy foods. Healthy foods include fruits, vegetables, whole-grain breads, low-fat dairy products, beans, lean meats, and fish. Healthy foods may help you heal faster. Ask if you need to be on a special diet.
• Drink liquids as directed. Liquids may prevent constipation and straining during a bowel movement. This will help prevent pressure on your incision, and another hernia from happening. Ask how much liquid to drink each day and which liquids are best for you.
• Apply ice on your incision for 15 to 20 minutes every hour or as directed. Use an ice pack, or put crushed ice in a plastic bag. Cover it with a towel. Ice helps prevent tissue damage and decreases swelling and pain.
• Take deep breaths and cough 10 times each hour. This will decrease your risk for a lung infection. Take a deep breath and hold it for as long as you can. Let the air out and then cough strongly. Deep breaths help open your airway. You may be given an incentive spirometer to help you take deep breaths. Put the plastic piece in your mouth and take a slow, deep breath, then let the air out and cough. Repeat these steps 10 times every hour. Press a pillow lightly against your incision when you cough. This may decrease pain or discomfort.
• Wear a binder as directed. Your surgeon may tell you to wear a binder over your incision. A binder is an elastic bandage that wraps around your abdomen and over your incision. It fits snug and helps decrease pain when you move or cough.

Driving:

Do not drive for at least one week after surgery. Do not drive if you are taking prescription pain medication. Ask your surgeon when it is safe for you to drive.

Activity:

Do not lift anything heavy until your surgeon says it is okay. This may put too much pressure on your incision and cause it to come apart. It may also increase your risk for another hernia. Do not play sports for 2 to 3 weeks. Ask your surgeon when you can return to work and your normal activities.

Follow up with your healthcare provider as directed:

Write down your questions so you remember to ask them during your visits.

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