When affected by a hernia, it is important to know and understand the possible treatment options and hernia surgery that may be provided to restore a patient’s health.

Here are the possible surgeries available for hernias as well as their corresponding expected recovery times.

Mesh used in a hernia surgery

Open Hernia Repair

What to Expect:

In an open hernia repair, the surgeon will attempt to manipulate the hernia’s bulge back into place.

1. The patient will receive a local or general anesthetic to the surgical area—which will have to be shaved in order to expose the skin.
2. The doctor will then make an incision at the affected area and manually move the protruding organs back into their correct place.
3. At this point depending on the size of the hernia, a hernioplasty may be performed.
4. To finish up, the lining of the abdominal wall will be stitched back together.

Recovery:

Once the procedure is complete, patients will usually be able to return back to their home on the same day. It usually takes up to three weeks before the patient can engage in light activities again. Any other strenuous activity should not be performed until at least six weeks past the surgery.

Hernioplasty

What to Expect:

A hernioplasty works similarly to a herniorrhaphy. The only addition is that a synthetic mesh is inserted and sewn in around the weakened area after the protruding organs have been pushed back into place. This helps reinforce the abdominal wall and further prevent the recursion of a hernia. A hernioplasty is typically more necessary with larger hernias.

Recovery:

Like an open hernia repair, patients will usually be able to return back home the same day of a hernioplasty. It can take up to three weeks before the patient can engage in light activities again. Any other strenuous activity should not be performed until at least six weeks past the surgery.

Labroscopy

What to Expect:

A laparoscopy is another surgery used to repair hernias and it is commonly used when non-invasive methods are unable to help after a hernia’s diagnosis. It utilizes a small instrument known as a laparoscope (a lengthy, thin tube with a high-resolution camera and light at the end) to examine the abdominal organs. The laparoscope is inserted into the abdominal area near the site of the hernia via a small tube. This allows the doctor to see the inside of the patient’s body without the risks of open surgery.

Once the hernia is identified, the doctor can insert two to three more tubes similar in size to the first. These will assist in the removal of the hernia sac, as well as with the insertion of the synthetic mesh—much like a hernioplasty—that reinforces the abdominal wall and prevents hernia recursion.

Recovery:

Given that a laparoscopy utilizes small incisions to be performed, a quick recovery is typically expected and the risks are extremely low. A patient is usually able to resume their normal activities of daily living within a week.

Contact Us / Request an Appointment: For more information about hernia repair, our doctors, or to schedule an appointment with Healthpointe, please call us at (888) 824-5580.