Hernia Repair Surgery: Your Complete Guide to an Optimal Recovery

It’s only natural to put off surgery as long as possible. However, in the case of hernias, getting expert care from board-certified general surgeon Michael Sutker, MD, can help you avoid issues in the long run.

Dr. Sutker uses advanced surgical techniques at his practice in Dallas and McKinney, Texas. As a practitioner in general surgery, you can rest easy knowing you get the personalized, expert care you need when undergoing surgery, especially delicate procedures like hernia repairs.

Do you need surgery for a hernia? These steps can help guarantee optimal recovery.

1. Work with an expert surgeon

The most obvious step to ensure the best results for a hernia surgery involves finding a skilled expert to perform your procedure.

You can have a hernia anywhere in your body where tissue (or an organ) begins squeezing into an area it doesn’t belong. For example, the intestines bulge into the groin area through the abdominal muscles.

These issues occur because the structure meant to hold the organ or tissue in place fails — often from a hole, tear, or general weakness. That’s where hernia repair comes in.

During a hernia repair, a surgeon fixes and reinforces this area of weakness or damage. These repair methods can vary depending on the location and extent of the hernia. Average operating time is about 45-90 minutes but can be up to 3-4 hours.

As a top-ranked general surgeon in Dallas and McKinney, Texas, Dr. Sutker specializes in robotic-assisted laparoscopic techniques for hernia repair.

2. Follow your pre-op instructions

After assessing your condition, Dr. Sutker can provide insight into your hernia repair surgery and what to expect on the day of your procedure.

To ensure the best results on the day of your procedure, Dr. Sutker recommends:

Wearing loose, comfortable clothes
Arranging for a ride home afterward
Packing personal items for a hospital stay, if needed
Not eating or drinking as directed

Dr. Sutker can also tell you if you should stop taking any medications or supplements before your surgery and when. For instance, you should eliminate aspirin or non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications (NSAIDs) a week ahead of your surgery.

3. Follow your post-op instructions

Hernia repairs can take anywhere from 30 minutes to five hours or more. It simply depends on the type of hernia you have and the procedure required to repair it.

These factors also impact the length of your recovery. But you can ensure optimal results by following your post-op instructions to the letter.

Dr. Sutker provides detailed recommendations on a case-by-case basis. However, these instructions typically include:

Applying an ice pack or cold compress every few hours for approximately 15 minutes
Getting up to walk around at least 5-6 times each day
Washing your hands before and after touching your surgical incisions
Using acetaminophen (Tylenol®) to manage your pain
Avoiding strenuous activity as directed

In most cases, people often recover from laparoscopic hernia repair procedures in 2-4 weeks.

5. Know when to contact your doctor

Each year, surgeons perform 1 million hernia repairs in the United States and approximately 20 million worldwide. Overall, they’re considered very safe and have high success rates. However, it’s also possible to experience a few short-term complications that require attention from your provider.

Signs of a problem with your recovery often include: