After a hernia surgery, rehabilitation is key to your recovery. However, did you know there are things you can do before the procedure to reduce the risks?
Prehabilitation can help to prepare the body for surgery, aiding in overall recovery. Although hernia surgery tends to be minimally invasive, it isn’t without its risks and complications.
Here, we will explore why prehabilitation is important if you want to aid recovery after undergoing hernia surgery.
What is hernia surgery?
Hernia surgery is an effective way to eliminate large, problematic hernias. Most hernias will require surgery to remove them. There are several ways the procedure can be carried out including an open or a keyhole approach.
During keyhole surgery the surgeon will make a small incision through which a small camera and specialised tools will be used to carry out the repair. The bulge will be pushed back into place before mesh is used to secure and strengthen the area.
Understanding the risks and complications
There are some risks and complications that can lead to a poor recovery after a hernia repair. The most common risk factors include:
- Obesity
- Smoking
- Lack of core muscle strength
- Diabetes
Obesity and smoking are particularly known to increase the risk of a poor recovery. The good news is most of these risk factors can be reduced with a good prehabilitation program.
How can prehabilitation help?
Prehabilitation refers to getting the body in peak condition prior to undergoing surgery. The healthier you are when you go under the knife, the less likely you will be to experience potential risks and complications.
So, what does it involve? This will ultimately vary from patient to patient. Surgeons can set up a customised prehabilitation program for any patient that will benefit. This could include dietary changes, cutting down on alcohol, quitting smoking, and increasing physical activity.
Surgeons who do have prehabilitation programs in place have seen a drastic reduction in side effects after a hernia repair. This includes a reduced risk of infection and reoccurrence.
However, you don’t have to rely on a surgical prehabilitation program alone. Making healthier lifestyle choices will ultimately help to reduce the risks involved.
How long does it take to recover from hernia surgery?
Recovery from a hernia repair will typically take between three and six weeks. You should ideally wait a couple of weeks before getting back to your usual daily routine.
After the procedure, you will likely experience some level of pain, redness, and swelling. You can take over-the-counter anti-inflammatory and pain medications to ease these symptoms. It is also worth noting that the type of hernia repair you undergo will also impact recovery.
Your surgeon will provide full aftercare instructions to help ease discomfort and aid in recovery.
If you are looking to reduce the risks of hernia repair surgery, consider prehabilitation. Book a consultation with Mr Woodward today to plan for your hernia repair with an effective prehabilitation program.
