Michael C. Lilly, MD, FACS
Gulf Surgery
2061 Englewood Road, Suite 2A
Englewood, FL 34223
(941)474-5759
www.gulfsurgery.com
Laparoscopic inguinal Hernia Repair Post-op Instructions
You have had a Laparoscopic inguinal hernia repair. This just means that your groin hernia has been repaired through 4 small incisions using a cameral and long instruments, as opposed to an open repair where the incision is made directly over the hernia.
After surgery you do not need to change your diet, but I would recommend that your first meal after surgery be “light”.
You will have small incisions with Dermabond ( a glue-like dressing) on them. There are absorbable sutures under the skin that may cause the skin to pucker. This will resolve as the suture absorbs over the next month. It is OK to shower the day after surgery and let water sprinkle the wounds, but please do not soak or submerge them for about 10 days.
Your activity is largely as tolerated. meaning if it hurts don’t do it. You are not going to cause a breakdown of the hernia repair with early activity, but you can keep it inflamed if you do not listen to your body, and your body will tell you if you are irritating it. Persistent inflammation means pain and a protracted recovery.
If returning to work is a concern, I recommend that most are able to return to work after a week, unless of course work involves strenuous manual labor. We can work with you depending on your needs. and job description.
You should have a 2 week follow-up appointment that is scheduled at the time of you pre-op office visit. If you do not have a post-op office visit scheduled, please call for one.
After laparoscopic inguinal hernia repair issues patients may have are:
Swelling, especially of the scrotum. This can be mitigated by using ice packs on the groin, especially the first 2 days. Also by wearing supportive underwear. I recommend compression athletic shorts or cycling shorts.
Urinary retention, especially in older men, who already have an enlarged prostate. We try to make sure that you are able to void prior to leaving the ambulatory surgery unit after surgery. If you already have voiding issues (a weak stream, getting up more than once per night to void) it is important that I know pre-op so that I can prescribe medicine that may make post-op urinary retention less likely. If, after going home, you are unable to void, or find yourself voiding a very small amount every hour, you may be in urinary retention. You should call the office, and if it is after hours, you may be directed to the ER to have a urinary catheter placed.
Infection. Infection is exceedingly rare after this procedure, but would be manifest by worsening groin pain and fever. Call the office if you feel this is happening.
Pain is a normal part of the post-op course. It is unrealistic to expect to have none. While many patient’s will have very little pain, and use almost none of the pain medication prescribed, some will have more, and need the pain medication longer. While there may be ups and downs with regard to the post-op pain, as long as there is some progress in improving the pain, there is unlikely anything to worry about.If the pain is worsening, instead of improving, call the office.