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Recovery From Inguinal Hernia Surgery

Inguinal Hernia Surgery: What Can I Expect During My Recovery?

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Week 1

You will have some mild to moderate pain in the first few days which should be well controlled by rest, inactivity, and mild pain killers such as Tylenol and Ibuprofen. Cold packs are often helpful. Men frequently notice bruising around the incisions, scrotum, and penis. Constipation can occur after surgery and can be treated with stool softeners or fiber supplements. Most patients return to office-based work after 3-4 days. By the end of the first week, you should be walking without limitation and have resumed your basic daily functions such as showering/bathing and going shopping (ensuring that you do not carry heavy bags). You should not exercise during the first week.

Week 2

During the second week, you will have resumed most of your daily activities around the house and most patients have returned to work on limited duties. Light exercise such as jogging, cycling, yoga and pilates can be started. Bruising and swelling, if present, are resolving. Your follow-up appointment is usually at the end of two weeks.

Week 3

By the third week, there should be little or no discomfort and you should be back to work on full duties so long as you are not lifting anything very heavy. Most exercise and sports can be restarted.

Week 4

​By the fourth week, your recovery should be complete. You can expect to be able to return to all sports, including contact sports and heavy weights in the gym.

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