Hernia surgery can be a daunting prospect for many. It is a major medical procedure, often requiring general anesthesia and sometimes involving a stay in the hospital. But after the procedure, many patients find themselves with a larger-than-normal stomach, and they may be wondering why this is happening to them.
The answer lies in the type of hernia repair surgery that was performed. Generally speaking, there are two main types of hernia repair: open and laparoscopic. Open hernia repair involves making a large incision to access the area of the hernia, while laparoscopic hernia repair is done through small keyhole incisions using specialized instruments.
Open hernia repair
In open hernia repair, the surgeon needs to make an opening big enough to access and close off any tears or disruptions in the tissue around the area of the hernia. This means that some healthy tissue must also be removed or repositioned during surgery to allow for adequate space for stitching up any tears or disruptions in the tissue around the site of the hernia.
As such, with open hernia repairs, there may be some abdominal wall muscle that has been stretched or pulled away during surgery, which will result in an increased size of your stomach when compared to before your operation.
Laparoscopic repair
With laparoscopic repairs, on the other hand, small instruments are put through keyholes so that surgeons can fix any tears without removing or pulling away any healthy abdominal wall muscle. This means that you will not get as big after the surgery as you would with open repairs.
How long it takes to heal from hernia surgery
If you’ve recently undergone hernia surgery, you may be wondering: how long will it take to heal? The answer will depend on a few factors, such as the type of hernia and the technique used during the surgery.
Generally speaking, most patients who undergo hernia repair with laparoscopic or open surgery can expect to return to normal activity within two to four weeks. You may experience some soreness and fatigue in the days following your procedure, but these should subside as you heal.
During this time, it’s important to follow your doctor’s instructions for postoperative care. This includes getting plenty of rest, taking any medications prescribed by your doctor, avoiding strenuous activities and heavy lifting for a period of time, and keeping the incision area clean and dry. A physical therapist may also be able to provide specific exercises that help speed up the recovery process.
In some cases where there is a particularly large hernia or complex repair needed, healing time may be longer than four weeks. In these instances, your doctor will likely suggest more rest periods and more frequent checkups in order to monitor progress.
If at any point during your recovery you experience pain that persists or worsens despite taking medication or resting as advised by your doctor, seek medical advice right away, as this can indicate an infection or other complication that needs treatment.
Overall, healing from hernia surgery takes time, but with proper care, the vast majority of people are able to return to their regular activities within two months after their procedure without any problems. With patience and following post-operative instructions closely, you too will soon be feeling like yourself again!
Reduce stomach size after hernia surgery
It is important to note, however, that you should not worry if you do experience some postoperative enlargement after your operation, as this is usually temporary and should resolve itself within a few weeks as everything heals up properly.
During this period, it is important to take care of yourself by following all instructions provided by your doctor, such as avoiding lifting heavy objects and taking medications as prescribed for pain relief if necessary.
These steps can help make sure you have enough time to heal after your surgery so that your stomach can get back to normal.
The bottom line
If, after several weeks, you are still concerned about stomach enlargement, it may be worth consulting with your doctor, who can advise you on how to best manage this issue and ensure proper healing time after surgery. So don’t be afraid to seek medical advice if necessary!
Sources
https://generalsurgery.ucsf.edu/conditions–procedures/hernia-overview.aspx
https://www.bcm.edu/healthcare/specialties/surgery/general-surgery/inguinal-hernia-repair
