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Category: Hernia

Hernia Surgery Recovery Time for Seniors

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Compared to previous generations, today’s seniors, known as baby boomers, are more active and are not the old picture of rocking chair grannies. Despite the fact that seniors travel, exercise, and enjoy life, there are still physical limitations and precautions concerning any type of surgery. When it comes to hernia surgery, what is the recovery time for seniors?

Age and Hernia Surgery Recovery

The older you are, the more likely you will develop a hernia. This is due to wear and tear on the abdominal muscles. Although repairing a hernia comes with risks for older people, it is still the best way to treat a hernia.

The Premier Surgical Lawson Group team in Johnson City provides customized instructions for both pre and post hernia surgery. Preparing ahead of time and gathering any important assistance for recovery time helps to speed up healing. Of course, healing time depends on your overall health and following all the guidelines set by your surgeon. Everyone heals differently.

Whether the patient is you, or an elderly relative, keep in mind what to expect. Recovery tends to be slower for seniors due to age-related factors. There will be more fatigue after surgery and during recovery.

  • Someone must drive the patient home after surgery.
  • Expect less energy and more fatigue for several days.
  • It is essential to get enough rest after surgery to allow for healing.
  • Expect discomfort and soreness to last several weeks after the fatigue has improved.
  • Don’t expect to move around much for at least the first week.

Tips for Recovery After Hernia Surgeryhappy senior couple.

The goal is to give your body the time it needs to heal before you can expect to be back to normal activities. Don’t rush it.

It is recommended that someone stay with you during the first few days or weeks you are home from surgery. Your surgeon will give clearance when you can get back to regular activities, including driving.

Listen to your body and it will tell you what it needs. Sleep as often as you feel like it. Many seniors gristle at the term elderly, but age takes its toll. Give yourself permission to do nothing for a while.

At the same time, try to move around some. Walking is the best choice, but do not overexert yourself or stress your abdominal muscles. Ask for help when you need it.

It may take six weeks (or longer) to be without any pain.

Above all, gradually build back your strength. This will help with blood circulation and decrease any possibility of surgical complications.

Contact Premier Surgical Lawson Group if you have questions about hernia surgery recovery time for seniors or to find out if it’s right for you. Give us a call at (423) 975-5650 to schedule an appointment in Johnson City, or request an appointment through our secure online form.

 

Sources: Day-case inguinal hernia repair in the elderly: a surgical priority – PubMed (nih.gov)

Recovery from Hernia Mesh Surgery | Patient Recovery Timeline (drugwatch.com)

Hernia Surgery Recovery: Timeline and Coping (verywellhealth.com)

Umbilical Hernia In Adults: Should I Have Surgery?

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Umbilical hernia in adults: should I have surgery? That’s a question with several answers that may depend on the options you have available to you. It’s a little confusing, and there are factors to consider. Keep reading and find out the choices you have.

General Facts About Hernias

Hernias do not go away on their own. Some hernias stay small and never produce noticeable symptoms. With an asymptomatic hernia, our team at Premier Surgical Lawson Group in Johnson City, TN, may watch and wait before recommending surgery. As long as the hernia remains small, you might not need to undergo surgery.

If the hernia grows larger and you begin to have uncomfortable, painful symptoms, it may be time to have it repaired.

Umbilical Hernias

This is a hernia that develops at the area of your belly button. You can have one from birth if your umbilical cord didn’t close properly. It can be an issue while you are a child, or you may not have symptoms until you reach adulthood.

A weak spot in your stomach muscles can allow the hernia to bulge out filled with fat, intestine and even fluid. Once you have symptoms and discomfort, it is time to discuss a repair with the surgeons of Premier Surgical Lawson Group in Johnson City, TN.

It is better to have umbilical hernia repaired before it could potentially become strangulated or incarcerated. In this case, a part of the intestine gets trapped in the hernia and the blood supply is cut off. Although the chance of an umbilical hernia becoming incarcerated is 1 to 3 percent, if it occurs, it is dangerous and can become life threatening.

Two Types of Umbilical Hernia Surgery

There are two ways to repair an umbilical hernia.

  • Open repair involves a large incision near the navel to make the repair. Although this type of surgery takes up to 4 weeks before the patient can return to normal activities, open hernia repair has been used for many years with great success.
  • The other type is a laparoscopic repair. This is performed by making a few tiny incisions in the abdomen. One is used to send a lighted camera into the area and other incisions or ports are used for the instruments. There seems to be less pain after laparoscopic surgery and the recovery is faster.

The Decision

To have or not to have umbilical surgery should be based on a specialist’s recommendation and the status of your hernia. If it’s hurting, interfering with activities, bulging and you’re not able to push it back in, the answer is yes. If it is not hurting or giving you any problems, the common decision is to “watch and wait.”

If you have additional questions and concerns about an umbilical hernia as an adult, contact Premier Surgical Lawson Group in Johnson City for an evaluation. Give us a call at (423) 975-5650 or request an appointment through our secure online form.

Sources: Umbilical Hernia | Johns Hopkins Medicine

Umbilical Hernia Surgery | Penn Medicine

Umbilical Hernia Repair Surgery (healthline.com)