Inguinal hernia repair, also known as herniorrhaphy, fixes an opening, weakness, or bulge in the lining tissue (peritoneum) of the abdominal wall in the groin area between the abdomen and the thigh.
The hernia repair site must be kept clean and any sign of swelling or redness reported to the surgeon. Patients should also report a fever, and men should report any pain or swelling of the testicles. The surgeon may remove the outer sutures in a follow-up visit about a week after surgery, so sex is inadvisable in the seven days after the operation, but check with the doctor as for exact dates of any restart.
Activities may be limited to non-strenuous movement for up to two weeks, depending on the type of surgery performed and whether or not the surgery is the first hernia repair. To allow proper healing of muscle tissue, hernia repair patients should avoid heavy lifting for six to eight weeks after surgery.
Prevention of indirect hernias, which are congenital, is not possible. However, preventing direct hernias and reducing the risk of recurrence of direct and indirect hernias can be accomplished by the following measures: Maintain body weight as per one’s Body Mass Index; strengthen abdominal muscles through exercise; adopt a high in fibre diet to reduce pressure on the abdomen; safe lifting when necessary.
Recovery times will vary, depending on the type of surgery performed. Patients undergoing open surgery will experience little discomfort and will resume normal activities within one to two weeks. Laparoscopy patients will be able to enjoy normal activities within one or two days, returning to a normal work routine and lifestyle within four to seven days, with the exception of heavy lifting and contact sports.
As for future sexual contact, it would be very unlikely for a hernia to affect a man's ability to maintain an erection or to achieve orgasm and ejaculation, as it does not distort or compress the blood vessels or nerves that control penile erection and ejaculation. Surgery can occasionally compromise the blood supply to the testis, providing another potential mechanism for low testosterone.
The hernia repair site must be kept clean and any sign of swelling or redness reported to the surgeon. Patients should also report a fever, and men should report any pain or swelling of the testicles. The surgeon may remove the outer sutures in a follow-up visit about a week after surgery, so sex is inadvisable in the seven days after the operation, but check with the doctor as for exact dates of any restart.
Activities may be limited to non-strenuous movement for up to two weeks, depending on the type of surgery performed and whether or not the surgery is the first hernia repair. To allow proper healing of muscle tissue, hernia repair patients should avoid heavy lifting for six to eight weeks after surgery.
Prevention of indirect hernias, which are congenital, is not possible. However, preventing direct hernias and reducing the risk of recurrence of direct and indirect hernias can be accomplished by the following measures: Maintain body weight as per one’s Body Mass Index; strengthen abdominal muscles through exercise; adopt a high in fibre diet to reduce pressure on the abdomen; safe lifting when necessary.
Recovery times will vary, depending on the type of surgery performed. Patients undergoing open surgery will experience little discomfort and will resume normal activities within one to two weeks. Laparoscopy patients will be able to enjoy normal activities within one or two days, returning to a normal work routine and lifestyle within four to seven days, with the exception of heavy lifting and contact sports.
As for future sexual contact, it would be very unlikely for a hernia to affect a man's ability to maintain an erection or to achieve orgasm and ejaculation, as it does not distort or compress the blood vessels or nerves that control penile erection and ejaculation. Surgery can occasionally compromise the blood supply to the testis, providing another potential mechanism for low testosterone.
