Stomach (Epigastric) Hernias

What to Expect

Surgery & Follow-Up

Expect to be discharged on the same day as surgery. Plan for a friend/family member to pick you up and drive you home.

Diet

Repair of your umbilical or epigastric hernia does not require any special diet restrictions after surgery.

Some patients may find that their appetite is poor for a week or two after surgery. This is a normal result of the stress of surgery and your appetite should return in time. If you find you are persistently nauseated or unable to take in liquids, please contact our office and let us know.

Wound Care

It is okay to start showering 36 hours after surgery unless instructed otherwise. If you have any gauze or band-aids on the incision, gently remove them before showering.

Incisions are commonly covered with either glue or small pieces of tape (called steri-strips) attached directly to the skin. It is okay to get glue or these little tapes wet in the shower. Do not scrub these areas vigorously. Both glue and steri-strips will begin to peel 7 – 10 days after surgery. At this point, it is safe for you to peel them off. You do not need them on when you come for your postoperative visit.

No baths, pools or hot tubs for two weeks following surgery.

We try to close your incisions to leave the smallest possible scar. Do not put any ointment or other medication on your incisions – it will not make them “heal better.”

Activity

There are no medical or physical restrictions on activity after surgery. That means it is okay to walk, climb stairs, lift, have sexual intercourse, mow the lawn or exercise as long as it doesn't hurt. In fact, returning to normal activity as soon as possible will most likely enhance your recovery. However, if it doesn't feel good, don't do it. Take it easy and let pain be your guide.

You may also feel easily fatigued and worn out for a week or two following surgery. This may limit your activity, but you will not cause any damage even if some soreness is experienced.

Work

Everyone returns to work at different times. If you want, you may return to work right away; however, as a rough guide, most people take at least 1 – 2 weeks off prior to returning to work or school. This timing may also depend on the type of work that you do. If you need medical documentation for your job, please call the office.

Driving

You may be given clearance to drive once you haven’t taken narcotic (prescription) pain medications for two consecutive days. It is important that you are able to respond quickly to things on the road and that your ability to react is not impaired by pain or pain medications.

Bowel Movements

The first bowel movement may occur anywhere from 1 – 5 days after surgery. As long as you are not nauseated or having abdominal pain this is an acceptable time range. It is very common to pass more gas because you won’t be able to belch. Some patients may have diarrhea for the first few days after their hernia repair. In the vast majority of cases, bowel function normalizes with time. Constipation may also be common from the pain medication. We recommend taking Milk of Magnesia (2 tablespoons, twice a day) while taking the pain pills to avoid constipation.

Seroma

Some patients may think that their hernia has returned soon after surgery. This is a normal feeling and/or appearance. It is very unlikely that the hernia repair failed so soon after surgery. Much more commonly, the place where the hernia was can fill with post-operative fluid, a condition called a seroma. This fluid is a normal result of surgery and will usually be absorbed by the body within 3 months. Wearing a binder regularly can help this fluid to reabsorb.

When to Call

Call your surgeon's office if any of the following occur:

• Fever of 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit or greater
• Shaking with chills
• Pain that increases over time
• Redness, warmth or pus draining from incision sites
• Persistent nausea or inability to take in liquids