Inguinal Hernia - Recovery

I had laparoscopic inguinal hernia surgery last Friday. Joy. I popped it pushing a mattress up some stairs solo. I've read heaps about the recovery timelines (~4 weeks) but does anyone have tricks to getting back faster they can share? For example, light weights, forearms sooner, ect?

I had two about 9 years ago and from what I remember, four weeks sounds about right. It didn't take too long for the incision to heal up, just felt it out after that.

make sure you are standing up tall, if you had a mesh implant establishing your posture early is key as the mesh will bind with the tissue, a friend had the same procedure and he sat way too much and ended in a flexed posture. I had a bilateral repair in 2001 and it was about 6 weeks for me. Limit sitting as this is not the position you want the mesh to fixate itself in so lying flat or standing tall. Then gently add in some hip stretches to keep the length in the hip flexors. Keep the swelling down by icing your nuts and groin for as long as needed, lying on the floor with legs up on a chair or sofa with a small pillow to tilt your hips gets the blood out of the groin quicker. I would avoid lifting for a few more weeks you don't want to engage your core just yet. I was in a hurry to get back fast to resume training for an Ironman and tried to rush things a bit - needless to say that did not happen.

Peter D. wrote:make sure you are standing up tall

Thanks for the feedback guys! Standing desk for me at work I guess. I did get the mesh implant and want to take care.

Hi Evan, how was your recovery? How long did it really take for your complete recovery? I would like to know about it as I recently had direct inguinal hernia repair surgery ( shouldice.com/the-shouldice… ) in a clinic in Thornhill, Ontario and I am currently going through the recovery process. I basically stay at home and surf the coach (I don't try to get into much exercises) But I would like to know if there are any exercises that can help me recover fast? Hoping to hear about your experience Evan!

Hey dude!

It was ~6 weeks to pull ups, 12 weeks to full recovery (whipping off of 11s on gear).

The best thing you can do is walk, walk, walk, and walk. The circulation is important to healing fast. The more blood that moves past the wound (higher heart rate) the faster it will heal.