What to Expect Before, During, and After Your Hernia Surgery

A hernia is an internal injury that occurs when your organs and other tissues push through your abdominal muscle wall. The tell-tale symptom is a visible bulge under your skin, but hernias can also cause pain and other complications.

Once you have a hernia, it won’t heal on its own. The only way to treat it is surgery, and surgeons in the United States do more than one million hernia repairs each year.

Dr. Rochman of Andrew J. Rochman, MD, in Plainview, New York, is highly experienced in performing this procedure. He and his surgical team specialize in hernia repair. Read on as they explain everything you can expect before, during, and after your hernia surgery.

Before your hernia surgery

We start with a comprehensive diagnosis. Dr. Rochman does a physical exam and asks questions about your symptoms. If necessary, we may order medical imaging to get a closer look at your hernia.

Dr. Rochman discusses his findings with you, then develops a treatment plan. Large, painful, or complex hernias usually require surgery, but small ones may not need treatment immediately.

If you’re scheduled for hernia surgery, our team is there to explain what to expect at every step. 

The benefits include:

• Less trauma
• Less blood loss
• Smaller incisions
• Lower risk of infection
• Less pain
• Faster recovery

We will give you specific instructions ahead of your surgery. For example, you may need to stop taking certain medications for a period of time or fast the day before your surgery. 

During your hernia surgery

On the day of your surgery, our team helps you get comfortable and then administers general anesthesia. 

He carefully replaces your abdominal organs and tissues that were displaced by the hernia. Then, he closes the hole in your muscle wall and reinforces it to prevent your hernia from returning.

Once your hernia is fixed, Dr. Rochman uses a few stitches to close your incision, and we move you to a recovery room.

After your hernia surgery

Remember to bring someone with you to drive you home.

We give you instructions on how to care for your incisions, and we may prescribe medication to reduce post-operative pain.

Plan to take 1-2 weeks off work following hernia surgery. Avoid lifting anything over 10 pounds or participating in strenuous activity while you recover.

You have a follow-up appointment with Dr. Rochman about two weeks after your procedure. He examines your incisions, answers any questions you have, and tells you when it’s safe to resume your usual activities.

To find out if you require hernia repair, schedule a consultation with Dr. Rochman and our team. Call our office at 516-980-5761 or request an appointment online now.