Hernia Recovery Treatment in NYC

After suffering from a hernia and going through hernia repair treatment, you may be wondering when you can get back to your normal routine. While you may be feeling much better than before, you will need to take precautions before jumping back into your exercise regime.

Often, inguinal hernia surgery recovery involves some form of stretching and light exercise to help get you back to your normal routine. Dr. Mark Reiner in NYC has performed thousands of successful hernia surgeries and can help you get back to your active lifestyle as soon as possible after your inguinal hernia surgery.

How long is recovery time for hernia surgery?

Typically, the full hernia recovery time can take several weeks to months. While most patients can return home the same or next day after hernia surgery, it will take you time to fully return to all of your normal activities. It’s important to strengthen your abdominal muscles following hernia surgery in order to safely and seamlessly return to your regular lifestyle.

When can I exercise after hernia surgery?

You should be able to return to gentle exercises, like walking, shortly after your hernia repair surgery. Low-impact and low-strain exercises can help your body to heal properly over time. However, more strenuous activities like running and weight lifting should not be attempted until several weeks following your hernia repair. Below is what you can expect during the weeks that follow your hernia repair surgery.

One Week After Hernia Surgery – Walking as Necessary Only

After one week has passed since your hernia surgery, you should still be taking caution with how far you are moving. Walking around your house as needed is okay, but you should not be going to work or driving during this part of your recovery. You should even avoid small tasks like making your bed as much as possible during this week of recovery.

Two Weeks After Hernia Surgery – Light Walking and Driving

After you’ve stayed home for a week to recover, you should be feeling a bit better. Once you no longer need prescription pain medication for your hernia pain, you can begin walking, lightly working, and driving again as long as you feel you have the energy to do so. At this stage of your recovery, you should still avoid lifting heavy objects (over 20 lbs) and avoid the gym or fitness machines.

Three Weeks After Hernia Surgery – Light Exercise

After three weeks have passed since your hernia surgery, you can begin to incorporate light exercises and stretches into your routine, emphasizing building core strength.

Abdominal Strength Stretch 1 – One strengthening exercise for hernia recover that you can try involves lying in bed with one leg stretched out in front of you and one leg bent with your foot beneath your knee. Then, reach for your outstretched foot with both of your hands and bend at your waist to stretch as you can. Do not push harder than is comfortable for a normal stretching feeling in your hamstring. If you feel pain, take a break and breathe normally. Do not strain and try to keep your back as straight as possible.

Abdominal Strength Stretch 2 – Another stretch you can try is sitting straight up in a chair and crossing your left hand over your right knee, looking to the right, and breathing deeply. You can place your right hand on the back of the chair for support if needed.
If you need help completing either of these stretches, consult with Dr. Reiner, who can show you the best way to stretch and strengthen your abdomen following a hernia procedure.

One Month After Hernia Surgery – Low-Impact Exercise

After about a month has passed since your hernia surgery, you can begin to incorporate low-impact exercises back into your normal workout routine. Listen to your body during the next few months and only add new exercises back into your routine when they do not cause you discomfort or pain. Some of the exercises you may be able to do one month after your hernia surgery include:

• Swimming
• Cycling
• Walking
• Elliptical machines
• Planking

Six Months After Hernia Surgery – High-Impact Exercise

Unless otherwise instructed by your physician, wait until at least 4-6 months following hernia surgery to begin incorporating high-impact exercises back into your routine. These include:

• Running
• Sprinting
• Jumping
• Diving
• Gymnastics
• Rugby
• Baseball/softball
• Tennis
• Skiing/snowboarding
• Cross country
• Mountain biking
• Weight lifting

Consult with Dr. Reiner if you are unsure whether the exercise you want to attempt is considered high-impact or low-impact. Always take precautions and do not attempt activities that cause you pain following hernia surgery.

What are the most common types of hernia repair?

Some of the most common hernia repair surgeries include the following:

• Epigastric hernia repair
• Belly button hernia repair
• Inguinal hernia repair
• Femoral hernia repair
• Umbilical hernia repair
• Sliding hiatal hernia repair
• Indirect inguinal hernia repair
• Direct inguinal hernia repair

Depending on the type of hernia you are recovering from, you’ll need to take specific actions and care to help your body completely recover. Discuss your specific situation with Dr. Reiner to determine how long you should wait before exercising after your hernia repair surgery.

If you have suffered from a hernia or suspect you may have a hernia, the first step to getting back to your regular active lifestyle is to schedule a consultation with an experienced hernia doctor. Dr. Mark Reiner is a top surgeon in the field of minimally invasive hernia repair, and has performed thousands of successful hernia operations. Contact Dr. Reiner today by calling 212.879.6677 or filling out the form on this page.