If you are having a hernia repair, you many have several questions about what you can do or how you can expect to feel after hernia surgery. Our goal is to ensure you have all the information you need for a smooth and comfortable recovery after hernia surgery.
Our advice covers important information on how to get the best from your hernia surgery, as well as information on how to improve your results by using our Hernia Rehabilitation Exercises and advice on buying hernia supports.
Find out more about our Hernia Recovery Programme Shop, where you can purchase our recommended hernia supports and bespoke Hernia Rehabilitation Exercises.
Our Hernia Recovery Programme is designed to help you reactivate your life without hernia symptoms holding you back. Whether you are waiting for or recovering from surgery, or someone who is looking for a way to help manage your symptoms, our recovery resources will help both before and after surgery.
The programme includes:
For the best results, use all three resources together.
We have worked with patients to design these exercises for patients to help you to achieve excellent results. The majority of our patients who completed our rehabilitation exercise survey believed that our recovery exercises helped their recovery.
These exercises are suitable for those of all ages and athletic abilities. They can be started pre-surgery and then from day 2 post-surgery.
For the first 1-2 weeks, they increase blood flow to your repair site to aid wound healing.
As the videos progress, they become more energetic and help strengthen your wound. They influence how your scar remodels which becomes the most active at 4-6 weeks post-surgery. This improves the flexibility and long-term comfort of your scar.
Exercise Videos Included
in self-funded surgery package cost
Continue the exercises for 6 months to get through the active phase of scar remodelling and create a strong, comfortable repair.
Read more about these exercises on our Hernia Recovery Programme Shop. If you are not buying a surgery package with us, you can purchase the exercises here.
Using hernia supports (also known as hernia pants, hernia underwear, an abdominal wrap or a hernia belt) is a simple yet effective way to make your recovery easier.
Pre-surgery, they help keep your hernia pushed in and support your abdominal muscles.
Hernia supports (with the pad inserted if using hernia pants or briefs) should be worn for the first 48 hours post-surgery. They work as a pressure dressing during this time to reduce bruising and swelling.
From day 3 post-surgery, the hernia supports should continue to be worn (with the pad removed for pants/briefs) to provide support to your abdominal wall while it is weakened.
This will help you feel more confident staying active as you heal, particularly while using the Hernia Rehabilitation Exercises.
In fact, the majority of our patients who completed our Clinical Outcomes surveys have said they would recommend a hernia support and found it helped them feel more confident returning to activity and helped relieve discomfort.
We sell hernia supports that have been tested and recommended by past patients. These are available in our Hernia Recovery Programme Shop. The advice given there is still useful if you buy hernia supports elsewhere.
Please wear the groin hernia pants/briefs with the pad inserted pre-surgery and for the first 48 hours post-surgery. Then, wear with the pad removed from day 3 post-surgery.
The abdominal wrap/belt can be worn both pre- and post-surgery.
Download our post hernia surgery advice leaflet. This includes advice on:
Nuffield health Wessex – SO53 2DZ
Spire Southampton Hospital – SO16 6UY
