Rehabilitation after removal of an umbilical hernia

An operation for an umbilical hernia is a mandatory measure, and it is assigned to everyone without exception. Removal is performed by the method of tension or non-tension hernioplasty, and in each case there will be specific features of the rehabilitation period. After surgery to remove an umbilical hernia, there is a risk of complications and recurrence of the disease, so patients are prescribed a special regimen to minimize risks.

Excision of an umbilical hernia in adults is performed as planned. Before the operation, the body is sanitized, contraindications are excluded. In children under 6 years of age, attempts are still being made to reduce the navel without surgery, but in this case, there is a high risk of a hernia in adulthood against the background of high physical activity and pathologies of the gastrointestinal tract.

Rehabilitation after removal of an umbilical hernia includes such basic measures as wearing a bandage, physical therapy, prevention of gastrointestinal pathologies, and exclusion of high physical activity.

Complications after umbilical hernia surgery occur mainly in patients who ignore the rules of rehabilitation. But even more often, the consequences of hernia repair relate to the mistakes of the surgeon during the preparation for the intervention and its implementation.

Rehabilitation after hernia removal

After a week, the stitches are removed, and after the scar has completely healed, various restorative procedures are prescribed. Young children and adults in the late period of rehabilitation are shown massage, therapeutic exercises, drugs for pain relief and physiotherapy as prescribed. After the suture is removed, a postoperative bandage is prescribed, in which you need to walk for several hours a day until the damaged muscle tissue is restored. It usually takes about two months, but this process is individual for each person.

To reduce the rehabilitation period allows compliance with all doctor's prescriptions, which include diet, reduction of physical activity, proper rest and limitation of stressful situations.

An umbilical hernia also occurs after surgery, which is facilitated by poor healing of the scar, non-compliance with preventive measures and congenital anomalies of the connective tissue. A recurrence of the disease is more often observed in patients who early refuse to wear a bandage, do not follow a therapeutic diet and give high physical activity to the muscles of the anterior abdominal wall.

In the early postoperative period, it is extremely important to eat right. The diet is based on preventing intestinal pressure on the operated area. This can be achieved by excluding fixing and gas-forming products from the diet.

The postoperative bandage is not put on the patient immediately, but only after the wound has healed, but in rare cases exceptions are made, which will depend on the choice of the attending physician.

In the early period after the operation of the umbilical hernia, the patient can move independently, but do this only in a supporting corset.

The patient is discharged 2-3 days after laparoscopic surgery and 3-7 days after open hernioplasty.

Features of recovery in the first weeks after umbilical hernia surgery:

• after removal of a hernia in men, a urologist is regularly examined , because after the operation, problems from the genitourinary system may be disturbing;
• the diet after removal of the umbilical hernia is the same for women and men , it will be strict for the first days, and in case of complications - weeks, then the food is diluted and supplemented;
• after hernia repair, the scar can be removed by the laser method only after the wound has completely healed and tissues have been restored;
• after an operation to eliminate several pathologies of the gastrointestinal tract at the same time, the diet is selected individually , because it differs depending on the operated organ;
• therapeutic measures are prescribed exclusively by the attending physician and rehabilitator , and at home, you can only follow the prescriptions and apply methods approved by the specialist;
• physical education and physical work are permissible after a scar has formed , but at the same time, loads must be limited for another year, because the healing of tissues is a long process, and with incomplete recovery there is always a risk of recurrence or the development of a postoperative hernia.

Possible complications after surgery

The divergence of the seams and the development of a ventral hernia are frequent, but not the only consequences of hernia repair. Complications after surgery arise due to the mistakes of the patient, and more often the surgeon.

What can happen after excision of an umbilical hernia:

• eating out of schedule contributes to the appearance of constipation, which will become a factor in the appearance of postoperative hernia or recurrence of the umbilical cord ;
• an early return to stress will lead to suture failure and relapse;
• refusal of the umbilical bandage may result in muscle divergence and the recurrence of pathology in the same place ;
• ignoring the need to visit a doctor for dressings and preventive examination threatens with inflammation of the wound, its suppuration, which will aggravate the condition and delay the recovery of the body.

Massage and physiotherapy

In the postoperative period, massage is prescribed mainly for young children who have suffered a congenital umbilical hernia. Adults are also recommended a course of therapeutic massage to accelerate wound healing by stimulating metabolic processes. The procedure can only be performed by a professional massage therapist who is familiar with the history of the disease. At home, massage is permissible after the full recovery of the body.

Physiotherapy will not be mandatory, but a useful measure.

The patient may be prescribed drug electrophoresis, magnetotherapy, treatment with currents. Of the non-traditional methods of treatment, acupuncture, hirudotherapy, and apitherapy will be safe after surgery.

Exercise therapy and bandage

Physiotherapy exercises will be a useful measure to prevent the recurrence of pathology in all patients without exception. Gymnastics is prescribed after the healing of the scar, and when the patient gets rid of pain. A prerequisite for starting classes will be the absence of an inflammatory process of any localization.

Exercises are performed at home. The complex is selected first with the doctor, then corrected by the patient, depending on the sensations. It is permissible to do simple gymnastic exercises aimed at relaxing and strengthening the muscles of the abdomen, back, buttocks.

Daily exercise is recommended. It is better to divide the complex of exercises into several approaches, devoting 10-20 minutes to each.

The movements performed should not cause pain and discomfort. If there are discomfort, you should tell your doctor about it. A change in condition for the worse may indicate the occurrence of complications.

The postoperative bandage is prescribed for several weeks. In it, you need to do everyday activities, go out, that is, put on a belt during moments of physical activity. At night and during rest, the corset is removed. You need to wear it for as long as the doctor says. If you abuse its use, in the future it will lead to muscle weakness.