The healthier you are prior to having non-mesh hernia repair, the better and quicker your recovery will go. After dealing with the pain and inconvenience of living with a hernia, no matter how long or short a time, you’re looking forward to getting back into your regular routine. Here are seven of Dr. William Brown’s best tips for preparing for non-mesh hernia surgery.
Tips To Prepare For Hernia Surgery
1. Quit smoking three months before your surgery
If you do nothing else to prepare your body for a successful recovery, do this one thing. Your body requires strong collagen to repair itself, and nothing weakens collagen like smoking does. If you smoke, you are taking a significant risk for the hernia repair to fail. Coughing associated with smoking also endangers your repair. A smoker’s cough contracts muscles in your abdomen. The strain can pull out sutures before you have a chance to heal, and you’ll have to start over with another surgery.
2. Achieve a normal Body Mass Index (BMI)
If you fall into the high range of being overweight or obese, you are far more likely to experience a more difficult surgery. Extra pounds make the site harder for Dr. Brown to access and adds time to the procedure. Since nerves among extra body fat are not easily identified, there is a higher risk of nerve injury. Should there be unexpected bleeding, find the source is harder to find and stop. Unless medically necessary, delay scheduling your non-mesh hernia repair surgery until your BMI is at a healthy level.
If you are taking any medications for weight loss, stop before having surgery to avoid a drop in blood pressure while you’re under anesthesia.
3. Get pulmonary issues under control
When you cough after non-mesh hernia repair surgery, you’re going to feel it. Not only does it hurt, but it can pull at the surgical stitches, and possible rip the repair. Get any pulmonary issues that cause coughing under control as much as possible prior to surgery to avoid discomfort and possible re-injury.
4. Ease constipation
Constipation is a very common problem for many people. If you suffer from it, then you know the strain that comes with having a bowl movement. This strain actually pulls on the repair’s stitches, and again, can disrupt the sutures or rip them entirely. There are many ways to combat constipation and your physician can help you choose the right one for you.
5. Check with your urologist if you’re a man with a large prostate
An enlarged prostate has the same effect on your muscles as constipation does, but this time you’re straining to empty the bladder. If you strain to urinate, see your urologist prior to scheduling non-mesh hernia repair surgery.
6. If you take blood thinners, consult your doctor before hernia repair surgery
Blood thinners increase your risk of bleeding. It’s best to stop taking these medications before your surgery. But DO NOT stop taking them until you have spoken to your doctor. If you’re at risk for a stroke or heart attack and must continue taking medication. Even though the chance of bleeding is higher, you can still undergo surgery to repair your hernia. Talk to your doctor first about any medications you take that could affect your recovery.
7. Have a recovery plan in place prior to surgery
Homeopathic therapy and a slow and steady approach to your recovery are very helpful. Have these plans in place prior to surgery so that you can follow immediately follow them. Dr. Brown also strongly believes that homeopathic therapy helps with inflammation and healing. Review a homeopathic therapy plan.
Contact Dr. Brown today to learn more about his approach to hernia repair without mesh.