It is often said that a hernia is only a cosmetic defect. It's not true! No kidding with a hernia. Therefore, surgery is the best solution to the problem. Sometimes, however, you have to wait a long time for the procedure. How to live then so as not to worsen your condition? How to prepare for hernia surgery?

Hernia surgeryis usually the so-calledplanned operationand many months to come. During this time, the hernia may not only be painful, but also increase significantly. Most types of hernias (not only abdominal, but also inguinal, umbilical, hiatal or postoperative) are not life-threatening, but serious problems can arise when trapped. In order to prevent this from happening, it is worth following certain rules of conduct and, moreover, getting ready for the pending surgery.

You need to remember about this before hernia surgery

  • Make sure you have a current vaccination against hepatitis B (hepatitis B). It is enough to test the antibodies, and if there are too few of them, vaccinate yourself with the so-called booster dose.
  • If you suffer from any chronic disease, take the prescribed medication regularly so that your overall he alth does not deteriorate.
  • Avoid colds and any infections that might cause you to sneeze and cough. These are situations in which the pressure in the abdominal cavity rises sharply, which can cause hernia to grow larger and even become trapped.
  • Do not overeat, as abdominal pressure also increases after a heavy meal. In addition, an overloaded stomach and intestines overloaded with food need more space, and by "pushing up", they can cause the hernia to grow larger. Before and after surgery, reduce the volume of meals significantly, but eat more often, 5-6 times a day.
  • Avoid constipation, as the pressure that builds up in your abdomen when you try to have a bowel movement can be so great that it causes a significant enlargement of the hernia. If you are prone to constipation and flatulence, be sure to change your diet - eat more fiber-rich foods (vegetables, fruits, brown bread) and avoid bloating foods (beans, peas, cabbage, onion). Also remember to drinkapprox. 2.5 liters of fluid during the day. You can also ask your doctor to indicate a laxative that is appropriate for you, which you will use if necessary.
  • Do not lift weights as this will put your abdominal muscles under a lot of pressure, which will increase the pressure inside the abdomen and may trap the hernia.
  • Each hernia operation should have a special mesh that strengthens the abdominal wall, but the hospital does not always have one. It is worth making sure that he will have it. You can buy it yourself, but it costs 1.5-6 thousand. PLN (depending on the size).
  • The most dangerous condition is when a hernia becomes trapped. The intestines pass through an opening in the abdominal wall, which then tightens, preventing the intestines from retreating into the abdominal cavity. The food they contain cannot move any further, which causes the intestine to become blocked. The intestine itself does not receive nutritional blood, and in a short time, due to ischemia, necrosis develops. Identifying an entrapment is not difficult. Where there is a hernia, the abdomen used to be soft, now you can feel a hard, painful lump with your hand. The skin on it is very red and very warm. After a few hours, there is flatulence, sharp abdominal pain, nausea, and sometimes vomiting. It is also not possible to pass gas and stool. Then you have to call an ambulance, because you need to get to the operating room as soon as possible. Before the ambulance arrives, lie on your back. Place a small pillow under the pelvis (e.g. a cushion). Bend your legs slightly at the knees and try to breathe evenly despite the pain. This position relaxes the abdominal muscles and the hernial ring. Sometimes it even happens that the intestines return to their place on their own, but only a doctor can tell that.
Important

This is how a hernia develops

The content of the abdominal cavity is held by shells built, among others, by from muscles, ligaments, tendons, i.e. strong strands of fibrous connective tissue. There is a constant pressure inside the abdominal cavity, but it increases when the abdominal muscles work, for example when coughing, laughing, pressing on a stool or urinating. Under the influence of excessively high pressure, the abdominal integuments may rupture and the peritoneal membrane (most often along with loops of the intestines) may be abnormally bulging. This is how a hernia is formed. It is worth knowing that in the walls of the abdominal cavity there are certain places that are characterized by reduced strength, and this is where hernias are most often located: in the groin (70% of cases), thigh (12%), navel (11%).

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Gastrology