From the Research
After umbilical hernia repair surgery, patients should follow a recovery period of 4-6 weeks, avoiding heavy lifting and strenuous activities to prevent recurrence, as supported by the most recent and highest quality study 1. The recovery guidelines after umbilical hernia repair surgery include:
- Resting for the first 24-48 hours while gradually increasing activity over 1-2 weeks
- Avoiding heavy lifting (nothing over 10 pounds) for 4-6 weeks to prevent recurrence
- Taking prescribed medications such as acetaminophen (Tylenol) 500-1000mg every 6 hours or ibuprofen (Advil) 400-600mg every 6 hours as directed for pain management
- Keeping the incision site clean and dry, changing dressings as instructed by the surgeon, typically once daily for the first week
- Watching for signs of infection including increasing redness, warmth, drainage, or fever above 101°F
- Showering 24-48 hours after surgery unless instructed otherwise, but patting the incision area dry rather than rubbing
- Eating a high-fiber diet and staying hydrated to prevent constipation, which can strain the surgical site
- Considering stool softeners like docusate sodium (Colace) 100mg twice daily as recommended
- Returning to desk work within 3-7 days, but waiting 4-6 weeks for physically demanding jobs
- Following up with the surgeon 1-2 weeks after surgery to assess healing and discuss further activity progression, as seen in studies 2, 3, 4. It is essential to note that the use of mesh in umbilical hernia repair has been shown to decrease recurrence rates, even in small hernias 2, and laparoscopic approaches may be preferred in obese patients due to lower rates of postoperative infection and hernia recurrence 3.