A hiatal
hernia is a condition that happens in the diaphragm. Diaphragm is the
muscle that divides the chest from the abdomen has some weakness or defect.
As a result, stomach and other organs as well as tissues can bulge into
the chest cavity. Thus most of the patients opt for surgical procedures
to combat this problem.
Surgical procedures help in correcting an overly large opening in the
diaphragm. If proper treatment is not taken, then the contents of the
abdomen can bulge into the chest and as a result this can lead to other
problems like heartburn and even esophagus damage. Surgeries can be of
two types to provide relief from the symptoms: open hiatal hernia repair
and laparoscopy.
If a patient undergoes Laparoscopic surgery then he has to spend around
1 to 3 days in the hospital. A number of precautions have to be taken
by the patient to avoid any type of complications. Gassy foods need to
be avoided. For an instance broccoli is something which would have to
be avoided. It is also advisable to eat frequently but the meals should
be kept small. Overeating should not be done. The patient can carry on
with his normal activities after 1 to 2 weeks after surgery. For those
who are working, can expect to return to work after 2 to 3 weeks of the
surgery. Besides, it is also advised to avoid any kind of strenuous work.
This includes any kind of weight lifting or labor to be avoided for at
least 3 months.
Some people also go for open surgery for getting treatment for Hiatal
hernia. The patient has to spend around 2 to 6 days after the open surgery.
After this type of surgery also it is advised to eat frequently, avoiding
gassy foods and small meals. A person can go back to work after 4 to 6
weeks after surgery. It is also advised to avoid heavy lifting for about
90 days.
In fact there are certain precautions which need to be taken care of after
hiatal hernia surgery. Care should be taken that the incision is protected
from certain activities which increases the abdominal pressure by applying
firm but kind of gentle pressure on the incision line. Some of the activities
during which the incision has to be protected are sneezing, coughing,
crying, vomiting, bearing down during bowel movement or even shifting
from lying position to sitting position or even seated position to standing
position.
Apart from these, post surgery complications are quite rare but there
are chances of bleeding and infection. In case you develop an infection,
you would be prescribed antibiotics. You may also be prescribed certain
narcotic pain killers. In case the patient undergoes incision or mesh
surgery , there might be scar at the particular place. You might have
to avoid climbing stairs for few days and some other basic activities
as well.
Seeking the advice and help of your surgeon can be quite beneficial. You
will be completely fine by the end of 1 to 6 weeks after surgery.
