Dr Harsh Shah
MS, MCh (Surgical Gastroenterology), DrNB (Surgical Gastroenterology)
Registered with Gujarat Medical Council, Reg. No. G-38738
Robotic Hernia Surgeon · Apollo Hospital, Bhat, Gandhinagar · Gota OPD, Ahmedabad
In short
Most people feel calmer about an operation when they know what will happen and when. A hernia repair is a planned operation, and the day follows a fairly set pattern.
This page walks through the day in order. Your own hospital may differ a little, so always follow the instructions you are given.
Eat a light dinner. Stop eating and drinking at the times your anaesthetist gives you. Take a bath, and do not shave the area yourself.
Keep ready your reports, your tablets, a list of any allergies and loose clothes for going home. If you take blood thinners or diabetes tablets, follow the plan made at your earlier visit.
The day of hernia surgery at a glance
| Stage | What happens | What you do |
|---|---|---|
| Night before | Fasting begins at the time you were given | Eat a light dinner, bathe, sleep early |
| Arrival | Checks of details, tests and tablets | Bring reports, tablets and a list of allergies |
| Before theatre | Side marked, consent confirmed, drip started | Ask any last questions |
| Operation | Anaesthetic, then the repair | Nothing, the team takes over |
| Recovery and ward | Pain control, first sips, first walk | Breathe deeply, walk with help, pass urine |
Your hernia repair is planned and you want to know what the day looks like? The team can walk you through it.
The anaesthetist puts you fully to sleep, or numbs the lower body or the area. Keyhole and robotic repairs need you to be asleep.
A simple hernia repair usually takes about a hour. A large, recurrent or two-sided hernia takes longer. Your family is told when you reach the recovery room.
You wake in a recovery room, where a nurse watches you closely. Most people feel drowsy for a hour or two. Once you are awake you can sip water, then eat a light meal.
Within a few hours you sit up and walk with help. You can go home when you can walk, eat, pass urine and your pain is controlled with tablets. Some people stay one night. Someone should take you home and stay with you that first night.
Follow the fasting time your anaesthetist gives you. It is usually a few hours for food and less for clear water. Ask if you are unsure.
Most can be taken with a sip of water. Blood thinners and diabetes tablets often need changes, so follow the plan made before the day.
A simple hernia repair usually takes about a hour. Large, recurrent or two-sided hernias take longer. Your surgeon will give an estimate.
Usually one person can wait for you and see you after you wake up. Hospital rules differ, so ask the team beforehand.
Many people do, once they can walk, eat, pass urine and their pain is controlled. Some stay one night, depending on the hernia and health.
The main page on this site is robotic hernia surgery in Ahmedabad. These cover the neighbouring questions.
Where to find us
Dr Harsh Shah, MS, MCh (Surgical Gastroenterology), DrNB (Surgical Gastroenterology)
Shah's Gastro, Cancer & Robotic Surgery Centre
Apollo Hospital, Bhat, Gandhinagar
Gota OPD, Ahmedabad
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