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
It is worrying to find you have a temperature a day or two after a hernia repair. Many people fear the mesh is infected.
Most of the time it is something much simpler. This page explains what a fever after hernia surgery usually means, and how its timing helps tell the difference.
Any operation, even a small one, makes the body react. Healing tissue releases signals that can raise the temperature a little. This is not an infection.
It usually settles within a day with rest, fluids, walking and deep breaths. It is one reason the team checks your temperature before you go home.
Fever after hernia surgery by timing
| When it starts | Usual cause | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| First day | The body's normal reaction to surgery | Rest, fluids, deep breaths, walk |
| Day 2 to 3 | Chest not fully expanding, or a urine infection | Call your surgeon for advice |
| Day 3 to 7 | Wound infection | Call and get the wound seen |
| Weeks later, with a red wound | Deep or mesh infection, which is rare | See your surgeon soon |
| Any time, with vomiting or a swollen belly | A problem inside the belly | Go to hospital now |
Running a temperature after your hernia repair and not sure if it matters? Speak to the surgical team.
A mesh infection is rare. It usually shows as a red, painful, swollen wound, sometimes weeks after the operation.
Call your surgeon for a high fever, shivering, a fever that keeps coming back, or any of the signs above. Go to a hospital at once if a fever comes with vomiting, a swollen belly, severe pain or breathlessness.
Early checks are simple. A wound or urine infection found early is usually treated without any change to the repair.
Often, yes. The body reacts to any operation, and a slight temperature on the first day usually settles with rest, fluids and deep breaths.
Call if the temperature is high, keeps coming back, or comes with shivering, a red wound, a cough or burning urine.
Rarely. A mesh infection usually shows as a red, swollen, painful wound or a discharge, sometimes weeks later. Your surgeon will check.
Take the painkiller or fever tablet your surgeon prescribed, at the dose advised. Still call if the fever returns or you feel unwell.
Walk early, breathe deeply, drink enough fluids, keep the wound clean and dry, and keep blood sugar under control if you have diabetes.
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
Bring your reports. Second opinions are welcome.
Swasth Parivar: twice a month, practical advice on recovery, diet and warning signs. No advertising. Stop any time.
Your number is used for these updates and for the clinic to reach you. It is never sold or passed on. To stop, reply STOP on WhatsApp.