Keyhole hernia surgery is also known as laparoscopic hernia repair. As it sounds, it uses small cuts and a camera to fix a hernia.
This means that instead of one large incision, your surgeon makes several tiny ones. The most significant advantage with this approach is the fact that it reduces scarring and often speeds up healing.
Follow this link to read more: https://drtansiongsan.com.sg/hernia/. Now even though hernia keyhole surgery reduces scarring and speeds up healing, for many people, the main worry is the recovery time.
Many people who visit our clinic for the procedure also frequently ask, “is keyhole hernia surgery painful?” or “Can you walk after hernia surgery?” These are all valid concerns.
So, we created this guide to address those major question. We hope this guide helps you understand what to expect to be able to plan your rest and return to daily life.
Is Keyhole Hernia Surgery Painful?
To begin with, during keyhole hernia surgery, your surgeon makes three to five small cuts, each under one centimetre long. They then proceed to insert a tiny camera called a laparoscope to view the hernia on a screen.
Through the other cuts, they guide instruments to push the bulging tissue back into place. Often, they fit a mesh patch to strengthen the weak spot in your abdominal wall.
You have general anaesthesia, so you sleep through the procedure. Because the cuts are small, you lose less blood and feel less trauma to surrounding tissues. So, is keyhole surgery painful?
The answer is no. Since you’re asleep through the procedure, you will not feel the pain. However, you might feel mild to moderate pain after the procedure. In the first two to three days, you may notice soreness around your cuts.
Compared with open repair, pain tends to be less intense because the cuts are smaller. You might also feel discomfort in your shoulder tip.
This discomfort tends to come from the gas doctors use to inflate your abdomen. Though odd, shoulder pain eases as the gas is absorbed.
Your surgeon will prescribe simple painkillers, like paracetamol or non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs to keep discomfort under control. You can step up to stronger pain relief if needed, but most patients manage well with over-the-counter options.
Can you Walk after Keyhole Hernia Surgery?
Another question you may want to ask about hernia keyhole surgery is; can you walk after the procedure? The answer is yes, you can walk on the same day as your keyhole hernia surgery.
In fact, gentle walking helps prevent blood clots and keeps your circulation moving. Even a short stroll down the ward corridor or around your home can make a significant difference.
Expect some stiffness and mild soreness in the groin or belly for the first day or two. That stiffness should ease each time you move, so take regular, brief walks.
Most people resume light household tasks like making tea or doing dishes within three to five days. However, you will want to avoid standing still for long periods at first, but gentle movement is good.
By the end of week one, you should feel confident walking a few hundred metres without extra pain. Fast walking or hills might still pinch, so stick to flat, easy routes until your body feels stronger.
That far, you’re probably now wondering; how long does it take to recover from a keyhole hernia operation? Recovery time for hernia keyhole surgery varies, but many patients follow a similar timeline:
- Day 1–3: You may feel soreness around your small cuts and slight bloating from gas. Stick to light walking around your home to boost blood flow. Rest when you feel tired, and take painkillers as directed. Keep your wounds clean and dry to prevent infection.
- Week 1: By day seven, most people handle light chores like cooking or simple office work. Pain should now be a low-level ache. Continue short walks, gradually increasing your distance. Avoid heavy lifting or straining.
- Week 2–3: If your job involves sitting at a desk, you can often return by the end of week two. You may still feel tightness when bending, so take regular breaks to stand and stretch. Check with your surgeon if you feel any sharp tugs near your mesh.
- Week 4–6: By week four, you should manage shopping, light gardening or gentle exercise like yoga. Listen to your body; if something hurts, ease back. Keep wounds protected until they heal fully, usually by week six.
- Week 6+: After six weeks, your abdominal wall is strong enough for heavy lifting, weight training and higher-impact sports. Always warm up and start with lighter loads. If you feel a pull or bulge, stop and rest.
To speed up recovery after hernia keyhole surgery, you will also want to take precautions to avoid any activities that may slow your healing process. The precautions may involve avoiding activities like;
- Heavy lifting and intense workouts for 4–6 weeks
- Driving in the first few days if pain affects focus
- Standing for long hours in the early phase
- Straining on the toilet
- Avoid smoking or alcohol consumption as they can derail your wound healing
As a general rule, always follow your doctor’s specific instructions. You do not want to do too much too soon as this can delay recovery and increase discomfort.
What Are the Signs That Healing is Not Going Well?
It is common for complications to occur after surgery. To ensure everything is going according to plan, you may need to keep an eye on signs that your healing could not be going well. Contact your provider if you get any of the sign below after your hernia keyhole surgery;
- Fever or chills: A temperature above 38 °C or shaking chills may mean infection. Post-surgical fever is normal for 24 hours, but if it persists beyond two days, call your surgeon. They may prescribe antibiotics or ask you to visit for a check.
- Increasing redness or swelling around cuts: Some redness is normal, but spreading redness or a hard, swollen area suggests a skin or wound infection. Look for yellow discharge or a foul smell. Early treatment reduces risks of deeper infection.
- Severe pain not easing with rest or medication: Pain should steadily lessen each day. If you find pain rising or not improving after ten days, inform your doctor. This could signal mesh irritation, nerve issues or even a recurrence.
- Trouble urinating: Difficulty passing urine, a weak stream or burning sensation can indicate urinary retention or infection. Seek medical help if you can’t pass urine or feel discomfort when you do. Timely intervention can help you prevent kidney stress.
- Nausea or vomiting: Persistent sickness beyond the first day may mean a reaction to pain relief, anaesthetic side effects or a bowel blockage. Contact your care team if you can’t keep down fluids or if you have continuous vomiting.
Closing Thoughts
Recovery time for hernia keyhole surgery varies, but most people feel noticeably better in one to two weeks. Keep in mind that that each body heals at its own pace. However, if you have clear expectations and good support, you can get back to the things you enjoy sooner and with confidence.
If you’re wondering if keyhole surgery is the right choice for your hernia, speak to our specialists about laparoscopic hernia repair and personalised recovery plans. To schedule a consultation, call or visit us at;
Tan Siong San Surgery
38 Irrawaddy Rd, #09-58 Mount Elizabeth Novena Specialist Centre,
Singapore 329563
Phone: +65 6970 8852
