Burning Pain After Hernia Surgery: What You Need to Know

If you are experiencing burning pain after hernia surgery, you are not alone. This is a common side effect that can occur after surgery. This blog post will discuss the causes of burning pain after surgery and what you can do to alleviate it. We will also provide tips for recovering from surgery and preventing further complications.

What is a hernia?
What causes hernias?
Symptoms of hernia
Why get a hernia surgery?
Why do you feel burning pain after surgery, and what could be causing it?
What can you do to alleviate burning pain after surgery?
How long should the pain last, and when should you seek medical help
Hernia Surgery FAQs

What is a hernia?

A hernia is an opening or weakness in the muscle wall that allows tissue to bulge through, like the bowel. Hernias can occur anywhere in the body but are most common in the abdomen. They can be caused by straining or coughing, obesity, and age. Hernias can also be congenital, meaning they are present at birth.

Types of hernia

Inguinal hernia – located in the groin and more common in men
Femoral hernia – located in the upper thigh near the groin
Ventral hernia – located in the midline abdomen
Incisional hernia – a hernia that appeared at the surgical site
Umbilical hernia – common in babies and located in the navel
Hiatal hernia – happens when a part of the stomach slips through an abnormal opening in the diaphragm
Congenital diaphragmatic hernia – occurs when a baby’s diaphragm does not develop correctly and a space forms for the stomach to come through.

What causes hernias?

Hernias develop as a result of a combination of muscular weakness and tension. A hernia can grow fast or slowly, depending on the cause.

The following are some frequent reasons for muscular weakness or strain that can contribute to a hernia:

A congenital disorder that arises during womb development and is present from birth
Aging
Injury or surgery-related damage
Hard workout or heavy weight lifting
Persistent cough or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
Pregnancy, particularly multiple pregnancies
Constipation causes straining when having a bowel movement.
Being obese or overweight
Ascites

Various risk factors increase your chances of developing a hernia. They are as follows:

Birthing early or with a low birth weight
Recurring cough (likely due to the repetitive increase in abdominal pressure)
Cystic fibrosis
Smoking, which causes connective tissues to deteriorate
a family history of hernia

Symptoms of hernia

Depending on the type of hernia, you may not have any symptoms, other than feelin pain after your surgery. A noticeable protrusion in the afflicted region is a frequent indicator of a hernia. Most symptoms described include sharp pain, pressure, coughing, heartburn, and difficulty swallowing. Symptoms of a severe hernia include shooting pain, vomiting, and constipation. Hernias can cause infection, blockage, or strangulation of your organs or tissue. Go to the emergency hospital if your hernia gets mushy or if you cannot push it in.

Why get a hernia surgery?

A hernia can often be repaired through surgery. Surgery is typically recommended if the hernia is causing pain, growing in size, or interfering with daily living activities. There are a few different types of hernia surgery:

Mesh Repair: This surgery involves using a synthetic mesh to reinforce the muscle wall. A small incision is made in the area, and the mesh is inserted. The mesh will help keep the tissue from bulging through the hole in the muscle.

Traditional Repair: In this surgery, the surgeon will make an incision and repair the muscle wall. Inguinal hernia surgery is a typical form of this approach.

Laparoscopic Surgery: This surgery is similar to the traditional repair because the surgeon makes an incision in the area and repairs the muscle wall. However, a laparoscope is inserted to make a smaller incision. The use of a laparoscope allows for less swelling and scarring following surgery.

Why do you feel burning pain after surgery, and what could be causing it?

Post-surgery hernia pain is a common symptom and can be caused by several things. Some of the most common causes include:

Infection: Infection is a common complication following surgery. For instance, hernia mesh complications may arise with signs of infection, including fever, redness and swelling around the surgical site, drainage from the wound, and pain that worsens over time. If you experience any of these symptoms, contact your doctor immediately.

Nerve Damage: Surgery can cause damage to the nerves in the area. This damage can make the pain worse and result in tingling and numbness.

Scarring: The formation of scars is a common side effect of surgery. Scars can cause burning pain when they rub against clothing or when they are touched.

Swelling: Your body may experience temporary swelling following surgery. If the amount of swelling is significant, it can press on nerves in the area and cause pain.

Bleeding: Burning pain after hernia surgery may indicate that you are experiencing bleeding at the site. Even small amounts of bleeding can cause burning pain. You could also be experiencing nerve damage if you feel the pain in your belly rather than at the surgical site.

What can you do to alleviate burning pain after surgery?

Take pain medicine: You can take ibuprofen, a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID), or oral pain medications that can help reduce swelling and relieve nerve pain after your hernia repair. It also helps with blood loss and can be taken to reduce bleeding.

Wear Loose Clothes: Tight clothing can rub against your surgical site and worsen post-operative pain. Wearing loose, breathable clothing will make movement easier and reduce discomfort.

Apply Ice: When there is swelling in or around the surgical site, hernia patients claim that applying ice can help relieve pain and heal. For best results, ice the area for 20 minutes every four hours.

Elevate Your Legs: Preventing blood clotting can help with swelling and pain relief. Elevating your legs above your heart when you are resting or sleeping after surgery is recommended.

Keep Moist Heat On The Area: After surgery, heat applied to the surgical site can help reduce pain and speed up the healing process. you can use heating pads, hot water bottles, or warm towels for this purpose.

Get Plenty of Rest: Burning pain is often more severe when being active. It is a good idea to get plenty of rest during your recovery period to don’t accidentally overdo it.

Avoid Tight Clothing: Certain types of clothing should be avoided after surgery because they can put pressure on the surgical site. This includes tight underwear, bras, and waistbands. To keep your sensitive areas comfortable during recovery, wear loose-fitting panties or shorts as well as oversized briefs or boxers.

Watch your Diet: Burning pain is often worse when you eat, so it may be beneficial to stick to a liquid diet until your bowel function returns.

Regulate Activity Levels: Try to avoid activities that cause stress on the surgical site for at least four weeks after surgery. This includes lifting and strenuous activities such as jogging and jumping.

Consider Other Procedures: Some doctors may recommend nerve ablation or peripheral nerve field stimulation if your significant pain does not seem to lessen using these conservative steps.

How long should the pain last and when should you seek medical help?

Burning pain after surgery can last from a few days to several weeks. Sometimes, oral pain relievers can do the trick. But if the severe pain persists for more than four weeks, or if it becomes worse over time, you should seek medical help.

FAQs About Hernia Surgery

Can a hernia be cured without surgery?

In some cases, a hernia can be cured without surgery by using special belts or braces to keep the organ in place. However, surgery is often needed to permanently fix the problem.

What are the risks associated with surgery?

Risks of surgery can include bleeding, infection, blood clots, and reactions to anesthesia. Burning pain is also a possible side effect after hernia surgery. However, these symptoms usually resolve on their own.

What are some common myths about surgery?

Myth: Surgery will leave an ugly scar on your abdomen.

Reality: Most surgery leaves no external scar tissue.

Myth: Surgery will make you feel sick or nauseous.

Reality: The side effects of surgery are usually temporary, and symptoms like nausea can be controlled using medication after surgery.

Myth: Surgery is difficult to recover from and takes a long time.

Reality: Most patients can return to work within one or two weeks of surgery.

If you’re experiencing pain after hernia surgery and don’t know where to turn, we encourage you to visit our website for more information. You’ll find a comprehensive list of resources that can help alleviate your suffering in the form of educational articles on topics like post-operative care instructions or even how to cope with chronic pain. We hope this blog has been helpful in some way!