Abdominal surgery to treat hernias is complicated to recover from because it is an area where most of the efforts we usually make are concentrated, and the main recommendation after surgery is that we should avoid exertion.
However, physiotherapy can help us both in the period prior to surgery and in the postoperative period.
How to recover from abdominal surgery?
On the one hand, pre-surgical physiotherapy will help us to carry out an assessment and prepare the anatomical structures in order to improve and speed up the post-operative period.
Thus, pre-operative physiotherapy focuses on strengthening and improving mobility.
On the other hand, physiotherapy plays a very important role after surgery for different reasons, as it helps to reduce pain and drain oedema, as well as in the scar area it eliminates possible adhesions and keloids.
At the same time, it will help to recover both joint and muscle balance, as well as maximum functional capacity.
Apart from the basic care after an operation, what should we bear in mind?
We must bear in mind that we cannot carry out our usual activities in the same way.
For example, we must be very careful when getting out of bed, so our physiotherapist will show us how to do it properly.
First of all, we must turn on our side and bend our knees until our legs are hanging over the side of the bed.
Then, with the help of your arms, lift your upper body, sitting on the edge of the bed and push yourself forward with your arms to get up.
Another natural activity that is affected by the operation is defecation. For this reason, a soft diet should be followed for the first week after surgery, gradually reintroducing a normal diet. It would be ideal to eat a diet rich in fibre and drink plenty of water to avoid constipation, since straining will not only hurt the surgical area, but may also worsen the action itself.
In case of coughing, we should put our hand on the wound and press lightly, and also protect the wound from sun exposure.
As for the wound, we must be aware that it must not remain moist. Avoid submerging the wound, bathing or swimming for at least the first week.
Do you have any more doubts about abdominal hernia surgery? Don’t hesitate and consult our professionals.
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