Hernia surgery is quite stressful to the body. In some cases, you may be able to leave the hospital within a day or two of surgery. In more complicated cases, it will take a four- or five-day hospital stay before you are allowed to go home. The most important thing you can do after surgery is rest, and then after about four weeks, you can start doing light exercise. With hernia surgery, you are much better off erring on the side of doing too little exercise than too much. When you do start exercising, there are some specific exercises you can do to aid in your recovery from the hernia repair.
Sit-Ups
You will not start these until at least four weeks after surgery and you will not do them until you get approval from your surgeon. Lie down on the floor and put your hands behind your head. Lift your head up about 10 to 12 inches and then lower it slowly. Make sure you breathe throughout the exercise and do not hold your breath. Do 15 sit-ups and then stop. Once you can do 15 sit-ups without pain or significant effort, take a 30-second break and then repeat the set.
Walking
You can do this in your neighborhood or your can go to the local high school or college and walk on the running track. Walk about 1/2 mile to start with at a brisk pace. Do not start this exercise until at least four weeks after surgery and make sure you have your doctor's approval. Stop if you feel pain.
Curls On Exercise Ball
Sit on an exercise ball and find your balance point. Take hold of two 2-lb. weights and hold them in both hands. Curl them up to your shoulders and then return them to the original position. Do this 10 times, take a 30-second break, and then repeat the set. Make sure you start out with a very low weight so as not to tax your body. Do not do this until at least four weeks after surgery. Stop if you feel pain.
