According to information from the American College of Surgeons, a hernia occurs where a hole opens in the lining of the abdominal wall, allowing a small portion of the digestive tract to seep through. An umbilical hernia is simply a type of hernia that occurs near the umbilicus (belly button or navel). Because all hernias necessitate surgical repair to eliminate the problem, it would behoove you to understand accelerate the recovery procedure.
Instructions
1. Follow your doctor's express instructions for staying off your feet and avoiding strenuous activities after umbilical hernia surgery. Although the surgery itself is on an outpatient basis, recovery can take several weeks. During this time, you should avoid doing anything to aggravate the affected area---this can include climbing stairs, driving, and all types of exercise. Because recovery can take 1 to 6 weeks, do not assume that you are fully recovered and return to your normal activities without the express consent of your doctor.
2. Elect to undergo tension-free mesh repair where possible to minimize your recovery time. Tension-free mesh surgery avoids pulling the abdominal muscles back into place during surgery, instead electing to cover the hole with a small piece of man-made mesh. This option, in turn, results in less damage and strain to the surrounding muscle tissue, improving recovery time.
3. Follow a proper diet after surgery to minimize recovery time. This means consuming a diet that is rich in antioxidants (from fresh fruits and vegetables), along with giving the body a sufficient supply of protein to repair the damaged tissue. Generally speaking, aim to consume both a fruit and a vegetable with each meal, alternating between different types to avoid saturating your body with any one vitamin. Additionally, consume a serving of lean protein from a meat or low-fat dairy source with each meal to ensure that your system has the building blocks it needs to properly recover from umbilical hernia surgery.
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