Surgery is expensive and the benefit it offers comes with risks and potential complications. Traditionally, surgeons focused on the procedure itself and much less attention has been given to the question of who is fit for an operation and can benefit from it to the maximum possible degree with the less possible risk.
Patients with excessive weight, active substance abuse, or poorly controlled diabetes have markedly higher rates of complications and hernia recurrence, In fact, these factors are even considered relative contraindications to hernia surgery. Data suggest that delaying surgery and losing weight/ cutting down on smoking/ controlling diabetes better/ exercising preoperatively can reduce surgical complication rates by as much as 40%.
That means less chance of your hernia coming back, less chance of staying in hospital more than you need and less chance of having to come back for a problem related to your operation. You can find below, links related to weight loss, exercise and smoking cessation. This is advice formulated by NHS experts and all patients can benefit from them. Your GP and your surgeon can guide you as well. You will also find advice, should your operation go ahead, about the day leading to your operation.
Diet
See the NHS Inform 12 week weight management programme
Exercise
Click the links below to see some exercises that are useful for patients undergoing complex hernia surgery:
Strength and balance exercises
Smoking Cessation
See the NHS Inform smoking cessation website
The day before your operation
Washing
The night before your surgery, you can shower using a 4% CHG solution antiseptic skin cleanser (like Hibiscrub) (unless you are allergic to this substance or any of its other ingredients in which case use your normal shower gel).
Please follow these directions:
- Use your normal shampoo to wash your hair. Rinse your head well. Use your normal soap to wash your face and genital area. Rinse your body well with warm water
- Open the 4% CHG solution bottle. Pour some into your hand or a clean washcloth. Move away from the shower stream. Rub the 4% CHG solution gently over your body from your neck to your feet. Don’t put it on your face or genital area
- Move back into the shower stream to rinse off the 4% CHG solution. Use warm water
- Dry yourself off with a clean towel after your shower
- Don’t put on any lotion, cream, deodorant, makeup, powder, perfume, or cologne after your shower
- If you’re menstruating (have your monthly period), use a sanitary pad, not a tampon
Sleep
Go to bed early and try to get a full night’s sleep!
Medications
Take your medications as instructed If the preoperative assesment team told you to take certain medications the morning of your surgery, take only those medications with a sip of water. Depending on what medications you take, this may be all, some, or none of your usual morning medications.
