After your Laparoscopic Hiatal Hernia Repair
Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Apr 6, 2025.
AMBULATORY CARE:
Laparoscopic hernia repair is surgery to repair a hiatal hernia.
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Call your local emergency number (911 in the US) if:
- You feel lightheaded, short of breath, and have chest pain.
- You cough up blood.
Seek care immediately if:
- Your arm or leg feels warm, tender, and painful. It may look swollen and red.
- Blood soaks through your bandage.
- You have pus or a foul-smelling odor coming from your incision.
- Your bowel movements are black, bloody, or tarry-looking.
- Your vomit looks like coffee grounds or has blood in it.
- You develop shortness of breath or you begin to wheeze.
Call your surgeon or doctor if:
- You have a fever above 101° F (or 100° F if you are older than 65 years).
- You develop a skin rash, hives, or itching.
- You have nausea, or you are vomiting.
- You have bloating or pain that does not improve.
- You have trouble swallowing that does not improve.
- You have heartburn symptoms.
- You have questions or concerns about your condition or care.
Medicines:
You may need any of the following:
- Prescription pain medicine may be given. Ask your healthcare provider how to take this medicine safely. Some prescription pain medicines contain acetaminophen. Do not take other medicines that contain acetaminophen without talking to your healthcare provider. Too much acetaminophen may cause liver damage. Prescription pain medicine may cause constipation. Ask your healthcare provider how to prevent or treat constipation.
- Medicine may be given to decrease or block stomach acid.
- Take your medicine as directed. Contact your healthcare provider if you think your medicine is not helping or if you have side effects. Tell your provider if you are allergic to any medicine. Keep a list of the medicines, vitamins, and herbs you take. Include the amounts, and when and why you take them. Bring the list or the pill bottles to follow-up visits. Carry your medicine list with you in case of an emergency.
Nutrition:
- Eat soft foods as directed. You may need to eat soft foods for up to 4 weeks after surgery. Examples of soft foods include mashed potatoes, pudding, custard, and milkshakes.
- Do not have food or drinks that produce gas. It may be hard for you to burp to release air in your stomach after this surgery. Do not have high-fat foods or carbonated drinks, such as sparkling water or soft drinks. Do not chew gum or drink liquid through a straw. Eat and drink slowly. Chew your food well.
Care for the surgery area as directed:
Carefully wash the area with soap and water. Dry the area and put on new, clean bandages as directed. Change your bandages when they get wet or dirty. If you have steristrips covering the surgery area, do not remove them. They will come off on their own. Do not get in a bathtub, swimming pool or, hot tub until your healthcare provider says it is okay.
Deep breathing:
Take deep breaths and cough 10 times each hour. This will decrease your risk for a lung infection. Take a deep breath and hold it for as long as you can. Let the air out and then cough strongly. Deep breaths help open your airway. You may be given an incentive spirometer to help you take deep breaths. Put the plastic piece in your mouth and take a slow, deep breath, then let the air out and cough. Repeat these steps 10 times every hour.
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Activity:
Do not drive for a week after your surgery. Do not lift heavy objects. Ask your healthcare provider when you can return to your daily activities.
Follow up with your surgeon or doctor as directed:
Write down your questions so you remember to ask them during your visits.
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The above information is an educational aid only. It is not intended as medical advice for individual conditions or treatments. Talk to your doctor, nurse or pharmacist before following any medical regimen to see if it is safe and effective for you.
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