Do not take any alternative/herbal medicine during the last two weeks before the surgery.

Hair in the surgical area must be removed before your surgery. The hair on both thighs must be removed, both on the front and back because surgical equipment will be attached there. Keep in mind to remove the hair from 5 centimeters below your pubic hair.

The hair removal must be done 1 week before your scheduled surgery using a hair trimmer or the like.

• You must not use a razor when removing the hair, and we do not expect a clean-shaven surgical area.
• If you do not have a hair trimmer or there is less than 1 week until your surgery from your preliminary examination, the hair removal can be done in the ward when you show up to your scheduled surgery.

It is very important that the umbilicus is clean as the surgery is performed close to it.

On the day of the surgery you must be fasting and thirsting as agreed upon with the Anaesthesiology Outpatient Clinic – see the materials provided from there.

When you arrive for your scheduled surgery you must scan your social security card at the stand and take a seat in the waiting area. The staff will get you organized and ready for the surgery.

As waiting time may occur from the reporting time to the surgery, it may be a good idea to bring reading material or the like.

The surgery will usually be performed under local anaesthesia combined with tranquillizers/analgesics given by the anaesthetic personnel. Sometimes the procedure can also be performed under general anaesthesia.

The hernia is identified and the weak area will be stitched up with non-absorbable stitches. Usually we put a mesh on the top to reinforce.

The incision in the skin is stitched up with soluble stitches.

At any kind of surgery bleeding and infection can occur (<1-3%). After having a hernia surgery, regardless which type, there will always be a risk that the hernia can reoccur – but the risk is reduced by using net.

There is 8-10% risk of having chronic pain and discomfort in varying degrees.

It is important that you get out of bed after the surgery, and that you are fully ambulant, in order to avoid complications such as thromboses in legs and lungs and pneumonia. This is done through cooperation between you and the staff. We recommend you stay active during your hospitalisation and when you come home.

In the following period there will be no restrictions on lifting, unless the surgeon has informed you otherwise.

You should expect to be on a sick leave for at least 10-14 days after you are discharged, but you may go to work earlier if you feel well.

You may remove your bandages and steri-strips 8-10 days after the surgery.

Sometimes a PICO-plaster is used instead of steri-strips. If that is the case for you, then you may remove the plaster 7 days after the surgery.

You are welcome to give The Surgical Ward a call if you have issues or questions during the first 24 hours after you are discharged. Afterward you have to contact your general practitioner.