Almost every hernia patient asks the same question once they're home: 'this twinge — is it normal?' This guide walks through expected pain by day and week, the red flags that need urgent attention, and a sensible pain-management plan.
Normal day-by-day pain (laparoscopic)
- •Day 0–2: moderate ache at port sites + shoulder tip pain from gas (resolves with walking)
- •Day 3–5: gradually settling, often more from bruising than from inside
- •Week 1: discomfort with coughing, sneezing, getting out of bed
- •Week 2: occasional twinges only
- •Week 3+: usually no significant pain
Normal day-by-day pain (open Lichtenstein)
- •Day 0–4: moderate to brisk pain at the wound, helped by regular paracetamol + NSAID
- •Day 5–10: settling discomfort, especially on getting up
- •Week 2–4: occasional sharp twinges as nerves regrow — normal
- •3 months: 90% of patients have no pain
Effective pain-management plan
- •Paracetamol 1 g four times daily for 5 days
- •Ibuprofen 400 mg three times daily with food for 3–5 days (if no contraindications)
- •Tramadol or codeine for breakthrough pain — limit to 3 days
- •Walking 4–6 times a day reduces stiffness pain
- •Cold pack 15 minutes 3× daily for 48 hours reduces bruising and pain
Red flags — call us same day
- •Fever > 38 °C
- •Spreading redness around the wound
- •Pus or foul-smelling discharge
- •Sudden severe pain — especially with a new lump
- •Calf swelling or chest pain (clot warning)
- •Persistent vomiting or inability to pass urine
Chronic pain (after 3 months)
3–5% of patients have some chronic post-hernia pain. Causes include nerve entrapment, mesh-related inflammation and persistent recurrent micro-tears. Treatment is stepwise: physiotherapy, nerve blocks, neuropathic medication and very rarely revision surgery.
Frequently Asked Questions
Related Topics
pain after hernia surgery
hernia post op pain
swelling after hernia repair
Dr Vanesha Varik
Medcare hernia recovery