Your child is now ready to go home after surgery to repair an inguinal hernia. The surgeon repaired the hernia and closed the opening with stitches. Here's what to do at home to help your child heal quickly and avoid problems.

Pain Medicines

• Your child may have mild pain for a few days. 
• If your surgeon didn't prescribe a pain medicine, use these medicines exactly as directed:
  • acetaminophen (such as Tylenol® or a store brand)
  OR 
  • ibuprofen (such as Advil®, Motrin®, or a store brand). Do not give ibuprofen to babies under 6 months old. 
• If your surgeon prescribed pain medicine, give it as directed. Don't give your child acetaminophen (such as Tylenol® or a store brand) or ibuprofen (such as Advil®, Motrin®, or a store brand) with prescription pain medicines without asking your health care professional or pharmacist first.

Eating and Drinking

• Your child may not be hungry at first. Start by giving clear liquids like broth, gelatin, and watered-down juice. When your child is taking clear liquids well, slowly start giving their regular foods.
• After surgery, some kids get constipated (have trouble pooping). To avoid constipation:
  • Offer plenty of liquids (such as water and prune, pear, and apple juice).
  • Offer high-fiber fruits and vegetables (such as pears, strawberries, and sweet potatoes).
  • Avoid cheese, bananas, and white rice.

Surgery Area Care

• Dress your child in loose-fitting, soft clothes until the surgery area is healed.
• Keep the area clean and dry. 
• Don't soak the surgery area. Your child should have a sponge bath for the next day or two rather than a tub bath or shower. The surgeon will let you know when it is OK for your child to swim.
• Your child may have some swelling and bruising near the surgery area. Boys may have swelling of the scrotum. Apply cool compresses to the area to reduce swelling. Try a cloth dipped in cold water. You also can use a freezer pack or a bag of ice or frozen peas, but wrap these in a towel to protect the skin.
• Remove the surgical dressing (bandage) as directed.
• Allow tape strips or medical glue to fall off on their own. This usually takes 7–10 days.
• A small amount of pink or bloody drainage is OK. But if the bandage is soaked with blood, apply pressure and call the surgeon.
• Watch for signs of infection such as redness, increased swelling, or yellow or green pus from the surgical wound.

Return to School and Activities

• Slowly increase your child's activity level. Start with calm activities (taking walks, reading, playing board games).
• Your child may return to school or child care when feeling well, usually within a few days. Your child should not carry schoolbooks or a heavy bag to school until your surgeon says it's OK.
• Your child should not climb, play sports, or lift objects heavier than 10 pounds (about the weight of a gallon of milk) until your surgeon says it's OK.
• Your child should not ride a bicycle or use a riding or straddle toy until your surgeon says it's OK.
• Make a follow-up appointment with your surgeon as recommended.

Your child:

• has severe pain or is very cranky or irritable
• has pain that isn't getting better
• has bleeding, swelling, or drainage from the surgery area
• has a swollen belly
• throws up
• hasn't peed within 8–12 hours after surgery
• is not drinking or eating normally in 5–7 days
• doesn't poop in 2–3 days after surgery
• has redness that spreads around the surgery area
• has a fever of 101.5°F (38.6°C) or higher

Your child:

• throws up (vomits) more than once or twice
• has green or bloody vomit
• is hard to wake up

Do the stitches need to be removed? No. The stitches will dissolve on their own. 

Will my child have a scar? There will be a small scar. It will become softer and fade over the next year.

Will the hernia come back? It's possible for the hernia to come back, but it's not likely. Talk to the surgeon about how likely this may be for your child. If you notice a bulge forming again, make an appointment with your surgeon.