Hernia Repair / Hydrocele Repair

WHILE YOU ARE STILL IN THE HOSPITAL

• Following surgery, your child will be encouraged to drink clear liquids when he is fully awake.
• He will be discharged home from the hospital when he is tolerating the fluids without vomiting. Nausea and vomiting are common after anesthesia and can last for 24 hours after surgery.
• Do not worry if you see a little blood spotting thorough the dressing or on the scrotum.

UPON YOUR ARRIVAL HOME

Dressing

• The small bandage strips (and oftentimes a clear plastic bandage) covering the wound will peel off with time or will be removed at the follow up visit.
• Once they have fallen off, there is no need to cover the wound with a new bandage. The incision line can be hard to the touch and will bulge at different times, this is normal.
• Do not worry if you see a little blood spotting through the bandage and at the scrotum over the next several days.

Diet

• You may feed your child juices, Jello and clear broth for the first post-operative day/evening.
• A regular diet may be resumed the next morning or earlier if tolerated.
• Do not force feed, especially if your child is nauseous. His appetite will return to normal with time.

Medications

• You may five your child Tylenol (acetaminophen) for pain or discomfort.
• For severe pain you doctor may have prescribed Tylenol with Codeine – use as directed.

Fever

• If your child has a temperature below 102 F give Tylenol as directed.
• For a temperature of 102 F or higher give Tylenol and please notify the doctor.
• The most common causes of post-operative fever are colds or ear infections.

Bathing

• Sponge bathe your child for the first 48 hours unless other wise directed by your doctor.
• Quick 5 minute showers/baths can be restarted after 48 hours and continue until the first post-operative visit. The bandage may get wet.

Activities

• Avoid any vigorous activity including straddling toys, bicycle riding, or wrestling with siblings or friends. Do not carry a small child on your hips.
• Your child may walk up and down stairs and ride in the car with all straps of the infant/child safety seat in place.
• If your child is school-age, he should be out from gym for 3-4 weeks.

Post-Operative office visits

In case of emergency