Social Activities

Social activity should be limited while the patient is uncomfortable. A good general rule of thumb is that patients should avoid any physical activity that causes discomfort. There is no set time table for resuming strenuous activity – just avoid activities that cause discomfort – but as a general rule of thumb for most patients, it takes approximately six weeks for the muscle repair to heal to a point where strenuous activity does not cause discomfort. Basically, most patients find that they can return to normal activity as the discomfort of the operation fades away. Office work can usually be resumed within 1-2 weeks of surgery, but the patient should expect a six-week delay before returning to physical labor or strenuous exercise. It will take longer than a year for scars to fade and the abdomen to feel relatively normal. The lower abdominal skin may feel numb forever and completely normal feeling is not to be expected.