Inguinal Hernia Surgery Recovery: My Experience With Chronic Post-Surgery Pain

In April 2025, I underwent surgery for both an inguinal hernia done laparoscopic method and an umbilical hernia done open method. Like many people, I assumed the surgery itself

would be the main challenge—and that recovery would follow a predictable timeline.

I was wrong.

This article focuses primarily on my inguinal hernia surgery recovery, the persistent pain that followed, and what I learned about chronic nerve pain after hernia repair, exercise selection, and the uncomfortable gaps in post-operative care.

Standard Post-Operative Advice After Inguinal Hernia Surgery

After surgery, my surgeon gave what appears to be standard recovery guidance:

• First 6 weeks: No lifting over 10 kg

• After 6 weeks: Gradually return to light exercise

I followed these recommendations. I rested. I avoided heavy lifting. I waited the full six weeks before reintroducing training.

At the time, I believed I was doing everything “right.”

Pain After Returning to Exercise

When I returned to training, I immediately noticed pain around the inguinal hernia repair site.

At first, I assumed this was normal post-surgical discomfort. So I reduced intensity even further—lighter exercises, fewer sets, more rest. Still, the pain continued.

The pattern was inconsistent:

• Sometimes the pain appeared immediately after exercise

• Sometimes later the same day

• Sometimes the next day

There was some improvement over time, but it was minimal and unreliable.

I contacted the surgeon’s office multiple times. Each time, the response was similar:

“Take it easy and give it more time.”

So I did.

Weeks passed. Then months.

Searching Online for Answers About Inguinal Hernia Recovery

Like many people dealing with ongoing pain, I started researching extensively:

• Inguinal hernia surgery recovery timelines

• Post-operative exercise recommendations

• Healing duration after mesh repair

• Chronic pain after hernia surgery

One thing became very clear very quickly:

There is no real consensus.

Most surgeons and reviews cite 6–8 weeks as a general benchmark for returning to gym activity after laparoscopic or mesh repairs. But beyond that, recommendations vary widely—and often contradict each other.

The deeper I searched, the more frustrated I became. The information was vague, inconsistent, and often dismissive of persistent pain.

Nine Months Post-Surgery: A New Diagnosis

After nine months of ongoing pain and little improvement, I scheduled another appointment with the surgeon.

After further evaluation, the diagnosis changed significantly:

The pain was believed to be caused by nerve compression related to the inguinal hernia repair—possibly due to direct nerve injury, nerve irritation, or tension on sensory nerves following surgical manipulation.

The proposed solution was a corticosteroid injection, with the possibility of additional injections later.

I declined—for the moment. I wanted to understand the root problem before masking the symptoms.

Chronic Nerve Pain After Inguinal Hernia Surgery

During my research, I learned that chronic pain after inguinal hernia repair is far more common than most patients are told.

Studies estimate that 10–12% of patients experience persistent pain after surgery, with some research suggesting even higher rates, the incidence has been reported as high as 63%.

Nerves Commonly Affected in Inguinal Hernia Repair

Several sensory nerves pass through the groin and can be affected during surgery:

• Ilioinguinal nerve – sensation to the upper inner thigh and genital region

• Iliohypogastric nerve – lower abdomen and upper outer thigh

• Genitofemoral nerve – branches supplying the scrotum or labia majora and upper thigh

Damage, irritation, or entrapment of any of these nerves can result in burning, sharp, or shooting pain that persists long after surgical healing.

Causes of Post-Hernia Nerve Pain

Potential causes include:

• Direct nerve trauma during surgery

• Mesh-related nerve irritation or compression

• Scar tissue entrapping nerves

• Neuroma formation at the injury site

Treatment Options for Chronic Inguinal Neuralgia

Common approaches include:

• Ultrasound-guided nerve blocks (diagnostic and therapeutic)

• Steroid injections

• Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) to disrupt pain signals

• Surgical neurectomy (nerve removal, usually a last resort)

• Peripheral nerve stimulation (PNS), a minimally invasive and reversible option

The Training Mistake That Was Never Discussed

While researching nerve-related pain, I realized something critical:

My exercise selection—even though it was “light”—was likely aggravating the problem.

My training is primarily calisthenics-based, including:

• Bodyweight squats

• Walking lunges

• Cossack squats

• Tuck planche holds

• Stretching and mobility work

Many of these movements place significant tension on the groin, hip flexors, and lower abdominal region—exactly where irritated nerves are most vulnerable.

And here’s the most frustrating part:

Not once did anyone ask me how I train.

• Not before surgery

• Not during recovery

• Not when I reported pain

• Not even nine months later

This feels like a serious blind spot in the healthcare system.

Lessons Learned From My Inguinal Hernia Surgery

1. “Light exercise” is not a universal concept

   What feels light muscularly may still heavily load nerves and connective tissue.

   
   

2. Persistent pain is not always a healing issue

   In many cases, it’s a nerve issue—not a strength or patience issue.

   
   

3. Standard recovery timelines are averages, not guarantees

   Six to eight weeks may work for many, but not for everyone.

   
   

4. Patients are rarely educated about nerve-related complications

   Despite being relatively common, chronic nerve pain is often barely mentioned.

   
   

5. You must advocate for yourself

   If something feels wrong, it probably deserves deeper investigation.

What I Would Do Differently

If I could go back, here’s what I would change:

• Ask detailed questions about nerve risks before surgery

• Discuss my specific training style with the surgeon

• Avoid groin-intensive movements much longer post-surgery

• Seek a nerve-aware physical therapist earlier

• Push sooner for diagnostic clarity instead of “waiting it out”

Recovery should not be passive. It should be informed and individualized.

Final Thoughts on Inguinal Hernia Surgery Recovery

This article is not meant to discourage anyone from having hernia surgery. Many people recover fully and quickly.

But for those who don’t—for those dealing with chronic pain after inguinal hernia repair—I hope this experience helps you recognize that you’re not alone, and that your pain deserves to be taken seriously.

I have now completely restructured my training approach to reduce groin and nerve stress. Whether this resolves the issue remains to be seen.

If not, my next step will be identifying the specific nerve—or nerves—responsible and exploring targeted interventions.

This is my story of inguinal hernia surgery recovery.And for me, the real journey began long after the stitches healed.