Most people go home the same day after inguinal hernia surgery, and the hard part is the first week. Expect soreness at the incision and bruising or swelling that can spread into the scrotum and the base of the penis. The NHS says that’s normal for a couple of weeks. Ice the area 15 to 20 minutes at a time for the first few days, wear an athletic supporter or snug briefs if your scrotum swells, and don’t lift more than 10 pounds for 4 to 6 weeks unless your surgeon says otherwise.
The short version
- Bruising and swelling around the wound or genitals is normal for a couple of weeks after inguinal hernia repair (NHS).
- Use a cold pack for 15 to 20 minutes at a time in the first few days, wrapped in a towel (MedlinePlus).
- If your scrotum or testicles swell or hurt, MedlinePlus suggests an athletic supporter.
- No lifting over 10 pounds for 4 to 6 weeks, or until your surgeon clears you.
- Call your surgeon if testicle swelling or pain gets worse instead of better.
Why does the scrotum swell after hernia surgery?
An inguinal hernia happens when tissue pushes through a weak spot in the lower belly wall, sometimes far enough to drop into the scrotum (Mayo Clinic). The repair happens in the groin, right along the path of the spermatic cord, the bundle of blood vessels, nerves and the vas deferens that runs down to each testicle.
Surgery there leaves blood and fluid in the tissue, and gravity takes some of it downhill. That’s why bruising can turn up in the scrotum or at the base of the penis even though nobody operated there. The NHS lists bruising or swelling around the wound or genitals for a couple of weeks as a normal part of recovery. It also notes that a large, painful bruise in the groin or genitals can occasionally take a few months to clear (NHS: Inguinal hernia repair recovery).
It looks dramatic. Usually it isn’t. What matters is which way it’s heading: swelling that settles over a few days is normal, and swelling that keeps growing is a reason to call your surgeon.
How should you ice after hernia surgery?
MedlinePlus, the National Library of Medicine’s patient site, says to put a cold compress on the incision for 15 to 20 minutes at a time during the first few days, wrapped in a towel so the cold doesn’t injure your skin (MedlinePlus: Inguinal hernia repair discharge).
After hernia surgery there can be two places that want ice. The first is the incision: one cut in the groin for an open repair, or a few small cuts in the belly for a laparoscopic or robotic one. A flat gel pack or a bag of frozen peas wrapped in a thin towel works fine there.
The second is the scrotum, if it swells. A flat pack struggles here because it sits on top instead of underneath. A pack shaped for the scrotum and held in a recovery pouch stays where you put it.
A few habits keep icing safe:
- Keep fabric between the pack and your skin every time.
- Stop at 20 minutes, then take at least 20 minutes off. Our frostbite warning explains why the scrotum chills faster than you’d expect.
- Don’t ice while you sleep.
- If you’re icing the scrotum, aim the pack under and around it rather than on top of the penis.
Your surgeon may give you a different schedule. Theirs wins.
Does support underwear help after hernia surgery?
It helps if your scrotum swells or aches. MedlinePlus says men may want to wear an athletic supporter if they have swelling or pain in the scrotum or testicles after the repair. Support keeps the testicles from swinging and tugging on sore tissue every time you stand up or walk, and that tugging is a big part of why the first week hurts.
A jockstrap holds things higher and tighter, which helps in the first few days if the swelling is noticeable. Snug briefs are easier to wear all day and to sleep in. Our jockstrap vs. briefs comparison goes deeper, but whatever surgery you had, the better choice is the one you’ll keep wearing.
Support underwear is not a hernia truss. A truss presses on a hernia that hasn’t been repaired yet, and Mayo Clinic says a health professional should make sure it fits (Mayo Clinic: Inguinal hernia). After the repair, the stitches and mesh do the structural work. Recovery underwear only keeps the area still and gives an ice pack somewhere to sit.
We designed our recovery jockstrap for vasectomy recovery, but a few customers have used it after hernia surgery or while living with a hernia. If you’re thinking about it, ask your surgeon whether they’d rather you wear something specific.
How long does hernia surgery recovery take?
It depends on the type of repair and how physical your work is. The table pulls together what the NHS and MedlinePlus say.
| Milestone | Typical timing (source) |
|---|---|
| Walking | Encouraged right away, building up slowly (NHS) |
| Bruising and swelling around the genitals | A couple of weeks (NHS) |
| Lifting more than 10 pounds | Wait 4 to 6 weeks, or until your surgeon clears you (MedlinePlus) |
| Heavy lifting and strenuous exercise | At least 4 to 6 weeks (NHS) |
| Time off work | Usually at least 1 to 2 weeks (NHS) |
| Jobs with heavy lifting | Up to 6 weeks off (NHS) |
| Baths, hot tubs and swimming | Avoid for the first week (MedlinePlus) |
| Driving | Not while taking opioid pain medicine; check with your surgeon (MedlinePlus) |
| Sex | When you feel ready (MedlinePlus) |
Keyhole (laparoscopic or robotic) repair may mean less discomfort and a quicker return to normal activity than open surgery, and Mayo Clinic says long-term results are about the same. Either way, it may be a few weeks before you’re back to your usual activity level (Mayo Clinic: Inguinal hernia). After keyhole surgery, the NHS says you may also have bloating or shoulder pain for a couple of days.
You’ll also learn how many everyday movements use your abdominal muscles. Sneezing becomes an event.
What should you do if the swelling gets worse?
Some swelling in the first few days is expected. Swelling that keeps growing after that, or testicle pain that gets worse instead of better, is a reason to call your surgeon. MedlinePlus lists worsening testicular swelling or pain as one of the reasons to call.
While you wait to hear back:
- Lie down with your scrotum resting on a folded towel. Mayo Clinic suggests this for testicle pain in general (Mayo Clinic: Testicle pain).
- Keep the support on.
- Keep icing on the 20-minutes-on, 20-minutes-off rhythm.
Constipation makes all of this worse, because straining pushes on the repair. Pain medicine can cause constipation. MedlinePlus suggests high-fiber food, plenty of water and an over-the-counter fiber product if you need one.
When should you call your doctor?
MedlinePlus says to call your surgeon if you have:
- Severe pain or soreness
- Bleeding from an incision, or an incision that feels warm, looks red or drains thick, yellow, green or pus-like fluid
- Chills or a fever of 101°F (38.3°C) or higher
- Trouble urinating
- Testicle swelling or pain that is getting worse
- Trouble breathing, or lightheadedness that lasts more than a few days
- Constipation or diarrhea that won’t go away
Sudden, severe testicle pain at any point needs care right away. Mayo Clinic notes that it can mean the testicle has lost its blood supply (Mayo Clinic: Testicle pain). And the NHS says severe trouble breathing or chest pain after surgery is an emergency.
FAQ
Is it normal for your testicles to swell after hernia surgery? Yes. The NHS says bruising or swelling around the wound or genitals is normal for a couple of weeks after inguinal hernia repair. Call your surgeon if the swelling or testicle pain keeps getting worse instead of better.
How long does scrotal swelling last after hernia surgery? For most people, about two weeks. The NHS says a large, painful bruise in the groin or genitals can occasionally take a few months to clear. Swelling that is still growing after the first few days needs a call to your surgeon.
Should you wear a jockstrap after hernia surgery? It helps if your scrotum swells or hurts. MedlinePlus says men may want an athletic supporter for swelling or pain in the scrotum or testicles after repair. Snug briefs work too. Ask your surgeon if they want something specific.
How long should you ice after hernia surgery? MedlinePlus says 15 to 20 minutes at a time during the first few days, with the cold pack wrapped in a towel. Take at least as long off between sessions, and don’t ice while you sleep.
Can you use frozen peas after hernia surgery? Yes, wrapped in a towel. Frozen peas mold well to a groin incision. They’re harder to keep in place under a swollen scrotum, which is where a shaped pack in a support pouch helps.
Is hernia support underwear the same as a hernia truss? No. A truss presses on an unrepaired hernia to hold it in, and Mayo Clinic says a health professional should check the fit. Support underwear only keeps the scrotum still and holds an ice pack. It doesn’t hold a hernia in.
When can you lift things after hernia surgery? MedlinePlus says not to lift anything over 10 pounds for 4 to 6 weeks, or until your surgeon says it’s okay. The NHS says to avoid heavy lifting and strenuous activity for at least 4 to 6 weeks.
Sources
- MedlinePlus: Inguinal hernia repair, discharge
- NHS: Inguinal hernia repair, recovery
- Mayo Clinic: Inguinal hernia, diagnosis and treatment
- Mayo Clinic: Testicle pain, causes and when to see a doctor
For more on support and ice for other conditions, see our scrotal support guide.
Editorial and informational. Not medical advice. Read the full disclaimer.
