groin hernia surgery.....?

I'm no man, but I have plenty of experience with nursing fellows after just such surgery. A lot depends on the man, and how well he takes things. It also depends on the exact location of this hernia. You called it a groin hernia, so I'm not sure if you are talking about an inguinal hernia or one involving the testicular sac. But hernia repairs have come a long way, and it's definitely not your grandpa's repair now days. Unless his is really large, they most often do a laproscopic repair and you get spared the long line of stitches. The poke holes they use are less than half an inch long, and generally don't bother the fellow at all. Now, that said- he will feel like he got kicked by an elephant those first few days, and he may have some bruising at the site. The day after the repair is done he will feel like his own personal balloon, full of gas that has to pass the old fashioned way. Most folks don't actually want to get up and move, but those who do get better faster. Your husband might well need a helping hand to get up from sitting or lying down, but the more often he does get up, the faster he'll feel better and the easier it will get. He should not do any lifting at all during that six weeks either. Although everything will look healed before then, inside there is still a lot of healing going on, and it would be easier to strain tear those new repairs. You will want to find a small, firm pillow for him to hold against himself when he coughs or sneezes, and at first it will just plain feel good to hold against himself. For sleeping at night, he'll like a longer body pillow and probably one to place between the knees to help support the upper leg. Getting out of a bed is more difficult than getting out of a chair as a rule, so if you have a recliner, he might find that more comfy for sleeping the first few days as well. Baths are out of the question, but at least you shower standing up. He would want a steady hand for stepping out and over the tub though. So far as dressing and clothing go, things like boxer shorts and sweat pants are a lot more comfy for men. They should give you some ice packs to take home, as cold feels good on the site. If they don't, I recommend small bags of tiny frozen peas to use instead. They conform to the body easier than ice cubes, and aren't as messy- providing you stick it in a ziplock baggie. Two small bags are good, one to use, one to spare. I leave it to you to decide on eating them afterward. The first three to five days are generally the worst, so far as pain and misery. By the end of the first week he may move slower, but easier. A lot really depends on how big the hernia is, and what it takes to repair it, as well as how well he takes to being sick/injured. If you are lucky he won't turn into a big baby. If he does, then it may take some firmness on your part to get his duff up and moving. Good luck to you both. Just be prepared for a couple days of providing a helping hand.