We release the patient from medical restrictions and encourage the patient to begin exercising about two weeks after surgery, limited only by the level of incisional discomfort. Exercise from this time on will not affect the occurrence of a ventral hernia - by that time it s either going to happen or it won t. The type of exercise is to some extent dictated by the patient s overall condition. Some patients who have severe knee problems can t even walk well, but almost all can swim or bicycle. Many patients begin with low stress forms of exercise, and we encourage them to progress to more vigorous activity when they are able.
Sexual activity is OK from two weeks onward, again as dictated by comfort level.
Also see the page called Keys to Success . Yes, but we strongly recommend you wait until at least one year after the surgery. At approximately one year your body will be fairly stable from a weight and nutrition standpoint and you should be able to carry a normally nourished fetus. You should be in contact with your surgeon as you plan for pregnancy. Please think about some reliable method of birth control for use in the first year after surgery, to avoid the situation of carrying a baby within the first year.