Whitney Port Thought Hernia Surgery Would Mean 'Forced Relaxation' Until Three Incisions Left Her 'Too Weak' for IVF
Whitney Port has delayed her planned IVF embryo transfer by up to two months after hernia surgery left her feeling too weak to proceed.
Port had planned the embryo transfer for the end of October. Two weeks after surgery, however, she described the recovery as 'a freaking nightmare' after having 'three different incisions in my belly'.
'I just feel too weak,' Port said. She did not want 'a little baby going in this body right now' and planned to wait another month and a half to two months before the transfer.
Although she said she was 'super ready' mentally, Port did not believe one month was enough for her body to fully recover. She wanted to be in 'optimal shape for the transfer' before proceeding with IVF.
Why Surgery Came First
Port, who shares nine-year-old son Sonny with husband Tim Rosenman, chose to have the hernia repaired before IVF. On the 20 August episode of her podcast With Whit, she said her doctor had warned it could 'just grow, burst and be really painful'.
Her aim was to be 'as healthy as I possibly can be' before the embryo transfer. Cleveland Clinic notes that activities or conditions that increase abdominal pressure, such as coughing or straining, can contribute to hernias.
The NHS and Mayo Clinic state that adult hernias do not go away on their own. Surgery is commonly used to repair the defect, returning protruding tissue to its place before the area is closed or reinforced, often with mesh.
Recovery Proved Harder
Port had timed the operation after Fashion Week and expected 'forced relaxation'. Instead, she experienced 'constant discomfort' and said she spent time 'sitting around feeling super, super depressed' as recovery continued.
In a 1 October Instagram post, Port showed her scars and bruising. She said walking, moving and fastening a seatbelt were uncomfortable, with 'a little bit of pulling' in her abdomen.
She had previously described the hernia as a 'big big bulge coming out of my body'. Port said she had since turned a corner and felt 'hopeful', despite the difficult recovery.
Mild to moderate pain and feeling run down are common after hernia repair, according to the Hernia Center of Northeast Georgia Medical Center. Pulling or twinges in the affected area can also occur while tissues heal.
The centre says most patients feel better within a couple of weeks, although some experience pain for a month or longer. Recovery can vary depending on the hernia and surgery type, age, overall health and surgeon experience.
Laparoscopic or robotic procedures generally allow quicker recovery than open surgery. Most patients can return to work within three days to two weeks, while manual labourers may need longer before resuming demanding activity.
Patients are advised to avoid heavy lifting or strenuous activity for at least four weeks. Gentle exercise such as walking can support recovery, while preventing constipation may reduce pain near the repaired area.
Patients should contact a doctor for fever, bleeding, chills, vomiting or difficulty urinating after surgery. Increased abdominal swelling or pain also warrants medical attention, particularly if symptoms worsen rather than improve.
For Port, the unexpected physical strain of recovery has meant delaying a planned IVF milestone until she feels her body is ready. Her experience highlights that recovery after hernia surgery can take longer than expected before undergoing the next stage of treatment.