For a hernia op, you're going to be looking at at least 6 weeks before you can be doing anything strenuous. Best to err on the side of 8. Best to always err longer than a surgeon says, you don't want to make it worse. (Speaking from experience, I had to have surgery, got too active because work insisted on it, and had to have another surgery to correct a twisted scar). Best always to wait longer than have to deal with complications.