Approximately 600,000 hernia repair operations are performed annually in the United States. Many are performed by the conventional "open" method. Some hernia repairs are performed using a small telescope known as a laparoscope.

What is a Hernia?

Essentially a hernia is a rupture of an inside layer of abdominal muscle. It may result in a tear or a bulge.  One way to visualize it is like an inner tube in a tire that has been damaged.   The inside lining pushes through the damaged area and the result is a small sac like a balloon on the inside.  What happens next is that abdominal tissue or a loop of your intestine can push into the sac. Often that results in pain. Usually it shows up as a bulge in the abdomen and not necessarily large.  It may be sensitive to touch. Some abdominal hernias might need urgent surgical attention because they can lead to serious problems.

Hernias happen to both men and women.

Some people are born with them (congenital hernia).Others hernias develop over a period of time. Hernias do not heal themselves and do not disappear.  

If I have a hernia, how would I know it?

A bulge under your skin is usually the first thing you notice. Hernias are fairly easy to recognize. You might feel some pain when you are straining your muscles such as when you lift heavy objects, or cough, or have long periods of sitting or standing, or have a bowel movement. You may have pain during urination. There are three types of hernias. An umbilical hernia is at your belly button.  An inguinal hernia is in the groin. When a hernia appears where there was a preceding operation it is an incision hernia. The amount of pain varies.  It might be immediate and intense or sharp. But sometimes it is a dull ache that just keeps getting worse during the day. It may also be a long time before you feel any pain. Serious, relentless pain or redness and tenderness suggest the hernia might be developing complications like incarceration or strangulation. You need to contact your doctor or surgeon right away.

So what causes of Hernias?

Parts of the abdominal wall are naturally weaker than other areas.  A hernia may develop in any one of these weaker areas. It may be the result of strain, heavy lifting, aging, an old incision or injury or even a congenital defect. Hernias can happen at any age to men or women.  Usually a child with a hernia was born with it.

What happens after surgery?

You are monitored in a recovery room for about 1-2 hours after surgery. When you are awake and can walk, you are sent home. Expect soreness as the medication wears off, particularly during the first 24-48 hours.  Expect to be more tired than usual. Some people find that ordinary things seem heavier than usual. Ideally, you should be up and moving around the day after surgery, though you need to be gentle with yourself and move slower than usual.