Q&A: I was diagnosed with a hernia. What are my treatment options?

A hernia occurs when an organ or body fat pushes through a tear or weakness in the abdominal wall. Hernias often result from muscle weakness that exists from birth or as a result of aging or strain on the body.

There are five common symptoms that may indicate you have a hernia:

Depending on size, location and symptoms, a physician will decide to treat the hernia surgically or monitor it for changes until intervention becomes necessary. However, it is important to note that hernias do not resolve on their own and will grow in size and complexity over time. Timely treatment often means less invasive surgery.

Your surgeon may recommend an open or laparoscopic, meaning minimally invasive, surgical repair. Recent advances like robotic surgery allow for reduced pain by combining minimal surgical access with the precision of open surgery. However, larger hernias will require more invasive surgery than newer, smaller hernias.

After undergoing surgery, it is important to be aware of potential complications like recurrence, infection and persistent pain. Most surgeons will opt for the standard mesh repair of inserting a synthetic mesh between the abdominal wall layers to reinforce the weakened area and reduce the possibility of recurrence.

Pain levels will guide how quickly a patient can resume normal physical activity after treatment. Most patients resume daily activities within 72 hours after surgery; however, it’s recommended to wait two weeks before resuming more vigorous activities like weightlifting. Consult with your surgeon if pain persists longer than three months after surgery.

Ignoring symptoms can result in emergency surgery for obstruction or strangulation of the bowel. Emergency hernia surgery has less optimal outcomes and higher risk of infection compared to elective procedures.

If you’re experiencing symptoms, call your local hernia program for more information or an in-person consultation.

Omer Nasir is director of the Comprehensive Hernia Program and director of the Robotic Surgery Program at Nazareth Hospital.