Q. If I have an operation, how fast will I recover?
A. Modern surgical techniques like laparoscopic repairs and open ‘tension free repairs’ enable rapid recovery. The length of stay in hospital and recovery times vary according to the extent of the operation and your general health, but most patients are in and out of hospital in a day and back to full activity within a week. It is best however to avoid strenuous activity for four to six weeks after surgery.

Q. Is a hernia dangerous?
A. If a hernia is left untreated it is possible for the abdominal contents entering the hernia to become stuck. Should this occur the hernia becomes increasingly painful.

If the hernia contains bowel then it will become blocked. This produces colicky abdominal pain in addition to the constant pain experienced within the hernia, abdominal distension, vomiting and a variable degree of constipation. Patients may hear a lot of gurgling coming from their abdomen as the bowel contracts vigorously in an attempt to overcome the blockage. With time, the blood supply to the bowel may be cut off leading to it rupturing and the development of peritonitis.

This is a serious complication requiring emergency surgery, which is why doctors recommend the repair of the majority of hernias as a matter of routine.

Q. Do all hernias require surgery?
A.  Hernias that can develop complications, cause you pain, or limit your activity should be repaired, as they won't get better on their own.

Q. How can a hernia be repaired?
A. Unfortunately the only way to repair a hernia is through surgery, but you do have choices about how that repair is made.

The methods can be divided into open operations and laparoscopic procedures, traditional suturing and tension free repairs. Different hernias need to be treated differently. To find out more about the best method of repair for your hernia click here.

Q. Can I have my hernia repaired without a general anaesthetic?
A. Yes most hernias can be repaired under local or regional anaesthetic. A laparoscopic repair requires a general anaesthetic. So if you do not want to be put to sleep for your operation, or it is not thought safe to put you to sleep, then you will have to have open surgery rather than the laparoscopic approach.

Q. What is the difference between laparoscopic and open hernia repair?
A. The laparoscopic approach is a relatively recent innovation. Like the open technique we usually use a mesh, but unlike the open technique the operation can be performed through three small cuts, the largest of which is only 1.5 cm in size.  Both can normally be performed as a day case (the patient goes home on the day of surgery).

The major difference is in the amount of postoperative pain. Patients start walking and return to work far sooner following laparoscopic repair (6 to 18 days sooner). Wound numbness is also reduced after laparoscopic hernia repair. One study also showed an increased quality of life after laparoscopic, as opposed to open repair.

Q. Are all types of hernia suitable to be repaired Laparoscopically?
A. No, if the hernia is small, and therefore the cut through which it is repaired also small, then there is little difference in the amount of postoperative pain between an open and laparoscopic repair, so it makes sense to offer an open operation.

If repairing a hernia requires a larger cut then a laparoscopic approach is probably better. Epigastric hernias should also be repaired at open operation since the defect cannot be seen from inside the abdominal cavity. Inguinal, incisional, umbilical and paraumbilical hernias can all be repaired laparoscopically.

The National Institute of Clinical Excellence (NICE) especially recommends laparoscopic repair for patients with a hernia in both groins and or where the hernia has come back after being repaired previously.

Q. Which is better open or laparoscopic repair?
A. Laparoscopic and open operations are equally effective in repairing hernias. Though there is less postoperative pain, less wound numbness and an earlier return to work in patients undergoing a laparoscopic repair.  Each individual will have their own idea of which is the right approach for them. With the London Hernia Clinic the choice is left entirely up to you.

Q. Will I be in pain after the operation?
A. Modern surgical techniques which include laparoscopic and tension free repairs mean for many patients, there is very little discomfort post-operatively. However, this is still a major concern for patients and we take great care to minimise postoperative pain using a variety of techniques. For example at the operation we infiltrate local anaesthetics into wounds and provide patients with painkillers to go home with. We recommend that these be taken regularly for the first 48 hours.

Q. When will I be able to return to work?
A. This will depend upon the type of work you do. Office workers usually return after a few days, whereas those whose jobs involve a lot of physical activity may require two or three weeks.