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Have you noticed either a lump or swelling around your groin or abdomen?
If the lump appears more prominent when you are standing and seems to disappear when you’re lying down, you may have a hernia.
“A hernia occurs when an organ squeezes through an opening in the muscle or tissue that holds it in place. In some cases, the intestines may protrude through a weakened area in the abdominal wall.” – Dr Ganesh Ramalingam
Hernias occur primarily in the abdominal region, but they can also appear in the upper thigh, belly button, and groin areas. Most hernias are not immediately life-threatening, but often they require surgery to prevent potentially dangerous complications.
While the prospect of undergoing a hernia repair might not sound appealing, here are some questions you might want to have answered before deciding if that surgery is the right option for you.
A Hernia Repair is a type of surgical operation that addresses a hernia or opening in the abdominal wall.
In an open hernia repair, our doctor makes an incision above the hernia into your groin and pushes the protruding abdominal tissue back into your abdomen and suture the defect closed. This repairs the abdominal wall defect.
In contrast, laparoscopic hernia repair surgery involves our doctor making a few short incisions (usually or 0.5 cm to 1 cm) instead of a single long incision to access the protruding tissue and push it back into the abdomen.
In both cases, mesh is applied to help reinforce the abdominal walls and prevent the organs from exerting excess pressure leading to a recurrence.
Hernias occur primarily in the abdominal region, but they can also appear in the upper thigh, belly button, and groin areas. Most hernia conditions aren’t immediately life-threatening, but often they require surgery to prevent potentially dangerous complications.
The main types of hernias that can be treated with a hernia repair are:
A different type of hernia, Hiatal Hernia, occurs when the upper part of the stomach and oesophagus protrudes past the opening (also known as hiatus) in the diaphragm into the chest cavity. This results in the stomach bulging through the diaphragm, which may lead to obstruction of blood flow.
Patients who have hiatal hernia may experience similar symptoms to that of gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GERD), depending on the location of the hiatus.
In such cases, Nissen Fundoplication (a procedure usually used to treat GERD) is usually recommended by our doctor to prevent the symptoms from worsening.
A laparoscopic hernia surgery is a relatively quick procedure that can also be performed on an outpatient basis, which means you will be able to go home the same day. Sometimes, your doctor will recommend you to stay the night for observation. In general, the surgery can take between 30 minutes to 2 hours, depending on the complexity of the case.
In most cases, patients will be expected to stay in the hospital for 1-2 days following the procedure, depending on their individual recovery needs. During this time, patients may experience some mild discomfort and may need to take pain medication as needed.
Depending on the type of surgery that you undergo, the recovery time for a Hernia Repair Surgery may differ.
Hernia repairs are carried out in one of two different methods: open surgery and laparoscopic surgery.
Open surgery requires larger incisions to be made on your body and will naturally require a much longer recovery time. If you undergo open surgery, it is common to take 4 to 6 weeks to resume your usual routine.
On the other hand, laparoscopic surgeries require smaller incisions to your body and are less invasive. As such, if you underwent laparoscopic surgery, you are typically able to resume normal activities after three days and fully recover in two weeks if there are no complications.
Most patients who undergo a hernia repair will observe great success in treating their condition. However, there is always a possibility that a hernia may return within months or even years after the repair is done.
A hernia may return due to increased strain or pressure exerted on the same surgical region or other parts of the abdomen.
Due to the nature of a hernia and the cause, heavy lifting should be avoided wherever possible; weightlifting could potentially cause further herniation and deterioration of your condition, so it would be better not to lift weights whilst you have a hernia.
If the surgery was not performed successfully, you may have to undergo another hernia repair to fix the condition. If you suspect that you have a recurring hernia, speak to our doctor for a proper assessment to prevent the condition from worsening.
A hernia repair usually requires a layer of mesh to reinforce the abdominal walls. As a result, it is normal to observe some swelling over the surgical site. You can expect the swelling to take a period of 3 to 6 months to subside.
However, if you notice the swelling becoming more prominent, you may want to consult our doctor for advice, as it could imply that the mesh implant has not been successful.
In Singapore, hernia repair surgeries are typically covered by most insurers.
If you are unsure about your financing options and require advice, contact our team to understand more about the potential fees you need to be aware of before opting for a hernia repair.
Most patients who undergo hernia repairs can resume regular activity, including walking, light exercises, and going to work after the surgery. In most cases, you may be advised to avoid lifting weights or carrying heavy objects until you have fully recovered to prevent complications and causing excess pressure on your abdomen, which may result in a hernia recurrence.
Apart from that, you may also be advised to control the level of exertion when sneezing and coughing to avoid aggravating the surgical wound.
Most people can return to their regular activities within a few weeks of surgery. However, it is important to avoid strenuous activities, such as lifting heavy objects or exercising, for at least six weeks to allow the surgical site to heal properly. Once the surgical site has healed, you can gradually resume your normal activity level.
While not all hernias require surgery, it is important to recognise that a hernia repair is the only way to treat a hernia.
When left untreated, hernias may cause potentially serious medical complications such as obstruction, whereby the tissues around your hernia or intestines become blocked by the hernia. This tissue may die if not immediately treated with surgery.
An obstructed or strangulated intestine may also lead to the formation of gangrene within the body. If treatment is not carried out promptly, peritonitis, an infection and inflammation of the abdomen lining and its contents, may occur. Peritonitis is a serious condition that can be life-threatening.
It is common for patients who have undergone a hernia repair surgery to report the feeling of the mesh pressing against the abdominal walls and some discomfort in the initial days after the surgery.
This is due to the nerves found along the abdominal wall that can detect these sensations. However, the feeling of discomfort should disappear gradually a few weeks after the surgery.
If you are experiencing severe pain or noticeable swelling along your abdominal wall, approach our doctor immediately for medical attention to determine if the mesh repair has been successful.
Physiotherapy may be recommended after hernia surgery to help with recovery and prevent future hernias from occurring. Hernia surgery typically involves repairing a weak or damaged area in the abdominal wall, and physiotherapy can help to strengthen the muscles in that area.
It is important to follow the recommendations of a healthcare professional, such as a physiotherapist or surgeon, regarding the appropriate type and frequency of physiotherapy after hernia surgery.
As with all surgeries, it is common to experience some side effects following the hernia repair.
One of the more commonly noticed effects would be swelling over the surgical site that is painful to touch.
The swelling is caused by the mesh applied to help reduce the pressure exerted onto the abdominal walls, which should subside within several weeks after the surgery.
Other possible side effects may include bleeding (internal and external), scarring and infection.
In rare cases, side effects associated with the type of hernia may occur, such as constipation, urinary tract infection, pneumonia, kidney complications and organ or tissue damage.
When it comes to treating hernia, early medical care and lifestyle changes can minimise symptoms. However, a hernia repair is the only way to treat the condition effectively.
There are different types of surgeries available for hernia repairs, but in general, laparoscopic surgery is preferred over open surgery as they are less invasive.
The prognosis for hernia repair surgery is generally very good but can depend on the nature of the hernia, your symptoms, and your overall health. In some cases, the hernia may recur following repair.
Remember, an untreated hernia can prove to be very disruptive as it worsens.
If you are bothered by your condition, schedule an assessment with our doctor to better understand how you can manage and treat your condition.
G&L Surgical Clinic will do our best to provide you with an estimate of your out-of-pocket expenses before your procedure. With a comprehensive financing service, we endeavour to assist you in finding the most suitable financing option to enjoy a seamless and pleasant experience. Please do not hesitate to contact us with any questions. We are here to help you get the care you need.
Exercising With A Hernia: Is It Safe? Click one of our representatives below to chat on WhatsApp or send us an email to enquiry@glsurgical.com.sg
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