Frequently Asked Questions - The British Hernia Centre (2023)

FAQs

What is the most frequent complication of a hernia? ›

Incarceration, obstruction and strangulation are well recognized common complications of hernias.

Reports of 90 – 99% success rates are common. Mesh repairs, in many cases, offer a smaller chance of hernia recurrence rate than non-mesh repairs. Unfortunately, some repairs may lead to very high incidence of chronic pain, which can range from 5-15%. The key is to find a surgeon that performs a lot of hernia surgery.

Inguinal hernioplasty: the gold standard of hernia repair.

According to the Journal of American Medical Association (JAMA), hernia mesh repairs usually last five years. However, each case varies depending on the type of mesh used and other medical complications.

Abdominal pain after hernia surgery is caused by injury to your skin, muscles, and nerves during the operation. The extent of the surgery may affect how much pain you have afterwards. Tell your doctor about your hernia pain so that they can help you manage it, our goal is to lessen your suffering.

Mild pain or tenderness may be the only symptoms of hernia mesh failure. In other cases, patients may experience a burning sensation around the surgical site or a bulging area that protrudes through the skin. Bulging may be caused by the mesh dislodging or migrating, which can cause inflammation and pain.

Surgical mesh in hernia repair surgery is highly effective

Research has consistently shown a lower recurrence rate using mesh versus repair without mesh, and the chances of hernia recurrence are decreased by as much as 50% when using mesh.

You should also be able to return to work after 1 or 2 weeks, although you may need more time off if your job involves manual labour. Gentle exercise, such as walking, can help the healing process, but you should avoid heavy lifting and strenuous activities for about 4 to 6 weeks.

How big is the incision for hernia surgery? ›

This incision is usually about 6 to 8cm long. The surgeon then places the lump of fatty tissue or loop of bowel back into your abdomen (tummy). A mesh is placed in the abdominal wall, at the weak spot where the hernia came through, to strengthen it. When the repair is complete, your skin will be sealed with stitches.

There are cases with less serious and permanent injuries. Our hernia mesh lawyers think the average settlement amounts in these cases will be $70,000 to $80,000 but, again, the more serious cases will have a higher average settlement amount.

Certain activities tend to make hernia symptoms worse. These may include prolonged standing, prolonged sitting, coughing, laughing, sneezing, straining during a bowel movement, sexual intercourse, getting in and out of a car or bed, bending forward, or crossing legs.

What foods to avoid if you have a hernia? You should avoid any foods that can upset your stomach and aggravate constipation or bloating, such as spicy foods, citrus foods, oily fried foods and foods without fibre.

The pain tends to get worse if you sneeze, cough, lift something heavy or strain. But different types of hernia can cause other symptoms. For example, the most common kind of hernia is inguinal, which happens when your intestine bulges through a weak spot in the muscle that usually holds it all in.

Avoid lifting more than 10 pounds for four weeks and excessive bending or twisting for one to two weeks following surgery. This is to allow healing of the incisions, specifically the fascia (the strongest layer of the abdomen wall) and to decrease the risk of your hernia coming back.

Seven common signs and symptoms of hernia mesh failure include bulging, burning, constipation, impotent and sexual dysfunction, nausea, lethargy, and pain. Depending on your injury, you may need to seek removal of the hernia mesh implant or revision surgery.

Because the mesh is on the inside, you will not be able to feel any mesh on the outside of your abdominal wall. Your abdominal pressure holds the mesh in place so that it will not migrate. Mesh is placed on the outside of the abdominal wall in traditional hernia surgery, which we very rarely perform.

Complications that occur in the perioperative period include wound seroma/hematoma, urinary retention, and superficial incisional surgical site infection, while complications that occur later following hernia repair include persistent groin pain, sexual dysfunction, deep incisional/mesh infection, recurrent hernia, and ...

After a hernia repair procedure, most patients experience some degree of groin pain or discomfort as their incision heals and their body adjusts to the surgical mesh. Post-operative pain, a type of lingering pain that can last up to three months following surgery, usually improves as mesh-related inflammation subsides.

How can I heal faster from hernia surgery? ›

Gentle exercise, such as walking, can help you heal faster. Avoid lifting anything heavy or performing strenuous activities for at least four weeks. Sexual intercourse is permitted when you feel ready—generally, around two to three weeks post-surgery.

The best sleeping position after umbilical hernia surgery is to sleep flat on your back with your head on a small pillow. This prevents too much pressure on the incision site and allows for comfortable breathing during sleep.

Most patients can take Acetaminophen (Tylenol) instead of the prescription medicine for pain after hernia surgery. Ibuprofen(Advil) or Naproxen (Aleve) can often be taken in addition to the Tylenol.

Over-the-counter pain medications can relieve discomfort associated with an inguinal hernia. Acetaminophen (Tylenol), ibuprofen, or naproxen can be taken, depending on individual preference.

Constipation or difficulty having a bowel movement

Any blockage in the large intestine caused by a hernia can cause constipation or difficulty in having a bowel movement as it interferes with digestion. It will also be difficult to pass gas, making you even more uncomfortable.

How long it takes for hernia mesh to heal depends on the type of surgery and the extent of the hernia repair. Most people can expect a full recovery about four to six weeks after the procedure.

Do not strain and try to force a bowel movement though as you do not want to do any damage to your repaired hernia.

Mesh and non‐mesh repairs are effective surgical approaches in treating hernias, each demonstrating benefits in different areas. Compared to non‐mesh repairs, mesh repairs probably reduce the rate of hernia recurrence, and reduce visceral or neurovascular injuries, making mesh repair a common repair approach.

The surgeon makes three to five small cuts in your lower belly. A medical device called a laparoscope is inserted through one of the cuts. The scope is a thin, lighted tube with a camera on the end.

Mesh made of either material can significantly reduce the risk of a recurrent hernia. However, mesh is not required in order to close the opening in the abdominal wall. A no mesh procedure uses nothing more than the body's own tissues, which reduces the risks associated with implants, such as rejection.

What not to do after hernia surgery? ›

Avoid strenuous activities, such as biking, jogging, weight lifting, or aerobic exercise, until your doctor says it is okay. Avoid lifting anything that would make you strain.

Absolute bed rest is no longer recommended for hernia operations. We give adequate pain relief in the form of painkillers when the patients go home. Hence, that should take care of the pain factor ,and they should encourage themselves to get out of bed and be on the move and thereby, they shorten their recovery time.

You must not eat breads, crackers, biscuits, chunky meats such as steaks and dry meals such as cold cuts. You can now start eating soft food such as well cooked pasta, minced meat, flaked fish, well cooked rice, pulses and vegetables with plenty of sauce.

Do not shave the hernia area yourself – the surgical team will do this for you. important to drink plenty of water until you are told to stop – to help you feel better after surgery and reduce complications. Make sure you have some painkillers, such as paracetamol, available at home.

The general surgeon will place the herniated tissue or organ behind the abdominal wall to repair the hernia. Dr. Hunsicker will tighten the weak or damaged abdominal muscles. She will also remove excess skin and fat and then place the skin and tissue to create a smoother, firmer abdomen.

Preoperative preparation includes blood work, medical evaluation, chest x-ray and an EKG depending on your age and medical condition. After your surgeon reviews with you the potential risks and benefits of the operation, you will need to provide written consent for surgery.

Hernia mesh claims will likely be worth $500,000 to $1,000,000 depending on the circumstances of your case. Hernia mesh complications can undermine one's quality and enjoyment of life, leaving victims to grapple with chronic pain and severe infections.

Are hernia mesh settlements taxable? Generally, hernia mesh settlements are not taxable. Under the tax code, settlements that compensate you for physical injury or illness are tax free. However, punitive damages awarded as a part of a jury claim may be taxable.

There are cases with less serious and permanent injuries. Our hernia mesh lawyers think the average settlement amounts in these cases will be $70,000 to $80,000 but, again, the more serious cases will have a higher average settlement amount.

If you're experiencing pain with your hernia, you may notice that the more intense the workout is, the worse your symptom gets. This is why if you're experiencing this, it's best to stick with less-intense workouts such as walking and jogging (over running).

Does bending over aggravate a hernia? ›

An inguinal hernia occurs when tissue, such as part of the intestine, protrudes through a weak spot in the abdominal muscles. The resulting bulge can be painful, especially when you cough, bend over or lift a heavy object.

The following foods are low-acid-producing foods and are less likely to aggravate your hiatal hernia symptoms: Bananas and apples. Green beans, peas, carrots, and broccoli.

Stress and hernias

People who engage in heavy lifting or repetitive activities that put stress on the lower body may be at increased risk for hernias. If you already have a hernia, stress can make it grow larger and get worse. Remember that no hernia disappears on its own.

Though acidic foods are harmless and often nutritious, they can many a time increase irritation and affect hernia patients. If one is facing the same, the one should avoid food items like orange juice, caffeinated beverages and decaffeinated coffee.

A hernia is a common but frequently misunderstood condition. You may have a hernia if you have swelling and a bulge that is able to be “pushed back” into your abdomen. If it continues to grow, you will need to have hernia surgery in order to repair it.

However, hernias can lead to a number of problems such as groin pain, back pain, testicular pain, inner thigh pain, scrotal swelling, and intestinal obstruction. Rarely, untreated hernias can progress from intestinal obstruction to true vascular compromise of the intestinal tissues.

What causes a hernia to worsen? ›

The pain tends to get worse if you sneeze, cough, lift something heavy or strain. But different types of hernia can cause other symptoms. For example, the most common kind of hernia is inguinal, which happens when your intestine bulges through a weak spot in the muscle that usually holds it all in.

Strangulated inguinal hernias are a more serious medical condition. This is when an intestine in an incarcerated hernia has its blood flow cut off.

Hernias don't go away on their own. Only surgery can repair a hernia. Many people are able to delay surgery for months or even years. And some people may never need surgery for a small hernia.

Absolutely Yes! If your hernia is not causing pain or discomfort – it is possible to live with your hernia. One must remember that there is a risk of an emergency (incarceration or strangulation) from any hernia. A painless hernia typically (but not always) will start causing discomfort prior to an emergency.

Repairing a hernia is major surgery. And like so many other types of surgery, hernia repairs have gotten much better for patients over the years, says Leon Clarke, MD, a general surgeon at Mercy Fitzgerald Hospital.