5 Questions To Ask Before Having Inguinal Hernia Surgery

If someone has been diagnosed with a hernia, one should undergo a hernia surgery immediately. If it is an inguinal hernia, which has the highest occurrences, the latest laparoscopic surgery is one of the best treatments and commonly preferred. At this juncture, one needs to ask the right questions- including the 5 questions mentioned below. We have tried to answer several common questions that are related to inguinal hernia surgery. 

1. Are the symptoms really of inguinal hernia or something else?

The symptoms of inguinal hernia are similar to that of groin strain. Hence, it is essential that you ask the general surgeon that they are absolutely sure that the symptoms are those of a hernia. Some of the symptoms of inguinal hernia that doctor looks out for confirming an inguinal hernia are-

• A visible bulge near the groin
• Pain and burning sensation around the bulge
• Weakness in the groin
• Experiencing pain while coughing, sneezing or lifting heavy objects

According to Pristyn Care doctors, half of the patients they come across have a groin strain instead of a hernia. Other symptoms of groin strain include pain while rolling over in bed or getting out of the car. Meanwhile, most hernias tend to be asymptomatic until it causes any complications.

2. Should I wait for hernia surgery?

Depending on the severity of the symptoms of hernia, the doctor recommends hernia surgery. Unless and until hernia symptoms tend to be severe and interfere with lifestyle, it is okay to wait. However, there are some doctors who believe that there is a high chance that leaving a hernia untreated can cause severe complications– such as incarceration or even strangulation. 

An incarcerated tissue is the one that gets trapped in the abdominal wall and further it can lead to strangulation. In strangulation, the blood supply to the trapped tissue is cut off leading to death of the tissue. This is a fatal condition that requires immediate surgery. 

Also Read: How To Prepare For Hernia Surgery

3. What is the best way to treat a hernia?

In the surgical procedure of inguinal hernia-open or laparoscopic– the opening of the abdominal wall is closed and the weak area is reinforced. The trapped intestines and fatty tissues are freed and put back to their original position. 

To strengthen the weakened area of hernia, doctors often place a mesh to repair the hernia. Otherwise, the vicinity of the hernia with weakened tissues would fail without substantial reinforcement. The mesh allows the normal body tissue to regrow. The materials of the meshes are such that these are not rejected by the body. This doesn’t lead to infection and strengthens the otherwise weak tissue. 

There are a lot of questions you must have when you are undergoing hernia mesh surgery. Mostly, patients want to be mentally prepared about how the surgery is going to affect their lives. Hence, here are a few important health questions that you can ask the doctor before the surgery.

Mesh Repair Frequently Asked Questions-

• How does hernia mesh work?
• Is it safe to use Mesh for hernia repair?
• What are the most common complications of hernia mesh?
• Does Hernia mesh repair affect sexual activity?

4. What precautions should I take during recovery after hernia surgery? 

Ask your doctor the precautionary measures one should take after laparoscopic hernia repair so that postoperative pain is minimized and the risk of infections is also minimal. Here are some points that doctors generally recommend-

• Diet 

Diet plays an important role in the recovery of a hernia patient. Or else, there can be episodes of acid reflux, heartburn or bloating. Ask the doctor what food you should eat or avoid after hernia surgery.

• Remember wound care

Ask your doctor for a checklist of do’s and don’ts that you should take for wound care after hernia surgery such as- wash your hands, don’t wear tight clothes, etc.

• Resuming normal activities

Following a laparoscopic hernia repair, there are no restrictions on resuming normal activity. When you start feeling there is no discomfort or pain, you can start with your normal activities including light exercises or sexual activity. However, speak with your doctor first who can suggest better.

Also Read: Yoga After Inguinal Hernia Surgery

5. What to do to prevent hernia from coming back after the surgery?

One of the major complaints of hernia patients after the hernia surgery is that the hernia has developed again, especially near the incision site. This is mainly because people jump back to their usual sedentary lifestyle that increases the risk of recurrence. Here are a few tips that might prevent hernia from developing again–

1. Try to cure chronic constipation
2. Get fit 
3. Maintain good posture while heavylifting
4. Restrictions on smoking and drinking
5. Practice yoga and meditation daily
6. Wear comfortable clothes
7. Reduce workout intensity
8. Don’t ignore other health conditions

Conclusion

After the surgery, follow up with the doctor after a few weeks. Therefore, to prevent the risk of occurrence and severity of hernia, you should undergo laparoscopic hernia repair from Pristyn Care clinics.

Do you have any other questions related to inguinal hernia surgery? Drop your query in the comment section below.