How long does it take to schedule a hernia surgery

If you have a hernia, then the chances are that you’ll need a hernia repair operation. Below, we’ve put together everything you need to know before you undergo surgery.

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Your hernia will need to be operated on to be repaired
You’ll probably be able to return home the same day
Hernia repair will be carried out through open or keyhole surgery
The operation is straightforward
You’ll need to take good care of yourself after your operation
Hernia Repair Q&A
How long can you wait to have hernia surgery?
How urgent is hernia surgery?
What to do while waiting for hernia surgery?
Do you need hernia surgery immediately?

Your hernia will need to be operated on to be repaired

Because hernias do not heal spontaneously and enlarge over time, it’s important to operate on your hernia as soon as it has been diagnosed. Failing to do so could see your hernia enlarge, which will make its eventual repair more risky and complicated.

You’ll probably be able to return home the same day

Unlike some operations, a hernia repair is a relatively small operation, and, as such, you’ll most likely be allowed to return home on the same day. The operation itself lasts just thirty to forty-five minutes. If you have any other medical problems or you live alone, you may be asked to stay in the hospital overnight so that a doctor can monitor your recovery.

Hernia repair will be carried out through open or keyhole surgery

Hernia repair can be carried out as either open or laparoscopic surgery, which is also known as keyhole surgery. An open repair is often performed under local anaesthetic, which means that you will be awake throughout the entire operation. However, the area being operated on will be numbed so that you won’t experience any pain throughout the operation.

In some cases, a general anaesthetic is used, meaning you’ll be asleep during your procedure. The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence advises that both open and keyhole surgeries are equally as effective at repairing hernias – the option taken is usually determined by your medical conditions and the experience of your surgeon.

The operation is straightforward

As soon as the anaesthetic has taken effect, your hernia repair surgeon will make a single incision over your hernia, and place the lump of tissue back into your abdomen. A mesh will then be placed in your abdominal wall to strengthen the area, and as soon as the repair is complete the opening will be sealed with stitches. These stitches usually dissolve on their own in the coming days and weeks.

You’ll need to take good care of yourself after your operation

Although you can usually return home immediately after your operation, you must take good care of yourself to ensure that you recover fully. Ensure that you drink plenty of fluids and consume fruits and vegetables to reduce your risk of constipation. With plenty of rest, you should be able to return to work after a week or two, but you should avoid any manual labour until you have fully recovered from your operation.

If you have a persistent fever, bleeding, increased abdomen swelling, nausea, chills, coughing or difficulty passing urine after your operation, you should call your surgeon immediately.

Most patients will be fully recovered in one week and can resume some normal activities, such as driving, walking and some duties at work; however, due to the use of internal stitches or staples, your surgeon will advise you when it is safe to resume any heavy lifting pushing or pulling.

Alternative Names

Hernia repair; inguinal hernia surgery; groin hernia surgery, Laparoscopic Anti-Reflux Surgery, Laparoscopic Nissen Fundoplication, GERD surgery

Hernia Repair Q&A

What does the procedure involve?

The surgeon makes a few small incisions and inserts a tiny camera to the surgery site. This gives clear visualization of the surgical field and allows him great precision when placing surgical mesh over the hernia. This mesh is stapled, giving support the hernia site. In the case of a hiatal hernia, no mesh is used, but the site is wrapped with stomach tissue to reinforce the weakened area. The surgery is performed typically under general anesthesia.

How many incisions are made?

Three to four tiny incisions are made around the site of the hernia.

How long do I stay in the hospital?

In most cases, patients are discharged the same day; however, some patients who have had abdominal wall hernia repair may need to stay in the hospital for two days.

What is the recovery time?

Most patients are fully recovered within one week, but should get advice from the surgeon on when it is safe to lift, push or pull heavier objects.

What reasons would the surgeon have to perform an open surgery instead of a minimally invasive procedure?

The surgeon may recommend an open procedure due to a patient’s weight or history of prior surgery that has left scar tissue, making visualization of organs with the camera more difficult.

What are the risks of waiting to have my hernia?

While many hernias do not cause severe pain or discomfort, they can worsen over time or become inflamed, infected or trapped. When this happens, it is an emergency that requires surgery. Talk with your surgeon to determine the best options for you.

WakeMed has many board-certified general surgeons who perform laparoscopic hernia repair. Find a WakeMed surgeon.

How long can you wait to have hernia surgery?

Many people are able to delay surgery for months or even years. And some people may never need surgery for a small hernia. If the hernia is small and you don't have any symptoms, or if the symptoms don't bother you much, you and your doctor may simply continue to watch for symptoms to occur.

How urgent is hernia surgery?

Incarcerated Hernia – Some patients show up with a hernia that can not be pushed back in, with or without severe pain. Patients without severe pain can have urgent surgery within a few weeks. Patients with severe pain often need emergency surgery and are best evaluated in an emergency room.

What to do while waiting for hernia surgery?

Take good care of yourself in the days/weeks leading up to your surgery. Eat well, stay hydrated, exercise at levels that do not cause excessive pain to the hernia and get plenty of sleep. Remember #1 — try to keep a positive outlook – over 1 million people go through hernia surgery each year in the US.

Do you need hernia surgery immediately?

If you have a hernia, early treatment is crucial to avoid serious complications. The longer you postpone hernia surgery, the greater your risk for the hernia becoming strangulated, which means the muscles surrounding the hernia cut off the blood flow to the organ or tissue. A strangulated hernia is life-threatening.