A Hernia is more commonly referred to as a "rupture" because it is a protrusion of the bowel through the abdominal wall. It may have developed with age or be a congenital weakness i.e., something you are born with.

The first sign is a bulge which may become uncomfortable on activity. It will become progressively large and will often be reducible that is to say it can easily be pushed back. The danger of a Hernia is that the bowel becomes irreducible thus being a "strangulated" Hernia which is a life threatening condition.

The best treatment for a Hernia is a repair to the abdominal wall. This can be achieved by several methods. Traditional Suturing or a Tension Free Mesh Repair are two of these methods. The latter method has the least recurrence rate reported. Your Surgeon will decide on examination which is the most suitable method for you. Most Hernias repairs can be carried out as a day case under general anaesthesia.

As a day case , admission to the hospital is at 10.00a.m. After initial examination you would be taken to the operating theatre and given light sedation and the operation would be performed under local anaesthesia. The operation takes approximately 40 - 60 minutes. You would then return to your bed to rest until you are ready for discharge. A friend or relative would need to accompany you home. You may then resume a normal life as no damage will occur from walking, climbing stairs or riding in a car.

Post operative analgesia or "painkillers" are given to take home for when the local anaesthesia wears off, this may take up to twelve hours.

Healing is maximal over 2 - 3 weeks but continues over 3 months. Your only limitation to normal activity will be pain and discomfort. Most patients are fully mobile in 24 hours.

It will take between 3 - 7 days before one is comfortable enough to drive. Test whether you would feel comfortable in an emergency situation. Recovery varies with patients.

Return to work will vary with occupation but any heavy lifting should be delayed for 3 weeks. The rule should be "if it hurts take it easy. Take it more slowly"

Post operative check will be after two weeks. Any further follow ups will be in consultation with the Surgeon .