News Feed Discussions Hernia Discussion Should I get surgery?

  • Should I get surgery?

    Posted by rick14 on March 13, 2025 at 3:28 am

    I have a 7mm inguinal hernia, it was an accidental find after being injured elsewhere.

    Have most people had these fixed? From what I’ve read it will need to be fixed at some point anyway. The doctor has left it up to me

    Watchnwaitin replied 2 days, 9 hours ago 3 Members · 3 Replies
  • 3 Replies
  • rick14

    Member
    March 17, 2025 at 9:54 pm

    Thanks for your reply.

    I don’t really have any symptoms and I can’t actually feel the hernia. If it wasn’t found by accident I wouldn’t know it was there.

    Is it safe to just wait?

    • Watchnwaitin

      Member
      March 22, 2025 at 2:11 am

      I have a very small inguinal hernia, barely a noticable bulge the size of an almond. The doctors said the operation was a simple one and I would need it eventually. My pain level is just about non-existant, just a slight pain for a few seconds now and then a few times a month. I had booked mesh surgery and then cancelled a week before the scheduled date after reading more on this forum about mesh issues and seeing a doctors statement that no surgery is simple or guaranteed to be successful – cancelling was the best decision I made. 4 years later now and it really hasn’t gotten larger and still the pain level hasn’t changed. I use a hernia belt/truss (with flat side of pad against the area) when I work on my cars in the garage or do anything where lifting is concerned to be safe. I’ve since read and heard of people not ever needing the surgery, or waiting over 15-20 years before it was needed so I will simply watch and wait. I realize I’m lucky its not large like many have, where they need surgery sooner. If yours is similar to mine then I would simply watch and wait rather than risk surgery when not really needed.

  • drtowfigh

    Moderator
    March 16, 2025 at 10:48 pm

    In males the watchful waiting trial shows about ⅔ of patients will have symptoms that prompt them to want repair within the next 10 yrs.

    In my practice, I do not recommend repair if my male patient is asymptomatic

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