Dr Harsh Shah
MS, MCh (Surgical Gastroenterology), DrNB (Surgical Gastroenterology)
Registered with Gujarat Medical Council, Reg. No. G-38738
Robotic Hernia Surgeon · Apollo Hospital, Bhat, Gandhinagar · Gota OPD, Ahmedabad
In short
Many people find a hernia and decide to live with it for a while. Some are busy. Some are afraid of surgery. Some feel fine. It is fair to ask what will happen if nothing is done.
This page explains how a hernia usually behaves over time when it is left alone.
A hernia is a hole or weak spot in the belly wall. Fat or bowel pushes out through it. The hole does not close with rest, exercise, diet or medicine.
A belt can hold the lump in and feel more comfortable. It does not repair the wall.
Each cough, lift and strain pushes on the weak spot. Over months or years the opening tends to stretch and the lump gets bigger. Some hernias stay the same for a long time. Few get smaller.
As it grows, the ache often gets worse, especially by the end of the day or after work. In the groin, a hernia can grow down into the scrotum.
How an unrepaired hernia often changes over time
| Stage | What you may notice | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| Early | A small lump that goes back easily | Time to plan a repair |
| Growing | Larger lump, ache by evening | Repair becomes bigger |
| Hard to push back | Lump stays out longer | See a surgeon soon |
| Trapped | Hard, painful lump, vomiting | Emergency surgery |
Living with a hernia and not sure whether to wait? An examination can tell you how much time you have to plan.
Now and then, a loop of bowel slips into the hernia and gets stuck. If its blood supply is cut off, this is called strangulation. It needs an emergency operation.
For most small groin hernias this risk is low in any one year. It is higher for femoral hernias and for hernias with a narrow opening.
Warning signs that need help the same day
A small hernia can usually be repaired through small cuts by keyhole or robotic surgery. Most people go home the same day or the next. A very large hernia, or one that is trapped, needs a bigger operation and a longer stay.
If you choose to wait, see a surgeon who can tell you whether your hernia is safe to watch, and how often to come back.
No. A hernia is a hole in the belly wall. Rest, exercise, a belt or medicines do not close it.
It varies. Some stay the same for years, others grow within months. Heavy lifting, coughing and constipation can speed it up.
For some people with a small groin hernia that does not hurt, a surgeon may agree to watch it. This needs regular review and knowing the warning signs.
Femoral hernias, hernias with a narrow neck, and hernias that are growing or painful are usually repaired soon.
Often, yes. A larger hernia needs a bigger repair, and an emergency operation is more complex than a planned one.
The main page on this site is robotic hernia surgery in Ahmedabad. These cover the neighbouring questions.
Where to find us
Dr Harsh Shah, MS, MCh (Surgical Gastroenterology), DrNB (Surgical Gastroenterology)
Shah's Gastro, Cancer & Robotic Surgery Centre
Apollo Hospital, Bhat, Gandhinagar
Gota OPD, Ahmedabad
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