Questions to Ask Before Hernia Repair Surgery

A hernia occurs when your intestines or fatty tissues protrude through the wall that usually holds them in place. Hernias generally occur in the abdomen when increased pressure from wear and tear or an injury forms a weak spot in the muscles or the sheet of connective tissue, called the fascia, that makes up the abdominal wall.

When the tissues push through the weak area into the abdominal cavity or groin, a lump or bulge develops under the skin. While you may not experience symptoms initially, as the hernia grows larger and pushes through more forcefully, it can lead to significant pain.

A hernia becomes serious when it lodges in the hole it’s pushed through and can’t retract. This can lead to strangulation in severe cases, where the tissue becomes cut off from its blood supply and starts to die. Since hernias generally worsen over time, most will need surgical repair at some point.

At Advanced Surgical Associates of Northern Minnesota, board-certified general surgeon Dr. John Bollins and his staff diagnose and treat hernias using one of several surgical techniques, depending on the location and severity of the hernia. If you’re going to have hernia surgery, here are the questions the doctors think you should ask beforehand.

Types of hernias

There are several different types of hernias, including:

Inguinal hernia

Inguinal hernias are the most common type, accounting for approximately 75% of all hernias, and they predominantly occur in men. They develop when part of your bowel pushes into the inguinal canal, a passageway located in the inner thigh.

Femoral hernia

This is a less common type of groin hernia, where fatty tissue pokes into the femoral canal, which runs underneath the inguinal canal.

Hiatal hernia

Hiatal hernias are also common, and occur when the opening in your diaphragm — where your esophagus passes through — widens, so the top of your stomach can push up into your chest.

Incisional hernia

An incisional hernia happens when tissue pushes through a healed incision in your abdominal wall that’s weakened over time. It’s a common side effect of abdominal surgery.

Ventral hernia

This is any hernia that occurs through the front wall of the abdomen. It includes umbilical (near the navel) hernias and incisional hernias. An “epigastric hernia” is a type of ventral hernia that occurs above the navel.

Perineal hernia

This type of hernia occurs when organs or tissue push through a weak spot in the pelvic floor, ending up in the abdominal cavity. These hernias are relatively rare.

Hernia surgery

While an emergency hernia repair (i.e., when the hernia is strangulated and the tissue is necrotic) may require open surgery, at Advanced Surgical Associates of Northern Minnesota, we try to perform most procedures either laparoscopically (small incisions) or as a robot-assisted procedure.

The surgeon replaces the tissues and organs in their normal location, while also repairing and strengthening the muscles and other tissues in the wall. In addition, they may implant a surgical mesh to support the weakened muscles to lower your risk of a recurrent hernia.

Questions to ask before hernia repair surgery

You’re likely to have many questions before your hernia repair surgery, and it’s always best to seek an answer than not to know. Some of the most important things to ask include:

What type of hernia do I have?
What type of procedure will I have?
How should I prepare for the procedure?
What happens during the procedure?
What are the possible complications?
How soon will I be able to go home?
What will my recovery be like?
Will I have any limitations following the procedure?
How likely am I to have a recurrent hernia?

Of course, if you can think of anything else you want to know, just ask! We always prefer that our patients are well-informed about their condition and its treatment.

If you suspect you may have a hernia, or you know you do and are seeking treatment, schedule a consultation with Advanced Surgical Associates of Northern Minnesota. Call our office in Hibbing, Duluth, or Ely, Minnesota, or book your appointment online.

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