Have the hernia examined right away as one that is protruding, hardish (ya can't push it back in so to speak) and very painful will need surgery soon! Doctor will explain dangers of strangulation of the tissue leading to sepsis and can be deadly if this type of hernia. So get checked by surgeon. I had the surgery a couple of years ago and the mesh is kinda annoying (wire poking your skin from the inside it feels like).Also numbness around area yet occasionally jabs of pain. Oh well it is better then a rotten gut and a not so good way to perish! So hoped this helped....
It totally depends on where it is and if you are having any pain.
I had one for years 6 that I am sure of, maybe longer when I wasn't aware it was there. I saw 3 different surgeons, one wanted to remove my gallbladder, one wanted to cover my entire abdomen with mesh, keep me in the hospital for 6 days during flu season and the 3rd went through an existing scar and had me home the same day.
She actually told me the OR was cracking up when they found the problem and it was fixed with a single stitch.
My point is, don't rush into a surgery until you feel comfortable with the surgeon. Unless it is causing you tremendous pain, that makes it an emergency that should be dealt with sooner than later but, don't rush.
Normally done outpatient, uncomplicated. My husband had this surgery several times, most recently when he was in his mid-70s. Make sure the person is urinating OK before leaving. If older male, anesthesia may exacerbate prostate enlargement and lead to urinary retention and the need for catheterization--emergency situation if the person has already gone home!
Inguinal, uncomplicated hernia repair surgery is done routinely by the thousands all over the world. It's considered a low risk surgical procedure in an otherwise healthy individual.
I had one for years 6 that I am sure of, maybe longer when I wasn't aware it was there. I saw 3 different surgeons, one wanted to remove my gallbladder, one wanted to cover my entire abdomen with mesh, keep me in the hospital for 6 days during flu season and the 3rd went through an existing scar and had me home the same day.
She actually told me the OR was cracking up when they found the problem and it was fixed with a single stitch.
My point is, don't rush into a surgery until you feel comfortable with the surgeon. Unless it is causing you tremendous pain, that makes it an emergency that should be dealt with sooner than later but, don't rush.