Hernia surgery : Top FAQs Answered by Medfin Experts

If you ignore hernia then it can become trapped in the abdominal wall. This can obstruct the bowel, nausea, vomiting, and the hernia can get strangulated. A strangulated hernia can be life-threatening and requires immediate surgery.

A hernia is a protrusion of a part of a tissue or an organ, beyond its original location and are of various types: Inguinal hernia occurs when a part of the intestine protrudes through weak lower abdominal wall-most often the inguinal canal (more common in men). Umbilical hernias are similar and occur in babies and children seen as a lump near the belly button. A hiatal or diaphragmatic hernia occurs when a part of the stomach tissue pushes through the diaphragm (a respiratory muscle in the chest area ). A ventral hernia is most often seen in the abdominal area.

A hernia can develop due to excessive strain during physical activity or may be present at birth, and can occur due to trauma from previous surgery.The risk factors for developing a hernia are:

• People who are older or obese.
• A baby being born prematurely or with lower birth weight.
• Tension to the abdominal muscles caused by excessive coughing especially in chronic conditions such as COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder).
• Constipation.
• Pregnancy(multiple).
• Personal or family history of hernias.

You will notice a lump or bulge in your belly or groin region. Kindly consult a doctor when you notice a bulge.

The only treatment option for hernia is surgery. It is advisable to consult a doctor if you have a hernia.

Hernias usually do not go away on their own (except for a few umbilical hernias) without proper medical care and become painful and larger in size. At times, the tissue involved in a hernia may become twisted to limit the blood supply and develop into strangulated hernia that requires urgent medical attention and treatment.

One must avoid excessive physical activity, eat a healthy diet, avoid smoking and treat any underlying chronic diseases by a suitable doctor to prevent the symptoms of the hernia from aggravating. The doctor might suggest some light exercises for better healing as well.

Care is given to relieve the symptoms in cases of smaller size hernias (e.g. supportive truss) under observation, But if it becomes too painful or larger in size, the doctor might suggest open surgery or laparoscopic surgical options. One must visit a general physician surgeon or surgical gastroenterologist  for further details.

Untreated hernias can obstruct bowel movements, permanently stick the organ out of the abdominal wall (incarceration), cause strangulation (which can be fatal) or pressurize surrounding tissues. These complications can be difficult to treat and cause huge pain and swelling. The hernia will continue to increase in size whenever there is a strain on the abdomen, it will pain every time you lift weight, cough, laugh, sneeze and even during your bowel movement.

Usually, doctors do not recommend hernia surgery for pregnant women and prefer to wait till childbirth. But sometimes they may suggest an emergency surgery during second trimester. However, the surgeon considers all possible scenarios before operating the hernia.

Generally, the hernia does not recur. But some patients develop incisional hernia later after months or years, which can be prevented by strictly following the doctor’s post-surgery instructions.

Sleep in an elevated position while keeping one or more pillows behind your back. Also, take assistance when necessary as well as when getting up and out of the bed and vice-versa.

A mesh may not be mandate in minimal tears but is always advised as a precautionary measure since the abdomen wall becomes weak after a hernia and there is an increased chance of recurrence without a mesh.

No, surgery is a must for treating hernias.

No, it is not malign and is also not an abnormal growth. It’s rather an organ that has slipped inside the muscle tear.

Lipoma is a bulge containing fatty deposits whereas hernia is a bulge containing one the internal organs like intestine.

Umbilical hernia - happens on the belly button.

Hiatal hernia - happens at the bottom of the rib cage.

Epigastric hernia - happens anywhere on the abdomen.

Inguinal hernia - happens near the pelvic region.

Femoral hernia - happens in the pelvic region (common in females).

Scrotal hernia - happens in the scrotum.

Incisional hernia - happens at the point where an incision was made in a previous laparoscopic surgery

The type of mesh and tacker used determines the cost of a hernia procedure. Mesh are of 3 quality - Dual mesh, polypropylene mesh and Titanium mesh. Tacker is of 2 quality - 25 tack machine and 15 tack machine.

The average cost of hernia treatment in India might differ based on a number of variables, including the type of procedure, the hospital or clinic chosen, the surgeon's fees, the area, and the patient's specific needs. 

The cost of hernia treatment in India can range from approximately ?30,000 to ?2,00,000 or more. This cost typically includes expenses related to diagnosis, surgical procedures, anesthesia, hospital stay (if required), and post-operative care.

It is important to note that these are rough estimates, and the actual cost may vary significantly based on the factors mentioned earlier. It is advisable to consult with healthcare providers or hospitals in your specific location in India to get more accurate estimates for hernia treatment based on your individual circumstances.

To access our platform, you can visit the official Medfin website (https://www.medfin.in/). Search for hernia specialists using the search function or navigate to the appropriate section on the website to find a list of hernia specialists. Medfin typically provides a comprehensive directory of qualified doctors and surgeons. You can scroll through multiple doctor profiles that include information about their qualifications, experience, areas of expertise, and patient reviews. This will help you assess their expertise in hernias and their patient satisfaction levels.

For hernia treatment, coverage eligibility can depend on several factors, including the severity and size of the hernia, the presence of other complications, and the recommendation of healthcare professionals. In cases where the hernia is causing significant discomfort, pain, or functional limitations, insurance coverage may be more likely. To determine your insurance coverage for hernia treatment, it's recommended to contact your insurance provider directly. They can provide you with specific information about your policy coverage, pre-authorization requirements, and any potential out-of-pocket expenses you may incur.

At Medfin, we are dedicated to providing cost-effective healthcare solutions to our patients . 

• Our asset-lite model helps us reduce overhead costs, leading to potential savings for patients.
• We offer interest-free EMI services , allowing patients to spread the cost of treatment without interest charges.
• Patients with health insurance coverage may access discounted rates or reduced co-pay amounts through Medfin.

Our goal is to make quality healthcare accessible and affordable. We provide transparent pricing and convenient payment options, ensuring that patients can save on hernia treatment while receiving excellent care.