It may appear as a new lump in the groin or other abdominal area.
It may ache but is not tender when touched.
Sometimes pain precedes the discovery of the lump.
The lump increases in size when standing or when abdominal pressure is increased (such as coughing).
Signs and symptoms of bowel obstruction may occur, such as nausea and vomiting that is so dangerous.
If you have an obvious hernia, the doctor may not require any other tests.
If you have symptoms of a hernia such as dull ache in groin or other body area with lifting or straining but without an obvious lump, the doctor may feel the area while increasing abdominal pressure (having you stand or cough).
If you have an inguinal hernia, the doctor will feel for the potential pathway and look for a hernia by inverting the skin of the scrotum with his or her finger.
Surgery is the only treatment and cure for inguinal hernia. Laparoscopic surgery can be used as an option for repairing inguinal hernia. Your doctor makes several small incisions (usually two to three) in the abdominal wall around the hernia. The space is inflated with carbon dioxide gas and a telescope inserted into the space. The muscle defect is revealed and the sac of the inguinal hernia is pulled back into this space. A piece of flexible mesh is then slid down the large port and maneuvered so as to cover the hole in the muscle and also all other potential areas where inguinal hernia can occur in this area. If the surgery is not performed, colon may be entered into the hernia bulge, which will lead to intestinal obstruction. In these conditions, surgery is more complex and has more complications.
Inform your doctor if you have a heart condition, diabetes, or take special medication.
If you regularly use blood thinners, aspirin, or anti-inflammatory you should talk to your surgeon to discuss temporarily stopping these medications before surgery. It can cause excessive bleeding at the time of surgery. You may take acetaminophen for pain.
Do not eat anything after midnight before your surgery.
Drink juices, vitamin waters, water, and other clear liquids a day before your surgery. Avoid soda pop and dark liquids, such as coffees.
Don’t have activities which increase your intra-abdominal pressure to the point where your bowel might herniate.
Shower before surgery. Although laparoscopic surgery is minimally invasive, there is always a risk of infection. Showering either the night before or the morning of surgery helps reduce this risk.
You may use ice to incisional sites post-operatively to decrease pain and swelling days 1 to 3. It is not at all uncommon for patient to have swelling and bruising at incisions.
You may take a shower 48 hours after your surgery. First, remove the binder. Next, cover the dressing. Do not allow the dressing to get wet or soaked.
You can resume activity slowly but you may not engage in strenuous activity or heavy lifting until cleared by physician.
Eat high fiber foods and avoid greasy, fried, or spicy foods also avoid drinks such as Colas, Sprite, etc.
Contact your physician if you have any problems such as prolonged nausea and vomiting, temperature elevations above 101.5 or other difficulties.
