Having a hernia can have a dramatic effect on your lifestyle. Some can be without any symptoms and others can be extremely painful, and there is no way to predict how one will affect you. We will consider when and if to have hernia surgery as well as if hernia surgery necessary.
Is It OK to Put Off Hernia Treatment?
We all have those things we think we can put on the back burner for a while. As long as there are no serious consequences, we figure it’s OK. Putting off a hernia surgery MAY be OK for a while, but that decision must be made in consultation with an experienced hernia surgeon like Michigan Hernia Surgery in Royal Oak.
Here are the facts:
- Hernias do not repair themselves.
- Hernias will not just go away on their own.
- Waiting too long can cause a medical emergency.
- It is better to take control and choose the time for surgical repair that fits into your schedule, and find an excellent surgeon.
What About The “Wait And See” Approach?
The team at Michigan Hernia Surgery may suggest this if your hernia is small, and you are not experiencing any symptoms. If it is not affecting your life activities, and you are able to push it back in place with no problems, this “watchful waiting” approach may be recommended. It is important that you stay in touch with your doctor on a regular basis. Any changes or increased symptoms should be reported immediately.
Larger hernias may not need to be repaired immediately.
There are certain situations where your doctor may advise not to perform surgery or to put it off. It may be because the patient’s age and health conditions make it too risky to do surgery.
How Do I Know If Hernia Surgery Is Necessary?
It is necessary and time to have hernia surgery under the following conditions:
- When you have consistent pain
- When the hernia is growing larger
- When you are having trouble with everyday activities
Waiting too long can cause two serious situations: incarceration and strangulation.
- Incarceration happens when the tissue gets trapped and you can’t push it back into your abdomen. This can lead to bowel obstruction and surgery must be performed as soon as possible.
- Strangulation is a medical emergency. The blood supply is cut off to part of the intestine. Symptoms of this complication include: fever, intense pain, nausea, the bulge turns purple or red, and you cannot move your bowels.
The Bottom Line
You may not need to have surgery immediately, but eventually you will. Don’t procrastinate so long that surgery becomes an emergency.
Contact Michigan Hernia Surgery at (248) 551-9090 for an evaluation and whether you need to have hernia surgery sooner rather than later—and why.
Sources: Does A Hernia Always Need to Be Repaired? (minimallyinvasivesurgeryfl.com)
Hernia Surgery: Types, What To Expect, Recovery & Complications (clevelandclinic.org)
Do You Need Hernia Surgery? Look For These Symptoms. (conwaymedicalcenter.com)
