When Do You Need Hernia Surgery?
Updated April 2025
At first, maybe you barely noticed it—a slight bulge in your abdomen. You may have even been able to “push it back” into place. But then came the dull ache and feeling of pressure on the area.
Suddenly, a sharp pain.
These are some of the typical symptoms of a hernia, which is a common condition, but also one that is often misunderstood.
But when do you need hernia surgery, and do all hernias need surgery?
At Conway Medical Center, we recognize that hernias must be carefully monitored, and that’s why we have a health care team dedicated to providing the care you need with compassion from physicians who are leaders in their field. If you believe you have a hernia, contact your primary care provider to have them evaluate your condition. We’ll work with them so your whole health care team can provide a care plan to alleviate your discomfort and distress.
In this article, we’ll examine what can cause your hernia, what type you may have and when hernias require surgical intervention. We’ll also explore our innovative robotic surgery, which has helped patients have minimally invasive hernia surgery with faster recovery time.
What Is a Hernia?
Your organs hold your muscles in place. On occasion, those muscles can break down, and one of your organs protrudes through the muscle wall. That’s a hernia.
While they can appear anywhere on your body, they are more common in the area between your chest and hips.
What Are the Signs You Have a Hernia?
Do you have a dull pain when lifting?
Do you see the protruding bulge that we mentioned earlier?
These could be indicators that you have a hernia.
Be aware: Swelling can also be a sign of a hernia. If left untreated, it may continue to grow and worsen, leading to increased pain.
That’s why it’s vital to contact your primary care provider when you are experiencing these signs and symptoms of a hernia.
When Do You Need Surgery for a Hernia?
What size is your hernia?
Fortunately, if it’s a small one—and it’s not growing—you won’t need immediate surgery as long as it’s not causing you pain and problems.
But don’t breathe a sigh of relief just yet–your hernia issue isn’t over.
Most of the time, hernias do get bigger, and it’s very likely that it will cause trouble down the road. Don’t try to continually delay surgery or “tough it out.”
Untreated hernias can lead to potentially serious complications.
Complications of an Untreated Hernia
One of those complications is strangulation. This occurs when the bulging tissue is squeezed by the muscle wall. As a result, the blood supply is cut off and the tissue begins to die.
Symptoms include:
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Fever
- Intensifying pain
- A bulge that turns red or purple
This is why we generally recommend surgery, even if your hernia does not appear to be causing you any trouble right now.
How Long Can You Wait to Have Hernia Surgery?
There is no one timeline for all hernias. When you need surgery depends upon a lot of factors including:
- How large the hernia is
- How long you’ve had it
- The type of hernia it is
- The extent of your symptoms
Even with smaller hernias, it’s crucial to be on the lookout for symptoms such as pain, difficulty passing stool, or swelling; these can be indicators of complications.
Will My Hernia Go Away on Its Own?
No, it’s important to remember that a hernia will not go away without some kind of intervention.
We recognize that no two patients are alike and there are various types of hernias. Therefore, the question “How long can you wait to have hernia surgery?” is best answered by your physician after evaluating your particular case.
Do All Hernias Need Surgery?
As we mentioned earlier, your hernia will not get better on its own and the longer it remains untreated, the more likely it is to grow and cause complications—some of which could be very serious.
Every hernia does not need immediate surgery, and in cases of smaller hernias with minor symptoms, you may be able to wait. However, because hernias typically get larger, all hernias need surgery.
While the hernia may not be causing extensive problems at present, there’s a high likelihood that it will create problems eventually. You don’t want to wait and take this risk.
When Does a Hernia Need Surgery?
Your doctor is your best resource as to when it’s time for your hernia to be removed. There are times when the need for surgery is more immediate. This is when you have symptoms such as:
- Pain
- Difficulty completing everyday activities
- A hernia that is growing larger
- Discomfort
There are also two situations—incarceration and strangulation—where immediate surgery is needed.
Incarceration occurs when the tissue is trapped and is unable to go back into the abdomen. Because this can cause serious complications like bowel obstruction, it’s important to have surgery as soon as possible.
We mentioned strangulation earlier. It is a medical emergency.
It occurs when the blood supply is cut off to part of the intestine or other tissue. It’s crucial to have immediate surgical intervention.
Symptoms of strangulation include:
- Fever
- Sudden, intense pain
- Nausea with or without vomiting
- A hernia bulge that transforms into the colors purple or red
- Inability to have a bowel movement
If you’re experiencing any of these symptoms, it’s vital to get medical attention immediately—go to the nearest emergency room.
Is My Hernia Large Enough for Surgery?
So, what if your hernia isn’t that big? Maybe you don’t need immediate surgery. But your hernia will likely grow into a larger one where intervention becomes more crucial.
The decision to have hernia surgery isn’t based on size alone. There are several other factors to consider. These include:
- The extent of your symptoms
- Your age
- Your overall health
- The type of hernia (some hernias are more prone to complications than others.)
- If your hernia is growing
How Do I Know If My Hernia Needs Surgery?
Because most hernias grow in size, it’s best to discuss your situation with your doctor so they can keep an eye on your condition. However, if you’re having symptoms that are affecting your everyday life, then surgery is warranted regardless of the size of your hernia.
Medium to large hernias larger than two centimeters are much more likely to require surgery, especially if they are causing pain or discomfort.
Remember: The larger a hernia becomes, the more likely it is to require surgical intervention.
What Are the Different Types of Hernia?
Not sure about what type of hernia you have? We’ll outline some of the most common hernias. These include:
An inguinal hernia
In men, this is located in the groin area. In women, this is in the area affecting the ligament that supports the uterus. Men are more likely to have an inguinal hernia than women.
A femoral hernia
Located in your inner thigh, this hernia is made of fatty tissue or part of the intestine.
Umbilical hernia
In this case, the hernia protrudes from the belly button.
Hiatal hernia
In a hiatal hernia, the stomach pushes through the chest cavity. This means there is a hole or opening in the diaphragm. The diaphragm is a muscle that separates the abdomen from your chest. The most common hernias are inguinal or femoral.
What Types of Surgical Techniques for Hernia Repair Are Options for Me?
Concerned about having surgery? We understand. It can be an intimidating venture, but we want to ensure you that you are in good hands with our surgical team.
During your surgery, we’ll place the material that is “leaking” out into its proper position, and then stitch it back together. If the muscle is weak, a mesh may also be added for support.
Fortunately, with our state-of-the-art equipment, we can perform hernia surgeries laparoscopically with the aid of the daVinci Surgical Robot.
This incredible piece of medical technology connects the surgeon’s hand movements to small medical instruments. As a result, he or she has an unobstructed view of the surgical area. All surgery is done through a sophisticated computer interface.
The result?
Patients can have surgery with only a few small incisions as opposed to a longer “open” incision.
The daVinci Robot is perfect for hernia repair. It’s also used for:
- Removing the gallbladder
- Conducting weight loss surgery
- Removing all or part of a kidney
- Reconstructing a kidney
- Removing all or part of the prostate.
Conway Medical Center: A Partner in Your Care
Our medical team is dedicated to your health. We are pleased to be able to offer elective surgeries, and we want you to know that we are taking every precaution to ensure your safety and well-being.
It’s important that you don’t delay in scheduling an appointment for your surgery, as a delay can cause more serious complications later. Talk to your primary care provider for more information.
Robot Surgery Giving Grand Strand Hernia Patients More Options, Quicker Recovery Times
We briefly touched base on our robotic surgery and how it’s revolutionizing the way we treat those with hernia problems.
Next, we’ll take a closer look at the procedure through the eyes of someone who has struggled with a hernia. The following article by Conner Ingalls originally appeared on WPDE ABC 15 News:
FLORENCE, S.C. (WPDE) – Bob Peddycord is, unfortunately, no stranger to hernias. He had his first surgery to repair one in the 1980’s.
“Just to tell it like it is, that’s probably the most lengthy, painful recovery time that I’ve ever had after any surgery,” Peddycord said. “Had to take three weeks off, really felt like I should’ve taken a fourth week off before I went back.”
That’s what makes the procedure he had done earlier this year so remarkable. Peddycord is one of the first few dozen patients able to have a hernia repaired with the help of robot surgery at Conway Medical Center.
“I can’t imagine how quick I was back up and running at full speed,” Peddycord said.
Dr. Aaron Epstein is a general surgeon at CMC. He is also no stranger to hernias.
“I fix probably close to 300 hernias a year,” Dr. Epstein said.
He says patients can’t wrap their heads around what this new technology is capable of.
“Some of them are actually not even believing they had surgery,” Dr. Epstein said. “It’s like I can’t even believe you fixed this and it’s gone.”
You can understand why patients are having a hard time believing it. The process sounds like something out of a sci-fi movie.
“Basically our forearms, our wrists, and our fingers are placed into a device,” Dr. Epstein said. “When I move my fingers, the robot fingers move, when I move my wrist, the robot wrist moves, when I move my arms, the robot arms move.”
But Dr. Epstein says it’s also very much the real deal. The robots allow him a better vantage point than he’s ever had to perform surgery.
“With the robot procedure we’re able to go in through teeny little flank incisions and fix these hernias minimally invasively,” Dr. Epstein said. “So imagine my little hands miniaturized through teeny holes and then put in your belly with a camera, and then my teeny hands go in there and fix things through these little holes.”
As cool as the tech is, the best part is what it allows for patients after surgery. Dr. Esptein says operations that used to result in weeks of recovery are now seeing patients get back on their feet in no time.
“The amount of discomfort is far less with the robotic procedure,” Dr. Epstein said. “Now I’m able to go in with the robot, fix these hernias, and send my patients home with just non-steroidal anti-inflammatories, in other words non-narcotic drugs, and they’re up and moving around the very next day.”
Peddycord is a testament to that. You remember him talking about weeks of pain after his first hernia? Things were a lot different after his second.
“Took three days off after the surgery before I went back to work,” Peddycord said. “And really felt like I could’ve gone back after two days…it’s just amazing stuff.”
Of course, Dr. Epstein stresses all hernias are different, and recovery times will always vary. But there’s no disputing this technology is creating a host of new possibilities for hernia patients.
Repost of story published by WPDE on November 22, 2019 by Conner Ingalls
When You Need Hernia Surgery, Conway Medical Center’s Robotic Technology Provides Faster Recovery
If you have a hernia, it’s very likely that it will continue to get worse. To avoid the sometimes serious complications that can occur, it’s vital to speak with your primary care physician who can provide timely treatment and refer you to a surgeon when needed.
At Conway Medical Center, our daVinci surgical robot is giving Horry County and Myrtle Beach residents more options than ever for quicker recovery times. If you have a hernia, please contact your physician, so we can create a tailored treatment plan.
Key Takeaways:
- A hernia occurs when one of your organs protrudes through the muscle wall.
- Symptoms of a hernia include:
- Sharp pain
- Dull aches
- Discomfort or pain, especially when lifting
- A protruding bump
- Most of the time, even small hernias can grow, so all hernias will eventually need medical intervention.
- Delaying medical intervention for your hernia can lead to serious consequences, including incarceration and strangulation.
- There are several types of hernias, including:
- Inguinal hernia
- Femoral hernia
- Umbilical hernia
- Hiatal hernia
- Some types of hernia are more likely to lead to complications than others, so it is vital that you seek assistance from your healthcare provider if you have any type of hernia, regardless of its size.
- At Conway Medical Center, we can perform your hernia surgery laparoscopically thanks to our state-of-the-art robotic surgical technology.
The information in this article and the other articles on this website is for educational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. If you have questions or concerns, please contact your healthcare provider.
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