This Surgery Helps Millions Get Back to Normal Life

It often starts with something small. A weird tug in your stomach. A lump you only notice when you’re standing. Maybe you brush it off, until it doesn’t go away. That’s how many people discover they have a hernia. It’s not life-threatening at first, but it’s also not something you want to ignore.

What is a hernia? A hernia happens when something inside your body pushes through a weak spot in your muscles, kind of like a balloon poking through a hole in a tire. Most happen in the belly or groin, and they usually show up as a bump or bulge.

They’re not always painful at first, which tends to be a part of the problem. A hernia might just feel weird or uncomfortable when you cough, lift something heavy or get out of bed. But over time, they can grow and cause more discomfort and, in some cases, become dangerous.

“Hernias are incredibly common, but most people don’t even know that they have one until it affects their everyday life,” said Donald Tomasello, MD, a board-certified surgeon at AtlantiCare who treats them regularly.

Dr. Tomasello explains, “It’s often a mix of pressure from the inside and weakness in the muscle wall. That’s why it’s so common in people who lift heavy objects for work, or even after something as simple as sneezing hard.”

Not all hernias need surgery right away but they also don’t go away on their own. Doctors will sometimes “watch and wait” if the hernia is small and not causing pain. But once it starts interfering with daily life -- or worse, becomes stuck or strangled, meaning it traps part of the intestine and cuts off blood flow -- surgery becomes necessary. “That’s a surgical emergency,” says Dr. Tomasello. “You don’t want it to get to that point.”

Surgery Today Isn’t What It Used to Be

Today, most hernias today are fixed using laparoscopic or robotic techniques which use smaller incisions and offer less pain and quicker recovery.

“Robotic surgery gives us better control and a clear view inside the body,” Dr. Tomasello explains. “It’s especially helpful for people who have had hernias before, or if the hernia is in a tricky spot.”

Dr. Tomasello says most patients are surprised by how smooth the process is. “They’re nervous at first and then they’re amazed by how quickly they bounce back,” he says.

Many people go home the same day. Within a couple of weeks, they’re back to doing most of their normal activities. Heavy lifting takes a little longer but it’s usually just a few weeks.

How to Keep It From Coming Back

While surgery can fix the problem, some lifestyle changes can help keep hernias from coming back:

• Don’t lift heavy things without help
• Lose extra weight, if needed
• Stop smoking, it weakens your muscles and slows healing
• Eat fiber to avoid straining
• Strengthen your core muscles (with your doctor’s OK)

Hernias may not be the hottest topic at the dinner table, but they are part of life and much easier to treat than many people think.

If something doesn’t feel right, don’t ignore it. A small bulge today could turn into a big problem tomorrow. And thanks to modern surgery, the fix is usually quick, safe and effective.