What is a hernia?
A hernia is a protrusion of an organ or tissue through an abnormal opening in the body. Most hernias occur when a piece of intestine slips through a weakness in the abdominal wall, creating a bulge you can see and feel. Hernias can develop around the naval, in the groin or any place where you have had a surgical incision. Some hernias are present at birth, while others develop slowly over a period of months or even years. Hernias can also come on quite suddenly.

What does a tire have to do with it?
Think of your hernia as a bulge in a tire. The outer wall of the tire is like your abdominal wall and the inner tube of the tire is like your intestines. Most of the time the outer wall of the tire is strong enough to hold the inner tube, but if the wall weakens, a bulge may occur. Just like a hernia may form in a weakness of the abdominal wall.

What can I do to feel better?
The only cure for a hernia is surgery. There are two reasons for surgery:

• to prevent the hernia from becoming a more serious health risk
• to eliminate the pain that may be interfereing with your normal, everyday activities

How long is the procedure and will what size wil the incision be?
On average, this minimally invasice procedure usually takes between one to two hours to complete. Instead of five inch scars on each side of the pubic bone, laparoscopic hernia surgeries result in a few small incisions less than an inch long.

How soon after surgery can I go home?
Most patients are able to go home on the same day after surgery. Normal exertion will not jeopardize the repair. However, patients are advised to progress at their own pace, usually getting back to normal activities within 2–3 weeks. As with any surgical procedure, there is some risk of complication, but it is minimal. Be sure to discuss this further with your doctor before surgery.