How long can you delay hernia surgery?

Many people are able to delay surgery for months or even years. And some people may never need surgery for a small hernia. If the hernia is small and you don’t have any symptoms, or if the symptoms don’t bother you much, you and your doctor may simply continue to watch for symptoms to occur.

How long can you go with a hernia before having surgery?

Research shows that most people with hernias have surgery within 10 years. Keep in mind that delaying surgery until your hernia is larger and the muscles are weaker may make surgery and recovery more difficult.

What happens if a hernia is left unattended?

“Hernias cannot heal on their own — if left untreated, they usually get bigger and more painful, and can cause serious health risks in some cases.” If the wall through which the intestine is protruding closes shut, it can cause a strangulated hernia, which cuts off blood flow to the bowel.

What happens if an inguinal hernia is not treated?

If you aren’t able to push the hernia in, the contents of the hernia may be trapped (incarcerated) in the abdominal wall. An incarcerated hernia can become strangulated, which cuts off the blood flow to the tissue that’s trapped. A strangulated hernia can be life-threatening if it isn’t treated.

Is it okay to delay hernia surgery?

Unless a hernia is causing you distress or limiting your activities, you can safely delay repair. A dull ache and a lump in the groin or scrotum—these are the typical signs of an inguinal (groin) hernia.

How urgent is hernia surgery?

Incarcerated Hernia – Some patients show up with a hernia that can not be pushed back in, with or without severe pain. Patients without severe pain can have urgent surgery within a few weeks. Patients with severe pain often need emergency surgery and are best evaluated in an emergency room.

Can a hernia turn septic?

A strangulated hernia occurs when the blood supply to the herniated tissue has been cut off. This strangulated tissue can release toxins and infection into the bloodstream, which could lead to sepsis or death. Strangulated hernias are medical emergencies. Any hernia can become strangulated.

Should I wait to have surgery for my hernia?

If your hernia does not bother you, most likely you can wait to have surgery. Your hernia may get worse, but it may not. Over time, hernias tend to get bigger as the muscle wall of the belly gets weaker and more tissue bulges through. In some cases small, painless hernias never need repair.

What should I know about hernia repair?

Key points to remember. Only surgery can repair a hernia. Many people are able to delay surgery for months or even years. And some people may never need surgery for a small hernia. If the hernia is small and you don’t have any symptoms, or if the symptoms don’t bother you much, you and your doctor may simply continue to watch for symptoms to occur.

Can a hernia be pushed back into the belly?

The hernia can be pushed back into the belly or it goes away when you lie down. (If it cannot be pushed back, surgery must be done sooner.) You are taking medicines such as blood thinners that cannot be stopped for surgery. You have other health problems that make surgery dangerous.

How long can a hernia go untreated without surgery?

How long a hernia can go ‘safely’ untreated without surgery is so individualized! There is no single formula to calculate it since each case varies. It can take a few months or years, depending on several factors.