If you are experiencing pain, discomfort, or a bulging in your abdomen or groin, you may have a Hernia.
Hernia repair surgery strengthens the weakened area of the abdominal wall, often using mesh, and can be performed using keyhole (laparoscopic) or open surgical techniques.
Dr Ali Rizvi is a FRACS qualified specialist hernia surgeon in Sydney providing personalised assessment and advanced surgical care.
A Hernia occurs when internal tissue or part of the bowel pushes through a weak area in the abdominal wall.
This weakness may be present from birth or develop over time due to:
Hernias do not heal on their own and may gradually increase in size or symptoms.
Common symptoms of a hernia include:
The most common type of hernia, occurring in the groin. More common in men.
Occurs lower in the groin. More common in women and carries a higher risk of complications.
Occur at or near the belly button.
Develop through a previous surgical incision or weakened abdominal wall.
Hernia repair may be recommended if you experience:
Surgery is the only definitive treatment for a hernia.
Hernia repair is performed under general anaesthesia and involves reinforcing the weakened abdominal wall, often using surgical mesh.
The most appropriate technique depends on hernia type, size, location, previous surgery, and patient factors.
Small incisions are made in the abdomen, and a camera (laparoscope) is used to guide the repair.
The hernia is repaired from behind the abdominal wall, and mesh is placed in the extraperitoneal (pre-muscle) plane to reinforce the weakness.
Benefits:
This approach is commonly used for bilateral or recurrent hernias.
An incision is made directly over the hernia site. The surgeon repairs the defect and places mesh to strengthen the abdominal wall.
This approach may be preferred for:
Recovery varies depending on the type of hernia and surgical approach.
Typical recovery timeline:
Patients are encouraged to gradually return to activity as guided by their surgeon.
As with any surgery, there are risks involved. These may include:
These risks are carefully discussed during consultation and consent.
A hernia is usually diagnosed through a physical examination. In some cases, ultrasound or CT imaging may be used if the diagnosis is unclear.
No. Hernias do not heal on their own and may slowly worsen over time.
It may increase in size and, in some cases, become trapped (incarcerated) or lose blood supply (strangulated), which is a medical emergency.
Most patients experience mild to moderate discomfort after surgery, which improves significantly within a few days.
Most patients return to desk work within 1–2 weeks, while physical jobs may require 2–4 weeks of recovery.
Mesh is commonly used because it reduces the risk of recurrence. In select cases, non-mesh repair may be considered.
The decision depends on hernia type, size, previous surgery, and patient health factors.
If you are experiencing symptoms of a hernia, early assessment is important to prevent complications and determine the most appropriate treatment.
Dr Ali Rizvi provides specialist hernia assessment and surgical care in Sydney.
Visit our Surgery in Sydney page to explore all general procedures offered by Dr Ali Rizvi and learn how we can help you with your surgical care.
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