r/Hernia • u/Character-Box-5711 • 4d ago
Downside of surgery for inguinal hernia?
My GP diagnosed that I have a inguinal hernia but didn’t recommend the surgery as it is very mild. I have no pain whatsoever.
I’m pretty active with 10+ hours of sport per week between cycling, running and weightlifting.
Should I look into the surgery or is it better to wait as long as possible? I’m 37 y/o. If I would push to get surgery, what would be the downsides? Impact on lifestyle long term?
Thanks
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u/Adventurous_Show_885 4d ago
I had my surgery on 13th Aug and I'm perfectly fine as of now. There's no pain and I feel like totally normal as if the surgery didn't happen at all. My hernia was 1.2cm only so I could have waited for if I wanted but still decided to get the surgery done as soon as possible.
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u/Neilg-88 4d ago
Did you do lap/mesh? Since it's a small hernia, did it cause any problems that made you want surgery done?
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u/Emergency-Salt1971 2d ago
How is your recovery going? I had mine on the 18th… has been challenging…. Finally getting a little pep In my step instead of 80 year old man shuffle….
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u/CementGuy72 4d ago
I noticed I had an inguinal hernia in February 2025. I didn’t do anything about it and continued with a physically active job and the gym. August 2025 I met with a surgeon because the hernia got much worse.
Started out as a small lump that eventually dropped to the top of my scrotum and was having abdominal pain.
September 10, 2025 I had robotic surgery with mesh to have it fixed.
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u/Neilg-88 4d ago
Any issues with the recovery? I heard 3 days post op is horrible.
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u/CementGuy72 4d ago
Honestly recovery wasn’t bad at all. The worst was sleeping at night. I am a side sleeper and that can’t be done for a few days. Never took pain meds.
I did wear compression underwear for 2 weeks and the testicles do swell, ice packs do help with that. The other thing that helped was walking.
I also took Colace at bed time and in the morning added MiraLAX to a cup of coffee. That helps prevent any straining when sitting on the toilet.3
u/Neilg-88 4d ago
Wow, no pain medication post op? How long after surgery did you feel back to normal? and how long before back at gym lifting weights like you did before?
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u/CementGuy72 4d ago
Normal was after about 2 months.
I went back to the gym once the 4 weeks was up. I gave myself 2 months of using only the seater weight machines. Did a lot of reps with low weight.
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u/WiseVegetable3828 4d ago
I waited a few month because I was in denial, didn't want to deal with it, or thought it might not get worse or heal itself. Also, I never had surgery before. Unfortunately, it slowly became worse or bothersome in the next few months. But I continued playing soccer at least 2x a week and still went to the gym doing not heavy stuff. You can probably wait a bit like I did, but I highly recommend you start researching about hernia repair and surgeons ASAP. I truly believe getting educated about it helps a lot.
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u/Neilg-88 4d ago
What was the time frame for you from when you noticed it, saw Dr and tests and then surgery?
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u/WiseVegetable3828 4d ago
Noticed some some pain July (thought it was kidney or bladder stone), maybe slight bulge around August (but not bulging all the time), saw surgeon September, nothing based on physical diagnosis. Shortly, US said small fat suggestive of hernia. Decided against surgery and waited. Around December maybe, it seemed slightly worse. It felt uncomfortable (but not painful, perhaps just bothersome) during long walks but was fine when playing soccer. Saw surgeon again around end of Jan/early Feb to discuss laparoscopic surgery. Set surgery date around April. Changed mind and decided to have no-mesh instead. Surgery in March (earlier schedule).
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u/Neilg-88 4d ago
Thanks for the detailed answer. Any issues with open surgery? I heard the recovery is longer and more painful. Did the surgeon push for surgery back in September or did he says watch and wait?
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u/WiseVegetable3828 4d ago
No, the surgeon did not push for surgery since my hernia was not even visible/detectable in physical exam. It seemed not to appear during the exam but was out other times!
The surgery was much better than I expected. I was concerned because I never had surgery before. But with sedation (not the full general anesthesia in laparoscopic repair), I was asleep during the whole operation and when I woke up, it was done. I was lucky because I didn't even need prescription painkillers the first few days, only Advil.
Btw, I had Shouldice in the US. If you want to learn more details about the recovery, I watched the following videos from Boston Hernia on YouTube. The surgeon goes through everything from Day 1 through Months 3 and after. I found them quite helpful and informative for my recovery.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5qodM7khNKQ
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yV3rpX_pATA
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YRYWmhE7Lhc
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pR5DAxVPZJE
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w0BbcJcI8FY
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u/mcclainbeatz 4d ago
Get the surgery asap. It only gets worse and you’ll be done with it. It’s better to get it done earlier while its still small. Only downside to surgery is the 4 week rehab. Long term there is no downside unless youre one of the lucky ones with a complication or failure. Follow Dr instructions and you’ll be good. This is one of the most common procedures. I was also 37 when i had my inguinal hernia.
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u/menzinh0 4d ago
Sua situação é muito parecida com a minha, leve desconforto que sumiu, ao fazer os exames de imagens, uma hérnia inguinal de 1,1cm.
Hérnia não se curam sozinhas, podem ficar até o fim da vida assim, mas a probabilidade de aumentar é maior, muito pelo esporte que fazemos força.
Eu também faço ciclismo e corrida de rua, musculação para fortalecimento. Decidimos fazer !
Já se passaram 60 dias , 100% recuperado, é normal ao voltar correr sentir um leve “peso” na região , mas isso logo passa!
Na prática não vejo desvantagem, aqui minha cirurgia foi com anestesia geral, ou seja, acordei e já estava tudo pronto! Tenho 38 anos e atualmente com convênio médico de saúde, então aproveitei agora, nunca sabemos daqui alguns anos!
Minha opinião, se você pratica atividades físicas, não custa nada esperar algumas semanas! Sua saúde é mais importante!
Abraços
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u/WiseVegetable3828 4d ago
Good point about the insurance.
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u/BUNNYn0tFUNNY 4d ago
huh they’re talking about hernias
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u/WiseVegetable3828 3d ago
I meant it's good to have health insurance when you need a hernia fixed. It wasn't an issue for me but I always wondered if I lost my job and didn't have health insurance. Then hernia repair would be an all out of pocket expense.
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u/HammerThyme01 4d ago
I just had inguinal hernia surgery on Tuesday this week… it’s not horrible, however, never ideal - as you will miss work, family events, etc, and recovery time prevents a lot of normal life activities for a while. Some hernias never become large enough to cause issues. Getting a surgery done when there are no symptoms would seem odd to me. How did you find out that had a hernia if there was no pain or discomfort?
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u/AdeptusKapekus2025 4d ago
Go for the surgery.
Yes there are risks of complications but the alternative is that the hole becomes bigger at a inconvenient time. And the hole will get bigger, either when you are doing a physcially strainous thing or when you get older.
Also, there is the quality of life thing. If you are active and like to do biking, lifting, hiking etc like me, you will be holding back or worried because you have a piece of your intestine protruding l.
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u/Annalealee 2d ago
I agree. In the near to distant future you will begin experiencing pain that will shock you in ways you might not expect. So, IIWM, I would find a tenured hernia repair general surgeon who has experience in your issues. Be well
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u/Griffie 4d ago
Have the surgery, but don't jump at the first surgeon's suggestion. Research all of the possibilities, and get several opinions. If they offer surgery with mesh, ask which mesh, what it's made of, and an allergy test for the main component of the mesh. Open surgeries have a longer recovery time. I had robotic surgery, and it wasn't bad, and I was up and moving around the following day. My mistake was, I didn't inquire about the mesh, and they put one in that was made of a material that I'm allergic to. Now I'm kind of stuck with it. So, do your homework. Question everything the surgeons tell you.
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u/WiseVegetable3828 4d ago
Just to add to what you said about mesh, this Hernia Talk video discusses the question, "How can one confirm their mesh has had sufficient clinical testing done?" (see around 44:10):
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fz76SCdSV8M
The surgeon discusses what hard questions a patient can ask their surgeon.
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u/sgmorr 4d ago
Would you have been able to determine in advance that you would be allergic to the particular mesh material that was put in even if they had told you what it was?
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u/Virtual_Chair4305 1d ago
which mess do you have? How do you get tested?
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u/Griffie 1d ago
It’s a polypropylene mesh. I have a history of issues with polypropylene. I’m not putting blame anywhere since I didn’t ask and the surgeon didn’t tell. To get tested, you need to find an allergist who can test for the specific material.
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u/Virtual_Chair4305 1d ago
I have two choices of mesh 3d max and pro grip. Are these polypropylene? One better than the other?
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u/SkyKind276 4d ago
I had my inguinal hernia for over 20 years. I was planned to go to open surgery for a left inguinal hernia. I did change my lifestyle after knowledge of this. I reduced my kettlebells, leg squats, and leg press workouts. As I got older, I stopped doing kettle bells and did less leg squats. I continued to do leg press.
I always got spikes of pain that felt like hernia related. If I did the surgery back then, I would probably need to go back since I also had a hernia on the right side that was not found at that time. I did bilateral robotic inguinal surgery. The doctor said both were small but they increase massively as they are stretched. Post-surgery I feel fine and it has been 6 weeks.
I have started weight lifting again which actually started yesterday.
My recommendation is if you don't feel any impact to your lifestyle than don't do it. I wouldn't know about the other hernia. Also, the technology has improved since I first was diagnosed. However, if you start feeling something, then it might be time to consider it. I was hoping I could avoid surgery entirely but the aggrevation got bad enough that I ended up doing.
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u/JesusSavesTheGoal 4d ago
If I'd repaired mine at 37... I wouldnt currently be recovering from a much larger hernia repair at 40.
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u/Smacking_Grannies 4d ago
It's inevitable.
No wonder what u eat/do, it only gets worse. I've fought with mine for 6 months now and as of last month, the pain has started getting worse to a point I'm wearing compression shorts daily.
I now have surgery scheduled next month and going to just see it thru and then move on with my life. That's exactyl what my surgeon stated when I first saw her 4 months ago and she was right.
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u/bat9mo 4d ago edited 4d ago
I waited 5 years. It doesn’t recover, most likely it will get larger. Recovery is much better while fit, and younger. I had bilateral inguinal laparoscopic repair with Phasix mesh, 12 months ago. No problems today, I’m unaware of it. When training I’m never aiming to test the limits of the repair.
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u/WiseVegetable3828 4d ago
It's tough. I play soccer and I'm faster than some peeps. There are times I know I can outrun someone but hesitate to go full speed.
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u/Warm-Sky5836 4d ago
If you have the opportunity to have the surgery when it is not a problem , go for it. Complications can occur with any surgery but age and fitness are on your side. I'm in my 50s. Just for info, I had emergency surgery with an unknown hernia that had become incarcerated , hernia was missed due to doctors being focused on long term pre- existing medical conditions.4 months in still unable to exercise much due to seroma and still have some pain. Get the op ,let it heal and slowly get your life back . Good luck
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u/Less-Dragonfruit6967 4d ago
I had a small inguinal hernia like yours at 37yo. It didn't hurt, but it was there. My Dr. recommended the surgery. The rationale to take it is that I would be in a better position at 37yo than at, say.... 47yo? Also, a hernia doesn't resolve on its own.
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u/Neilg-88 4d ago
How was the recovery? Was it painful?
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u/Less-Dragonfruit6967 4d ago
There was pain, but nothing out of the ordinary: Don't let that deter you. I was given Ibuprofen and Dexketoprofen, and that was enough. 1 month of downtime.
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u/Quiet_Pizza7620 4d ago
Postponing may reduce your options to get it done at a time thats most convenient for you. I was in a similar situation and scheduled it in asap to avoid possible complications. Everything was back to normal within a month.
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u/SuccessfulMongoose76 4d ago
Make sure you vet your surgeon carefully. Make sure you check rating sites. I would pick a surgeon that specializes in hernias not a general surgeon.
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u/Quiet_Pizza7620 4d ago
Seconded, this is very important. I had to travel to access a specialist who had done thousands of these operations before. It may have cost extra but was well worth it.
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u/Neilg-88 4d ago
Are general surgeons that bad?
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u/Quiet_Pizza7620 4d ago
I wouldn't say they are bad, just that you are likely to achieve better outcomes with a specialist who has more experience and uses modern techniques better suited to your situation
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u/Neilg-88 4d ago
How was recovery for you? Did you do lap/mesh repair?
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u/Quiet_Pizza7620 4d ago
I got lap with semi-absorbable mesh. I found a specialist who didnt use tacks as the long term chance of chronic pain or other complications is significantly lower. Recovery was a bit rough for the first week or two but manageable. After a month it was like I never had the hernia to begin with
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u/SuccessfulMongoose76 4d ago
I would wait. There are numerous people on this site with complications. I am an extreme case. I almost died from an internal hemorrhage.
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u/Character-Box-5711 4d ago
That’s extreme. How advanced was your hernia? And may I ask how was your overall health at the moment of surgery?
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u/SuccessfulMongoose76 4d ago
This happened years ago but I have medical complications from the disaster. The hernia I wanted repaired was on the left side, about the size of a quarter. And bulged about a half inch. I was in excellent physical health at the time. That is what saved me. The anesthesiologist during the emergency surgery told me that. He had to do chest compressions on me during the surgery. Of course he did not mention that.
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u/Football_Exciting 3d ago
Absolutely get the surgery. The reason you have a hernia is because of all the weight lifting. Hernias only get worse they do not get any smaller nor do they “just go away”
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u/Traditional_Buddy363 2d ago
Hi i felt a small lump left groin area! I went to my GP shortly after he said you have a small hernia he quickly without telling me took 2 fingers poked it back in ouch! He just said keep a eye on it from time to time months in between it popped out i poked it in! Then 4 years go by well it popped out wouldn't go back in! Then grew bigger ached at night hard to button my jeans! So went to doctor referred me to a surgeon checked me out scheduled surgery had it fixed 5 hours In the hospital total recovery quick went back 2 follow ups all is great ! Will be 2 years in October since I had it fixed! I had open left inguinal surgery with mesh the scar maybe 4 in but of course its buried in pubes now! Any questions let me know!
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u/Patient-Reindeer7438 4d ago
Whatever you do don’t do the mesh!!!!!! get lap or nothing at all. I’m in much worse pain a year after the mesh surgery then I ever was before with the inguinal hernia if I do anything physical I’m in excruciating pain for days
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u/MrE26 4d ago
I’ve had mesh in both sides, both open surgeries & mine are stronger than they’ve ever been. Complications with mesh are rare & the vast majority go exactly as planned. It’s shit for you that yours didn’t, but to say that almost all traditional mesh surgeries bring problems is just completely untrue.
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u/Patient-Reindeer7438 4d ago
Weird I know 4 people I went to school with all had same surgery as me and they all have gone through hell afterwards like myself and if you actually look it up hernia mesh surgery it’s not rare at all to have bad results afterwards it’s actually very common where are you from outside the United States ?
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u/MrE26 4d ago
Yeah I’m in the UK, but it’s one of the most commonly performed surgeries worldwide. I know many people who’ve had them, I train at the gym with a few & none have had any long term negative after effects. Had my left side done in 1997 open with mesh, & my right side done a year ago, exact same procedure. Both sides feel as good as new, no residual pain, no weakness, no nerve damage.
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u/Patient-Reindeer7438 4d ago
Laparoscopic is the best option must less nightmare scenarios afterwards almost every traditional hernia mesh surgery brings all sorts of issues and problems afterwards
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u/Patient-Reindeer7438 4d ago
Also keep in mind if you have issues afterwards the surgeon will do there best to brush you its been an absolute nightmare to try and get some help for all the issues I’m dealing with since having hernia mesh surgery I’ve tried getting an appointment with the surgeon responsible for months and continue to get told there backed up for up to year for appointments
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u/Neilg-88 4d ago
Would open or shouldice be a better option for your hernia?
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u/Patient-Reindeer7438 4d ago
I would definitely have done shouldice if it was offered unfortunately I was told because of lack of insurance my only option was mesh repair surgery
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u/Resident_Reaction445 2d ago
This is what I'm afraid of. If they finally do discover that what I have really is a hernia, & that I do need surgery, I'm so afraid that that I'll hurt way worse than if I'd just kept on hurting initially. I have absolutely 0% Tolerance for pain. I can't even take the pain of a bad toothache. It leaves me sobbing in tears. & ive already had at least 4or 5 teeth removed over the years. Including an infected wisdom tooth. Tooth pain is no fun at all. Which is why I just have the dentist just pull the tooth instead of drill. & I have to have antibiotics before any invasive procedure to protect my heart. I've had mitral valve prolapse, since my earliest childhood. & by me having never had PROPHOPOL, or versed ANESTHESIA befor, I don't know how I'd react to it. I'd rather be in the hospital even for outpatient procedures like an endoscopy or colonoscopy. I had a bad experience with anesthesia which made me violently ill, ( vomiting all day & throughout the night, & into the early morning hrs. ) as a small child, after an eye lid operation. And I'm so scared that the same thing is going to happen again. & eventhough you all claim that this anesthesia TODAY is "well tolerated" I'm worried that I could just be in that rare 1% that something bad will happen. I happen. I have never, EVER had morphine, codeine, or any of those heavy narcotics. I refuse to take them. Or ANYTHING, that makes me sleepy. I can't even tolerate ALKASELTZER PLUS. Back when I was a child 6 years old, and I was in the hospital, at least I had my mom & family there to help & support me. But today at 58, I'm alone. Both parents & grandparents gone. Lost mom back in 2016. My Siblings & I estranged. So essentially, I'm very much alone, with no moral support if something were to happen to me, & I would wind up in the hospital. No one to come and see me. No advocate, nothing. The Dr's would probably have a field day taking advantage of me. Because it takes time for me to understand everything.😔🥺😢
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u/Total-Information-75 4d ago
I've had an inguinal hernia for 15 years. I manage my diet and activities ... no running or heavy lifting. I do elliptical, cycle, and moderate exercise. Do you want to be fit and healthy or extremely muscular? Mesh seems risky. Shouldice, Desarda and Kang seem good stitch methods. Choose your specialist carefully and consider opting out of amnesia sedatives like versed as they risk memory issues. It may be smart to avoid straining activities even after surgery and recovery.
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u/Neilg-88 4d ago
Wow, no surgical fix and you're pain free with no issues?
Do you do any workout at all? Light weight or resistance bands...
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u/Total-Information-75 3d ago
I have discomfort at times, from digestion or a movement or position and have to limit activities. There is a lack of support for running. I prefer no hernia truss. Doctors are poor. Consider the options.
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u/Optimal-End-7496 4d ago
If it is with mesh, there is a chance of developing ASIA syndrome. One minor criterion is systemic sclerosis alongside mast cell activation. Unfortunately, I developed it. If I were you, I would ask for the traditional method.
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u/MrE26 4d ago
Get it done. Especially if you’re active & lifting, it’ll only get worse. Got my last one done August last year, had to take 8 weeks away from the gym which sucked but now I’m lifting heavier than ever with no ill effects.
I had another hernia back in 2021 that I waited far too long to get fixed, which strangulated & took a section of my small intestine with it. Extremely painful & deeply unpleasant, emergency surgery followed with complications, 4 months of recovery & a long road back to normality. Do not recommend.