Inguinal hernia
Develops in the groin where abdominal tissue can push through the inguinal canal. It may occur on one or both sides.
Hernia Care in Suffolk County, New York
Personalized Hernia Surgery
Evaluation and treatment for inguinal, umbilical, ventral, incisional, and recurrent hernias—with open, laparoscopic, and robotic-assisted options considered according to each patient’s diagnosis.
Understanding abdominal wall hernias
Common locations highlighted for patient education
What Is a Hernia?
A weakness or opening in the body wall
A hernia occurs when tissue pushes through a weakened area of muscle or connective tissue. It may appear as a bulge that becomes more noticeable while standing, coughing, lifting, or straining.
Some hernias cause only pressure or discomfort. Others enlarge, interfere with activity, or become trapped. Hernias generally do not close on their own, but not every hernia requires immediate surgery.
Symptoms can change over time
Evaluation helps determine the hernia type, its contents, whether it is reducible, and how much it affects comfort, function, and safety.
Common Hernia Types
Location and prior surgery help define the diagnosis
Each hernia behaves differently. The location, size, symptoms, prior repairs, and tissue quality influence treatment planning.
Femoral hernia
Appears lower in the groin near the upper thigh. These hernias have a greater risk of becoming trapped and usually merit prompt surgical evaluation.
Umbilical hernia
Occurs through or near the navel. Adult umbilical hernias may enlarge or become symptomatic over time.
Ventral hernia
Forms through a weakness in the front abdominal wall and may be primary or associated with tissue separation.
Incisional hernia
Develops at or near a previous surgical incision where the abdominal wall has weakened during healing.
Recurrent hernia
Returns after an earlier repair. Planning may require review of prior operative reports, mesh position, imaging, and current symptoms.
Evaluation & Diagnosis
Understanding the hernia before choosing treatment
Many hernias are diagnosed through history and physical examination. Imaging can clarify uncertain, recurrent, occult, or complex findings.
Symptom review
Discuss the bulge, pain, activity limits, bowel symptoms, onset, and changes over time.
Physical examination
The area may be examined while standing, coughing, or gently straining to identify the defect.
Imaging when needed
Ultrasound or CT may help define the size, contents, anatomy, and relationship to prior repairs.
Risk assessment
Overall health, medications, smoking, weight, diabetes, prior surgery, and anesthesia risk are considered.
Treatment Decisions
Observation, elective repair, or emergency treatment
The correct timing depends on the hernia type, symptoms, risk of complications, and the patient’s health and goals.
Watchful waiting
Selected patients with certain minimally symptomatic, reducible inguinal hernias may be monitored after discussing warning signs and follow-up. Symptoms frequently progress over time.
Planned surgical repair
Elective repair may be appropriate for pain, enlargement, activity limitation, difficult reduction, recurrent symptoms, or a hernia type with higher complication risk.
Urgent or emergency repair
A trapped or strangulated hernia may obstruct intestine or compromise blood flow and requires urgent hospital assessment and often emergency surgery.
A hernia belt or truss does not repair the defect. It may occasionally provide temporary support under professional guidance, but persistent or worsening symptoms still require evaluation.
Surgical Options
A repair approach selected for the individual patient
No single technique is best for every hernia. The approach depends on location, defect size, prior repair, contamination risk, anatomy, medical conditions, and surgeon judgment.
Open hernia repair
An incision is made near the defect. The protruding tissue is returned to the appropriate position, and the weakened area is closed or reinforced.
- May use sutures, mesh, or a combination.
- May be appropriate for small, large, complex, or emergency hernias.
- Some open repairs can use local or regional anesthesia with sedation.
Laparoscopic or robotic-assisted repair
A camera and instruments are introduced through small incisions, allowing the surgeon to view and repair the defect from inside the abdominal wall.
- May be useful for bilateral, recurrent, or selected ventral hernias.
- General anesthesia is typically required.
- Open conversion may be necessary when it is the safer option.
About surgical mesh: Mesh can reinforce weakened tissue and reduce recurrence in many repairs, but it is not required in every case. Material, position, benefits, alternatives, and potential complications should be discussed as part of informed consent.
Preparing & Recovering
What patients can generally expect
Recovery varies with the hernia, repair method, operative findings, work demands, and overall health. Follow the instructions from the surgical and anesthesia teams.
Before surgery
Review medicines, blood thinners, allergies, prior repairs, smoking, diabetes control, fasting, transportation, and help at home.
Early recovery
Walking is encouraged as directed. Soreness, bruising, swelling, and a temporary fluid collection can occur around the repair.
Returning to activity
Driving, work, exercise, and lifting restrictions are individualized. Increase activity gradually and keep the postoperative visit.
Contact the surgical team as instructed for worsening pain, persistent vomiting, fever, increasing redness or drainage, inability to urinate, progressive swelling, chest pain, shortness of breath, or leg swelling. Call 911 for a potentially life-threatening emergency.
Patient Questions
Frequently asked questions
These general answers cannot replace recommendations based on your examination and medical history.
Does every hernia need surgery immediately?
No. Some reducible hernias with few symptoms may be monitored. Others—including symptomatic, enlarging, femoral, incarcerated, or strangulated hernias—may require planned or urgent repair. The decision is individualized.
Can a hernia heal on its own?
Adult abdominal wall and groin hernias generally do not close on their own. Symptoms may fluctuate, but the underlying defect remains unless repaired.
How do I know if my hernia is an emergency?
Seek emergency care for severe or rapidly worsening pain, a firm tender bulge that will not reduce, vomiting, abdominal swelling, fever, or red, purple, or dark skin over the hernia.
Will mesh be used for my repair?
Mesh is commonly used to reinforce many adult hernia repairs and may reduce recurrence, but it is not appropriate or required in every case. The choice depends on the hernia, tissue, contamination risk, prior repair, and individual factors.
Is robotic repair better than open repair?
Each approach has advantages and limitations. The best choice depends on the hernia’s location and complexity, previous surgery, patient health, and surgeon experience—not simply the technology used.
Can a repaired hernia come back?
Recurrence is possible after any hernia repair. Risk is influenced by the original defect, technique, tissue quality, smoking, weight, infection, diabetes, activity, and other factors.
How long will I be restricted after surgery?
Restrictions vary considerably. Many patients walk shortly after surgery and gradually resume routine activities, while heavy lifting and strenuous work may require additional time. Follow the instructions for your specific repair.
Medical review: Michael Orloff, MD, FACS
General surgeon • Suffolk Surgery PLLC • Last updated September 2026
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Discuss a new bulge, discomfort, an enlarging hernia, or a surgical opinion. Offices serve patients in Commack, Lindenhurst, and communities throughout Suffolk County.
This page provides general educational information and does not establish a physician–patient relationship or replace individualized medical advice. For a medical emergency, call 911.