Over half a million hernia repairs were done in the United States last year. Outcomes will different as no two people are alike. The outcome differs based on your age, overall health, severity, and size of the hernia. Unless the hernia is strangulated or needs immediate attention as in life threatening, most hernia surgeries are electives. Most people will opt for hernia surgery because hernias do not heal by themselves and even thought most hernias are not life threatening they can be very painful.
Most hernia surgeries are done as out patient surgeries but you will need someone to drive you to and from. The most common method of surgery is the convention method where an incision is made over the site of the hernia and the protruding tissue is returned to the abdominal cavity and the sac that has formed is removed. The surgeon repairs the weakness by sewing strong surround muscle over the hole.
For the tension-free mesh technique, an incision is made at the site of the hernia and a piece of mesh is inserted to cover the abdominal wall area without sewing together surrounding muscles. Recovery is usually swift but the mesh doesn't come without side effects and risks.
For the laparoscopic method, a scope is inserted into the abdominal cavity through a small incision. Although some surgeons use this method, how often a hernia reoccurs is being evaluated.
Proper recovery is as important as the hernia repair. A smooth hernia recovery goes a long way to bettering your chances for a hernia not to reoccur.
See: Hernia Repair Booklet - http://www.facs.org/public_info/operation/hernrep.pdf
