What Happens if You Don’t Have Hernia Surgery?
Surgery can be used to fix a hernia by returning the section of your bowel that has escaped back into its proper position and strengthening the weak section of your abdominal wall that let it bulge out. Your doctor can help you to decide whether surgery is the right option for you. Hernia surgery isn’t needed in every case, but there are some complications that can develop if you decide not to have the operation. You should discuss the risks with your doctor.
1. Nothing
Hernia surgery isn’t always necessary. Sometimes, your doctor will recommend simply keeping an eye on your hernia to ensure that your symptoms don’t get any worse. If the hernia is very painful or there is a high risk of complications such as obstruction or strangulation, then your doctor may suggest that you have surgery to prevent this from happening.
2. Obstruction
One of the complications that can happen if you don’t have hernia surgery is that it may become obstructed. An obstruction happens when part of your intestine gets twisted or stuck in a position that prevents digested food moving through it normally. If this happens, you will probably experience symptoms such as nausea and stomach pain. You might need to have surgery in order to fix the problem, but your doctor will also recommend surgery in order to avoid an obstruction if there is a significant risk of it happening.
3. Strangulation
Another complication that can develop when you have a hernia is that it may become strangulated. A strangulated hernia is a section of your intestine that has become trapped, cutting off the blood supply. If this happens, it can be very painful and you will need emergency surgery to release the trapped section of bowel. The blood supply needs to be restored quickly or the tissue will begin to die. Your doctor may recommend that you have hernia surgery before this happens, if there is a high risk that your hernia will become strangulated. It is better to have the procedure before strangulation occurs rather than to need an emergency procedure afterwards.
1. Nothing
Hernia surgery isn’t always necessary. Sometimes, your doctor will recommend simply keeping an eye on your hernia to ensure that your symptoms don’t get any worse. If the hernia is very painful or there is a high risk of complications such as obstruction or strangulation, then your doctor may suggest that you have surgery to prevent this from happening.
2. Obstruction
One of the complications that can happen if you don’t have hernia surgery is that it may become obstructed. An obstruction happens when part of your intestine gets twisted or stuck in a position that prevents digested food moving through it normally. If this happens, you will probably experience symptoms such as nausea and stomach pain. You might need to have surgery in order to fix the problem, but your doctor will also recommend surgery in order to avoid an obstruction if there is a significant risk of it happening.
3. Strangulation
Another complication that can develop when you have a hernia is that it may become strangulated. A strangulated hernia is a section of your intestine that has become trapped, cutting off the blood supply. If this happens, it can be very painful and you will need emergency surgery to release the trapped section of bowel. The blood supply needs to be restored quickly or the tissue will begin to die. Your doctor may recommend that you have hernia surgery before this happens, if there is a high risk that your hernia will become strangulated. It is better to have the procedure before strangulation occurs rather than to need an emergency procedure afterwards.