Private Hernia Surgery

A hernia occurs when an internal organ bulges through a weak area or tear in the muscle or surrounding tissue. Most hernias develop in the abdomen (belly area) or groin, where the abdominal wall is weaker. This bulge can often be pushed back in or disappears when lying down - coughing or straining will make it more prominent.

The most common sign of a hernia is a swelling or lump, which can occur anywhere between your chest and hips. Groin hernias located in the inguinal canal can be harder to spot.

Some hernias can be symptomless. Others are more painful and can significantly impact your day-to-day life.

If you are suffering from or suspect you have a hernia then don't worry, you are not alone.

Absolutely anyone can develop a hernia and symptoms can vary greatly. Although some people are more susceptible due to being born with slightly weaker muscles, in most cases the risks of developing a hernia is increases with age. It can even be as simple as the overuse of a muscle or excessive straining.

Inguinal hernias are the most common type, affecting around 27% of men and 3% of women within their lifetime.

Inguinal hernias are the most common, occurring mainly in men. They appear in either your groin or scrotum. This condition is caused by part of your bowel or fatty tissue pushing through a weak spot at the top of your inner thigh. The resulting lump or swelling can be painful and becomes more noticeable when you're lifting something.

Straining on the toilet due to constipation or moving heavy objects can put an increased amount of pressure on your abdomen and can lead to the sudden appearance of an inguinal hernia. A persistent or heavy cough has also been linked to this condition.

What are the signs and symptoms of an inguinal hernia?

• Bulge or swelling on either side of your public bone
• Burning or aching sensation
• Weakness or pressure in your groin
• Pain or discomfort in your groin
• Pain and swelling around the testicles

What are the risk factors?

• Men are eight times more likely to develop inguinal hernias than women
• Family history of the condition
• Chronic constipation
• Premature birth and low birth weight

A rare type, accounting for only 3% of all hernias, a femoral hernia can appear as a painful lump or swelling in the inner upper part of the thigh or groin. This condition occurs when a part of the bowel or fatty tissue pushes through a weak spot in the surrounding muscle wall known as the femoral canal.

Due to the wider shape of the female pelvis, a femoral hernia is particularly common in older women.

What are the signs and symptoms of a femoral hernia?

• Sudden groin pain or discomfort that intensifies when standing, lifting, or straining
• Abdominal pain
• Nausea, vomiting, or both

What are the risk factors?

• Women are ten times more likely to develop this type of hernia than men
• Chronic constipation
• Being overweight
• Enlarged prostate causing difficult urination
• Chronic coughing, such as from smoking
• Excessive straining during childbirth

A rare type of abdominal wall hernia, a spigelian hernia is usually located in the lower abdomen and typically affects the intestines and omentum. This condition is caused by a split-like opening or weakness in the spigelian fascia (located at the front of your abdomen).

In general, a spigelian hernia can be identified as a soft, painless lump or bulge on your abdominal wall that can increase or decrease in size on its own.

What are the signs and symptoms of a spigelian hernia?

• Pain in your abdomen that is unrelated to food or illness
• Abdominal pain that intensifies when coughing, heavy lifting, or during a bowel movement
• Sudden change in bowel movements, such as constipation or a change in stool
• Blood in your stools

What are the risk factors?

• Chronic cough
• Frequent straining when on the toilet or lifting heavy objects
• Being overweight
• Trauma to the abdomen
• Pregnancy
• Trauma to the abdomen
• Fluid in the abdomen, caused by conditions such as liver problems

A lumbar hernia is a protrusion through the lumbar triangle, located between the bottom rib and the hip bone in the lower back. It is usually visible as a lump on the back, on either side of the abdomen.

This type of hernia is less common and only accounts for 1.5% of all abdominal hernias.

What are the signs and symptoms of a lumbar hernia?

Many of the symptoms mimic common lower back pain, often leading to a misdiagnosis.

• Lower back pain, which increases with coughing or straining
• Weakness or numbness in one leg or foot
• Tender bulge
• Abdominal cramps
• Shooting pain down one side of the buttock into the leg

What are the risk factors?

• Being overweight
• Smoking
• Frequent driving
• Physically demanding job with an increased risk of back problems
• Sedentary lifestyle
• Trauma to the side or back of the abdominal wall

A very rare hernia type, mostly affecting older women, the obturator hernia is caused by a protrusion of the intestine through a weak spot or opening in the pelvis.

Although some cases will have a visible protruding lump, the majority of obturator hernias are hidden due to their location and can be difficult to diagnose.

What are the signs and symptoms of an obturator hernia?

• Abdominal bloating
• Nausea, vomiting, or both
• Constipation
• Abdominal cramps
• Bowel obstruction

What are the risk factors?

• Women are nine times more likely to develop this type of hernia than men
• Chronic constipation
• Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
• Ascites

A ventral hernia, or abdominal hernia, is caused by a weakness or gap in the abdominal wall, resulting in the protrusion of your intestine or other tissue.

The causes of this condition can vary depending on its location - in addition to your medical history, level of health and personal anatomy.

Below are the three types of ventral hernias:

1. Umbilical hernia
2. Incisional hernia
3. Epigastric hernia

Most common in infants, an umbilical hernia appears as a swelling or bulge near the naval. It can be especially noticeable when the infant cries, causing the belly button to protrude slightly. This condition occurs when part of the intestine pushes through the opening in your abdominal muscles located near the belly button.

Children's umbilical hernias are typically harmless and often closing on their own within the first two years of life. However, when they appear during adulthood, they can cause abdominal discomfort and are more likely to require surgical repair.

What are the signs and symptoms of an umbilical hernia?

• Bulge in or near the belly button
• Pain or tenderness in the abdomen
• Bloated, round abdomen
• Fever
• Vomiting
• Constipation
• Sharp abdominal pain with vomiting (this can be a sign of a strangulated umbilical hernia)

What are the risk factors?

• Persistent, heavy cough
• Fluid in the abdominal cavity
• Being overweight
• Having a multiple pregnancy, such as twins or triplets
• Previous abdominal surgery
• Long-term peritoneal dialysis to treat kidney failure

Following abdominal surgery, around one-third of patients will develop an incisional hernia. This condition occurs at or in close proximity to a surgical incision, as a result of a weakening of the abdominal muscle. Although they can develop at any time, an incisional hernia is most likely to occur within three to six months post-surgery.

What are the signs and symptoms of an incisional hernia?

• Lump or protrusion in the abdomen (at or near the area of a previous incision)
• Constipation
• Narrow or thin stool
• Nausea, vomiting, or both
• Fever
• Rapid heart rate
• Pain in the abdomen

What are the risk factors?

• Patients having undergone emergency surgery
• Being overweight
• Post-operative wound infection
• Midline incision carries a 74% risk increase
• Smoking
• Diabetes mellitus
• Connective tissue disorders
• Excessive or premature physical exercise following surgery
• Pregnancy

An epigastric hernia occurs when fatty tissue pushes through an opening in your stomach, appearing as a bulge in between your belly button and breast bone (sternum). This condition is the result of increased pressure in the abdominal cavity and is usually easy to recognise. Men are two to three times more likely to develop an epigastric hernia.

In 20% of cases, multiple hernias coexist and can cause severe pain. They can be present at birth or develop later in life.

What are the signs and symptoms of an epigastric hernia?

• Visible bulge in the affected area
• Pain can range from a sharp and sudden sensation to a dull ache that worsens throughout the day, especially when sneezing, coughing, or lifting heavy objects
• Bloating or constipation

What are the risk factors?

• Prior pregnancy
• Being overweight
• Diabetes
• Steroid use
• Smoking
• Lifting heavy weights or objects

While most hernia surgical repairs are successful, there is a small chance of a hernia reappearing near or in the same place as before, either months or years after surgery.

There are several causes of hernia recurrence, such as an unhealed surgical wound or weakened abdominal muscles. Various activities and behaviours that strain the initial repair during the post-surgery recovery process can also increase the risk, as well as certain conditions.

What are the signs and symptoms of a recurrent hernia?

• Bulge or swelling at or near the location of the previous hernia
• Pain that can range from a dull ache to sharp and severe, intensified when coughing, sneezing, or lifting heavy objects
• Bloating
• Constipation

What are the risk factors?

• Being overweight
• Smoking
• Diabetes
• Heavy lifting or other strenuous activities
• Medications that impact the immune system, such as steroids or chemotherapy

An incarcerated hernia occurs when a hernia becomes trapped outside the abdominal wall and cannot be pushed back in. This most commonly affects inguinal or femoral hernias and can lead to restricted blood flow to the trapped tissue, making it a more serious condition. The lump may become firm, tender, and increasingly painful, and unlike a typical hernia, it will not disappear when lying down or with gentle pressure.

This condition can develop suddenly or from a previously untreated hernia. Straining, heavy lifting, or increased pressure in the abdomen may contribute to a hernia becoming incarcerated. Without prompt treatment, it can progress to a strangulated hernia, which requires emergency care.

What are the signs and symptoms of an incarcerated hernia?

• A firm, painful lump that cannot be pushed back in
• Sudden or worsening pain at the hernia site
• Redness or discolouration over the lump
• Nausea or vomiting
• Abdominal bloating or difficulty passing stools

What are the risk factors?

• Existing untreated hernia
• Heavy lifting or physical strain
• Chronic cough or constipation
• Previous abdominal surgery
• Increased abdominal pressure (e.g. pregnancy or obesity)

A parastomal hernia occurs when tissue, such as part of the bowel, pushes through a weakness in the abdominal wall around a stoma (an opening created during surgery to divert waste). This can cause a noticeable bulge beside the stoma and may affect how the stoma functions. It is a common complication following stoma surgery and can develop gradually over time.

Increased pressure within the abdomen — such as from coughing, heavy lifting, or straining — can contribute to the development of a parastomal hernia. While some cases remain mild, others can lead to discomfort, difficulty managing stoma appliances, or complications if left untreated.

What are the signs and symptoms of a parastomal hernia?

• A bulge or swelling around the stoma
• Discomfort or pain around the site
• Changes in the size or shape of the stoma
• Difficulty securing or fitting stoma appliances
• Occasional bowel obstruction symptoms, such as bloating or nausea

What are the risk factors?

• Previous stoma surgery
• Weakness in the abdominal wall
• Chronic coughing or straining
• Obesity or increased abdominal pressure
• Poor wound healing or infection after surgery

An internal hernia occurs when part of the intestine pushes through a weakness or opening within the abdominal cavity, rather than through the abdominal wall. These openings can be natural or develop after surgery, allowing the bowel to become trapped inside. Unlike other hernias, there is no visible lump, making this condition harder to detect and potentially more dangerous if left untreated.

Internal hernias can disrupt normal bowel function and may lead to obstruction or reduced blood supply to the affected intestine. They are often associated with previous abdominal surgery, particularly procedures such as gastric bypass, but can also occur without a clear cause.

What are the signs and symptoms of an internal hernia?

• Intermittent or severe abdominal pain
• Nausea or vomiting
• Bloating or abdominal swelling
• Changes in bowel habits or bowel obstruction
• Pain that comes and goes without a clear cause

What are the risk factors?

• Previous abdominal surgery (especially weight loss surgery)
• Congenital abnormalities in the abdominal cavity
• Rapid weight loss
• Internal weaknesses or openings in the mesentery
• Increased abdominal pressure from straining or activity

A Richter’s hernia occurs when only part of the bowel wall becomes trapped within a hernia, rather than the entire loop. This makes it particularly dangerous, as it can cut off blood supply to the affected section without causing a full bowel obstruction. Because of this, symptoms can be subtle at first, even while serious complications are developing.

This type of hernia most commonly occurs in the groin (femoral or inguinal region) and may progress quickly if left untreated. Early diagnosis is important to prevent tissue damage or perforation.

What are the signs and symptoms of a Richter’s hernia?

• Localised pain at the hernia site
• A small, tender lump
• Redness or swelling over the area
• Nausea or mild digestive discomfort
• Symptoms of infection if the bowel becomes damaged

What are the risk factors?

• Existing hernia (especially femoral or inguinal)
• Delayed treatment of a hernia
• Increased abdominal pressure from straining or lifting
• Older age
• Previous abdominal surgery

A Petersen’s hernia is a type of internal hernia that occurs when part of the small intestine slips into a space created after certain types of abdominal surgery, most commonly gastric bypass. This space, known as Petersen’s defect, allows the bowel to become trapped, which can lead to obstruction or reduced blood flow.

This condition can develop months or even years after surgery and may present with intermittent symptoms, making it difficult to diagnose without imaging.

What are the signs and symptoms of a Petersen’s hernia?

• Intermittent abdominal pain, often after eating
• Nausea or vomiting
• Bloating or discomfort
• Sudden, severe abdominal pain if complications occur
• Signs of bowel obstruction

What are the risk factors?

• Previous gastric bypass or abdominal surgery
• Rapid weight loss
• Internal anatomical changes after surgery
• Delayed closure of surgical spaces
• Increased abdominal pressure

A Morgagni hernia is a rare type of diaphragmatic hernia that occurs through a small opening at the front of the diaphragm, allowing abdominal organs to move into the chest cavity. It is usually congenital (present at birth), but may not cause symptoms until later in life.

In many cases, it is discovered incidentally during imaging, although larger hernias can affect breathing or digestion.

What are the signs and symptoms of a Morgagni hernia?

• Shortness of breath
• Chest discomfort or pressure
• Recurrent respiratory infections
• Abdominal pain or discomfort
• Symptoms of bowel obstruction in severe cases

What are the risk factors?

• Congenital defect in the diaphragm
• Obesity or increased abdominal pressure
• Chronic coughing or straining
• Trauma (in rare cases)
• Delayed diagnosis from childhood

A Bochdalek hernia is another form of congenital diaphragmatic hernia, occurring at the back of the diaphragm. It is more common than Morgagni hernias and is typically diagnosed in newborns, although smaller cases may go unnoticed until adulthood.

This condition allows abdominal organs to move into the chest, which can affect lung development in infants or cause respiratory and digestive symptoms later in life.

What are the signs and symptoms of a Bochdalek hernia?

• Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
• Chest or abdominal pain
• Reduced exercise tolerance
• Gastrointestinal discomfort
• Severe cases may cause respiratory distress (especially in infants)

What are the risk factors?

• Congenital diaphragmatic defect
• Family history of similar conditions
• Delayed or undiagnosed cases from infancy
• Increased abdominal pressure
• Rarely, trauma triggering symptoms later in life

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