If the title gave you the wrong impression, no, you cannot deal with hernia on your own at home. Hernia is one of those health issues that requires professional assistance to fix, and there are currently four ways to deal with it. These vary in methodology, effectiveness, recovery time, and potential side effects.

So, let’s take them one at a time.

1. Traditional Surgery

This is the most common approach when it comes to treating aggravated cases of hernia, especially inguinal hernias located in the lower part of the abdomen. These can be extremely painful and require immediate professional assistance. Traditional surgery, or open surgery, is the oldest and most used intervention in hernia treatments.

The procedure itself is invasive and relies on a large incision to allow the surgeon to access the problematic area. The operation shouldn’t last more than 30-45 minutes, although some interventions can last as long as 90 minutes in some cases.

2. Laparoscopic Surgery

Laparoscopic surgery is a more modern approach to hernia treatment. This is a minimally invasive procedure that relies on very small incisions to get the job done. The surgeon will use a tiny camera and specific instruments to go into the incision, locate the problematic area, and perform the intervention.

The use of the camera removes the need for a larger incision so that the specialist can see what he’s doing. The camera takes over that role. Because the incisions are so small, the tissue trauma will also be negligible, allowing for less pain and faster recovery rates.

Which is why so many patients opt for laparoscopic interventions whenever possible.

3. Robot-Assisted Surgery

Robot-assisted interventions are a step up from laparoscopic surgery. In this case, the surgeon doesn’t even need to touch the patient. Instead, the specialist will operate at a console, which allows him to control the robot’s arms to perform the intervention.

Just like laparoscopic surgery, this type of procedure uses a minimally invasive approach to minimize tissue trauma and speed up recovery. The addition of the robot allows for improved precision, which also decreases the time needed for the intervention.

This method also involves general anesthesia to minimize the pain and distress.

4. Mesh vs. No Mesh

This method involves using a type of medical mesh to strengthen the area around the hernia. The mesh serves as tissue support, effectively correcting and preventing the hernia from reappearing. However, this procedure is only fitting in some cases, not all.

More severe cases of hernia may require invasive or minimally invasive procedures to correct the problem. You always need to discuss with your doctor whether this specific method is fitting for your case.

The mesh used during the operation will fuse with your body’s own tissue over time, creating a tissue scar that strengthens the area. This will prevent future cases of hernia.

How fast will you recover after a hernia surgery?

The recovery time depends on several aspects, including the complexity of the condition, the size of the hernia, the duration of the surgical intervention, the procedure you’re going for, etc. Ask your doctor about it to get a clearer and more informed answer based on your case’s specifics.