Question:
I have a hernia on my front abdominal wall about an inch below my naval. Is surgery needed? I have no pain and am anxious about having unnecessary surgery.
Answer:
If you have had surgery in that area in the past, it could be a hernia in your incision. If not, it is probably a hernia at your umbilicus (navel).
In either case, most hernias cause no problems, other than a bothersome bulge. Occasionally, if they become large, part of the intestine can get trapped in the hernia. This can cause a blockage or cut off the blood supply to the trapped intestine. Both are rare, however, so the most important reason to have it fixed would be if it bothered you, either by its appearance or discomfort.
If it does not bother you, and it is small, you may ignore it. If it is large (or getting bigger), or if it bothers you for any reason, you may want to consider surgery.
If it is a hernia, it will never permanently disappear without surgery.
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