It's one of the most common questions I'm asked, and the honest answer is: a hernia will not heal by itself, but not every hernia needs operating on immediately. The decision depends on your symptoms, the type of hernia, and your overall health — not on the fact that a bulge exists.
A hernia is a mechanical problem — a gap or weakness in the muscle wall through which fat or a loop of bowel pushes out. No amount of rest, medication, exercise or abdominal binders will close that gap. This is different from most conditions where the body repairs itself over time.
Because the gap is under constant pressure from inside the abdomen — every time you cough, lift, strain or stand — hernias tend to slowly enlarge. A hernia that is small and straightforward to repair today may be considerably more complex in a few years.
Repair is generally advised when a hernia is causing symptoms:
The important reason to repair a symptomatic hernia is not just comfort — it's to prevent two complications. In obstruction, a trapped loop of bowel becomes blocked. In strangulation, the blood supply to trapped bowel is cut off and the tissue begins to die. Strangulation is a surgical emergency.
A planned, elective repair while you are well is considerably safer and recovers faster than an emergency operation on the same hernia.
If a hernia is genuinely small and causing no symptoms at all, and you have significant medical conditions that raise the risk of anaesthesia, it may be reasonable to monitor it rather than operate straight away. This is a decision to make with your surgeon, not alone — and it comes with a clear understanding of the warning signs below.
Watchful waiting is not the same as ignoring it. If the hernia grows or starts to cause symptoms, the conversation changes.
Go to the nearest emergency department immediately if you develop:
These can indicate obstruction or strangulation, and they are time-critical.
Most hernias today can be repaired laparoscopically — through three small 5–10 mm incisions rather than one long cut. A mesh is placed to reinforce the weak area, and your own tissue grows into it to create a durable repair. For most patients this means less pain, a shorter hospital stay, and a faster return to work than open surgery.
You can read the full details in the free Patient's Handbooks on groin hernia (TEP) and ventral hernia (eTEP-RS) repair.
A hernia is a mechanical gap that won't close on its own and generally enlarges over time. If it's causing symptoms, repair is usually the right course — and doing it electively, while you're well, is far preferable to an emergency operation. If it's genuinely silent and you carry other health risks, monitoring may be reasonable, provided you know the warning signs.
If you're unsure, bring your reports to a consultation. Sometimes the most useful thing a surgeon can tell you is that you don't need an operation yet.
This article is for general patient education only and does not constitute medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Individual circumstances, risks and recovery vary — please consult a qualified medical professional for advice specific to your condition.