Brief Answer:
you need to get clinically examined thoroughly ..

Detailed Answer:
Hello XXXXXXX Mirzana, Welcome to HCM,

I've gone through your query and understand your concern,

Since it's been 16 yrs already, it should've been properly healed, but sometimes what happens is, the operated site gets gradually weaken along with a potential space inside or the old suture line(if used) gets weaken over a period of time, thus arise up as an incisional hernia with recurrence..

Please let me know the exact type of surgery you had undergone(was it a herniorrhaphy/hernioplasty) ?

Was there any mesh used ? if yes, then please specify the type of mesh used (polyester/polypropylene etc.)..

Was it a open surgery or laparoscopic ?

Have you experienced any excessive weight gain lately sp. around the abdomen ?

Do you involve in to any strenuous activities ? Please share your occupational details, which'll help me determine the type of force applied over the area directly/indirectly ?

Is the size increasing gradually or remaining more or less same ?

Any redness/ skin discoloration over that area ?

Any problem in urinating/ passing motion ?

Are you able to reduce the hernia on yourself or is it non-reducible(you can simply try it with the tip of your finger and observe is it coming back) ?


The concerning factor here is the pain(on-off) which means there may be an involvement with the abdominal muscle/underlying structures, which needs to be addressed without further delay..

So for that, you need to be examined by either your operating surgeon/any other surgeon in your nearby vicinity, as with recurrence, some times the outpouching gets strangulated which is not only extremely painful but also a surgical emergency..

It doesn't seem that serious yet, but since there's intermittent pain, it's better to get examined clinically (preferably by your operating surgeon) at the earliest..

Please avoid weight lifting of any kind / bending forward too much / any other kind of activities which involves a lot of stretching..

Please try not to cough forcefully..

Let me know those answers and if there's any further query, i'll be glad to clarify..


Well, the decision of surgery depends upon all those questions which i've asked previously along with a combination of clinical examination and off-course on your surgeon(approach consideration)..

So please let me know so that I can guide you more specifically, awaiting your response..

Take Care
Kind Regards

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Brief Answer:
few things to consider..

Detailed Answer:
Hello Dear, Welcome back,
Thanks for following up with those details,

The good things are that you've remained the same weight, no problem during urination/passing motion, no involvement in any strenuous activities, able to reduce the hernia..

Most likely you've developed incisional hernia which is a very common complication given the post operative period of 10-15 yrs(in your case now it's 16 yrs)..

Another good point is the younger period i.e. 45 years age , which almost always warrants a good recovery and healing phase..

Now dear, i don't want to scare you but this is mainly a surgical ailment, and there's not much conservative approaches till date..

But the surgical approaches have been improved and getting modified every day..

I'd suggest you to simply schedule the appointment with the surgeon to get examined at first.. there's no immediate need for any surgery as till now, but an examination is a must to determine the type of defect (if any), extent, any sign of underlying infection (extremely important) and a few other factors which is essential to determine the further course of action..

Don't worry dear, there are lot of advancement in this field has already happened, and if at all requires surgery later on then there are several laparoscopic options (key hole surgery) can be considered with mesh repair (all you have to do is to find the right surgeon for this who's well experienced in these type of procedures as well as skilled)..

Don't worry about the pain dear, with right amount of anaesthesia and post operative analgesics and pain-killers, you'll be just fine..

Let me know if your having any further queries, I'll be glad to clarify..

Let me know how it goes later on..

Meanwhile follow those advises I've already given and avoid any type of straining during motion, do keep your blood sugar checked as a routine preventive measure for any Diabetes/ related concern..

Take Care
Kind Regards

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