I've been diagnosed with an inguinal hernia by my surgeon and scheduled for upcoming surgery after describing my symptoms and a full exam. I put emphasis on the burning, numbing an aching sensation that I felt over several years brought on by standing for long periods of time or going on long walks. Additionally, after sitting down to relieve the pain, I've gotten up and suddenly felt a sharp piercing pain in the same region....enough to take my breath away. My question is: could my ilioinguinal nerve be entrapped or pinched by the hernia and will the accompanying pain go away after surgery. My surgeon couldn't give me a 100 per cent guarantee. He did indicate, without getting into detail, that he would address the issue of the nerve. What do you think he meant. I'm looking for a second opinion.