How long is too long to wait tohave a hernia repaired?

If Complications: If not causing pain or physical problems, abdominal hernias are generally well tolerated. Many patients wait until symptoms are sufficient to warrant repair. That said, hernias can become "incarcerated" (stuck) causing pain, redness, nausea and is a real surgical emergency. If your hernia is easily reducible, not causing trouble, not worsening rapidly, it is reasonable to wait on your repair.

Gangrene: If an incarcerated hernia is not treated in time, the trapped portion of bowel can become gangrenous. This could lead to a life-threatening infection. If your hernia is painful or doesn't easily go back inside the body you should see a surgeon asap.

Emergency surgery: A hernia can get "stuck" and cause a lack of blood to that part of the intestine that is stuck out through the hernia opening. This is an incarcerated hernia and requires emergency surgery. Although this doesn't happen often, you don't want to wait for this to occur.

Emergency Surgery: All hernias share in common the potential for bowel to "get stuck" (incarcerated)within the hernia sac, which can lead to intestinal death if not treated promptly. Emergency surgery is higher risk and has less options for repair. Accordingly, it is always best to repair the hernia before this occurs. Not all hernias have the same risk of incarceration--see a hernia surgeon to determine this.

Depends: I depends on the location, size and problems (if any) the hernia is causing. In general, hernias that are small, at the belly button, and causing no symptoms for years may mot ever need to be repaired. Because of the complexity, best to have it checked out by a general surgeon to be sure. You can find one interested in hernia disease at the Americas Hernia Society website. Hope this helps!