Do hernias go away on their own?

In adults, no — the weak spot in the wall doesn’t close by itself, and hernias generally stay the same or slowly get bigger. That doesn’t mean every hernia needs an operation straight away; some symptom-free hernias are watched. It does mean "wait and it will heal" isn’t a realistic plan, so a diagnosis is worth having even if you and your doctor decide simply to monitor it.

What is the mesh used in hernia repair?

Mesh is a soft, flexible prosthetic material placed over or within the weak area to reinforce it, a bit like a patch reinforcing worn fabric. In the video on this page the repair uses a prosthetic device of this kind. Not every repair uses mesh — some are done with stitches alone — and your surgeon can explain which approach they’re recommending and why.

Can a hernia come back after repair?

It can, though repair is intended to be lasting. A recurrence means tissue has pushed through again at or near the repaired spot. Heavy strain during early healing doesn’t help, which is why your team will give you activity guidance for the first weeks — follow theirs rather than a generic timetable, because it will be based on your operation.

How do I know if a hernia is an emergency?

Warning signs are a bulge that becomes suddenly painful, tense, or discoloured, that you cannot gently push back when it normally goes back, or pain accompanied by nausea, vomiting, or being unable to pass wind or stool. Those can signal that tissue is trapped, and they warrant urgent medical assessment the same day.