How do you know if you have a hernia?

[photochick 9]

I keep seeing that its pretty common that people go into surgery and end up having to have a unknown/diagnosed hernia repaired.

Is there any way to find out if you have one before surgery? Is seems like this is a factor that causes quite a bit more pain in recovery.

Has anyone had one diagnosed before surgery and known what caused it?

Edited April 10, 2014 by photochick

[henna 3]

Hernias are usually detected through the upper endoscopy. If the doc thinks it will be an issue, they will take it out right away or during the surgery. Some can be resolved over time. I had a hiatal hernia but it was very minor and it went away on its own by the time surgery came around. Good luck.

[rodeomom969 39]

Went for my pre-op visit today and asked. Several people in the class already knew they were having a repair. He said sometimes they don't show any symptoms and if when they go in for surgery they see one they will definitely repair it so it doesn't cause you future problems. I don't know exactly where this hernia is, but that is what I know.

[lsuchick4 54]

I had an upper GI done as part of the preop testing. The dr advised and I had to consent for repair.

[Jennifer2575 55]

I had surgery Tuesday- had an endoscopy in January and no hernia was found. But Tuesday in surgery the doc found a small one. So there is no guarantee and honestly I wouldn't know the diff of recovering with or without the hernia repair. Recovery is miserable so far- one day at a time.

[Joe E. Myers 0]

My father had a hernia repair surgery after proper testing. He was having frequent back ache and pain in the abdoman due to which he went to a doctor. The doctor diagnosed it as hernia. I guess in the case of people who gets an undiagnosed hernia removed it may have been in the beginning stage and so the patients may not have recognised the symptoms. Otherwise hernia can be detected through proper tests and we need to undergo a hernia surgery for its removal.