 Hi, my name is Dr. Majnath Aridas, one of the consultant surgeons in minimally invasive surgery at Manipal Hospital, Whitefield. Hernia is nothing but an abnormal protrusion or a bulge in the abdomen. It can contain inter-abdominal organs like bowel, fat, and sometimes a hernia can also be internal, what we call as internal hernias. Hernia is nothing but an abnormal protrusion or a bulge in the abdomen. Patients usually come to us with complaints of an abnormal bulge or an protrusion in the abdomen. Most of the time, people also or patients also come to us with complaints of pain or swelling that is very painful. The most common risk factor for hernia is usually a prior surgery. Patients also complain of a bulge or a protrusion without even having prior surgery. These are what we call as spontaneous hernias. Patients usually come to us of feeling a bulge or a painful bulge. An ultrasound scan or a CT scan confirms the diagnosis of a hernia. Hernia surgery when done with the minimal invasive techniques, especially laparoscopic surgery or robotic surgery, you are usually recovered within 24 hours. You just need to stay in the hospital for 24 hours and most of the recovery is at home. Patients are actually ambulating the next day and are able to do their routine regular activities immediately after the surgery too. Some patients who require open surgery, which are what we call as a complex hernia repair, may need longer and these can remain in the hospital for three to five days. The hernia surgery involves repairing the defect, removing the organ that is causing this protrusion or a bulge, identifying the defect and closure of the defect with a mesh. Hernia surgery when performed with a minimally invasive technique, especially laparoscopic surgery or a robotic surgery are usually minimally painful. And patients are able to get out of bed the next day and are able to go to their daily living activities. But some surgeries which are called as open surgery, especially for complex hernias, they may stay in the hospital for three to five days. And they are a little bit more painful compared to the minimally invasive surgeries. Prior to hernia surgery, it is very advisable to seek a consultation with a specialist who deals with the hernias. We usually recommend patients until the time of the surgery not to lift any heavy weights, not to do any stoneless activities that can exacerbate or cause more symptoms that might land you in the emergency department. Prior to hernia surgeries, all patients are reviewed and are investigated in terms of what are the complexities of this hernia and how this hernia is better approached. Definitely goes away after hernia surgery. The bulge is being removed, the organ that is protruding through the hernia is removed and the defect is closed with a mesh. The bulge goes away and patients feel comfortable that the hernia is repaired.