Why Young Adults Delay Hernia Repairs and Risks Involved - Dr Venugopal Pareek
You’re in your 20s or early 30s, generally healthy, active, and juggling work, workouts, and social life. A dull ache in the groin or a visible bulge in the abdomen shows up now and then, but it disappears when you lie down. You suspect it’s a hernia, but since it doesn’t always hurt or interfere with your routine, you tell yourself it can wait. Sound familiar?
As a surgeon, I’ve had many young patients come in with hernias they’ve known about for months—sometimes years—choosing to “watch and wait” until symptoms become too bothersome to ignore. But this delay, while understandable, can carry more risk than most realise.
Why the Delay?
There are several reasons why younger adults tend to postpone surgical repair:
- It’s not painful, yet: Many hernias, especially in the early stages, don’t cause severe discomfort. A soft bulge that comes and goes doesn’t feel urgent, so it's easy to dismiss.
- Fear of surgery or anaesthesia: The thought of going under the knife, taking time off work, or dealing with post-op pain often discourages people—especially those who've never had surgery before.
- Misplaced confidence in self-resolution: Some believe a hernia can be “managed” with exercise or yoga. Unfortunately, no amount of core strengthening can close a hernial defect. The only definitive treatment is surgical repair.
- Life is too full: Between demanding jobs, travel plans, or family responsibilities, scheduling a procedure gets pushed to the bottom of the list—until the body forces you to prioritise it.
What’s Really Going On Inside?
A hernia occurs when an internal organ, often part of the intestine, pushes through a weak spot in the muscle wall. Inguinal hernias (in the groin) and umbilical hernias (around the navel) are most common in younger adults.
Left untreated, a hernia doesn't just stay the same—it often worsens over time. The bulge can grow, become painful, or in some cases, get stuck (incarcerated), cutting off blood supply (strangulated). This can turn into a surgical emergency.
Hidden Costs of Waiting
Delaying hernia repair might seem harmless when the bulge is manageable, but here’s what I tell my patients:
The longer you wait, the larger the defect: A small hernia that could have been repaired through a simple, minimally invasive procedure can evolve into a larger one needing open surgery with more downtime.
Complications Can Escalate Quietly: Putting off hernia repair can quietly allow things to worsen. Over time, there’s a real chance that part of the intestine could get trapped in the hernia, cutting off its blood supply. When that happens, it turns into a surgical emergency—often far more complex, with longer healing time and greater risk.
It Affects More Than You Realise: Even in the absence of pain, hernias have a way of creeping into day-to-day life. You might start avoiding physical activity, cancelling travel plans, or feeling self-conscious in certain clothes. Some patients quietly stop going to the gym or hesitate during intimacy, all because of that persistent bulge they hoped would stay the same.
The Case for Early Intervention: Modern hernia repair, especially when done electively, is vastly different from the dreaded surgery of the past. With advancements in laparoscopic and robotic techniques, most repairs are done as day-care procedures with minimal incisions, less pain, and faster return to activity.
Recovery times are also quicker than people expect. Most young adults are back to desk work within a few days and resume workouts in a few weeks—with proper guidance.
In short: the earlier the repair, the simpler the procedure and the smoother the recovery.
When to see a Doctor?
If you notice the following, it’s time to consult a specialist
- A bulge in the groin or abdominal area that appears when you stand or strain
- Discomfort or heaviness after prolonged standing, coughing, or lifting
- A sense of tugging or burning in the lower abdomen
- Symptoms worsening with time
Even if surgery isn’t needed immediately, getting a medical opinion helps clarify the best timeline for intervention.
Delaying hernia repair is a gamble that many young adults unknowingly take—often because the condition seems “minor.” But a hernia is a structural issue, not a lifestyle nuisance. While it might be silent at first, it won’t fix itself. And waiting until it becomes painful or urgent can turn a straightforward fix into a complex problem.
If you’ve noticed a hernia and keep pushing it down—both physically and metaphorically—consider this your sign to stop ignoring it. Early repair is safer, easier, and can help you get back to life without the nagging worry. Trust your body’s signals. Don’t let a minor issue become a major one just because you were too busy to deal with it.