I'm not 100% sure Tina, but I believe that the strangulation you mentioned can happen anywhere the hernia is, just with different body parts. For example, my husband had one just below his abdomen and in his case, his intestines were at risk.

I think some doctors used to, and maybe sometimes still do, recommend a "wait and see" approach, although my understanding is that inaction is not the best course of action since a hernia will not repair itself, but will only grow larger.

Is he obese? I ask because I have a friend with a visible hernia, but her doctor says he can't operate until she gets below 250lbs. Perhaps he's not "putting it off," but trying to get below a certain weight before it can be done?

Sorry I'm just getting back to this. No, Errant, he's not obese, although a bit thick through the middle. I'm not sure exactly what the dr has advised. Thanks for the info!

I have a large incisional hernia in my upper abdomen from when I had my gall bladder removed. I've had it for around 8 or 9 years. My doctor is one of those who takes a wait and see approach. I've read a lot about it from medical websites and the general consensus it to wait and see, unless you start having a constant pain.

The problem with having hernia surgery if it's not bothering you, is there is a very high chance the hernia will come back. If I thought mine wouldn't come back I'd have it fixed in a heartbeat.

Mine was caused from laying on my back while sleeping which I never do, then choking on my spit and coughing really hard. lol.

Tell the person to baby the hernia. When coughing or sneezing, press the hernia so it won't pop out further.