We show the typical stages of the treatment of hernias as well as gently introducing some of the medical terminology.

Stage 1 - Denial

A swelling under the skin of your abdomen appears. You may have a bulging or tearing sensation in the abdominal area; but some patients will not feel any pain and not even consider a diagnosis.

Stage 2 - Diagnosis

Your lump/bump is obviously not going to go away on its own, so a proper medical diagnosis becomes necessary. Your doctor will classify your hernia and either suggest elective surgery or a period of 'watchful waiting'. Factors affecting this judgement will be:

• Your age, job type, and lifestyle.
• Other health factors that might affect surgery.
• If you are in pain or not (symptomatic or asymptomatic).
• The size of your hernia.

Stage 3 - 'The Watchful Waiting' Debate

Rather than immediate surgery, some doctors may advocate a 'watch and wait' strategy post diagnosis. For hernias classified as 'reducible' and merely a nuisance, this may be a typical option and is published policy in some UK health trusts. The 2009 McKinsey report on NHS cost savings put asymptomatic hernia in the same categories as stretch marks and tattoo removal, i.e., 'not-normally-funded'. As such, many NHS Trusts still decline elective requests for inguinal hernias as a cost-saving measure. There is some medical evidence to contradict this approach as medical emergencies for strangulated hernias almost doubled in the cohort that were 'watchful waiting' in the trial. From a pure cost-saving measure, it seems that the watchful-waiting policy is flawed and that routine preemptive surgery really is beneficial.

Either pre-surgery or 'watchful-waiting', our hernia underwear can provide relief from discomfort and prevent the hernia from expanding.

Stage 4 - Lifestyle Change

This stage is under your control. What you do in this period affects the final surgical outcome. Typical advice (depending on your profile and health) might be to lose weight, stop smoking, and change to a more healthy high-fiber diet.

Stage 5 - Surgery

Two broad types of surgery are possible:

1. Using a plastic mesh net insertion to form a supportive barrier inside the body.
2. A stitched method that requires more skill and specialization.

While the former is more common, there is medical evidence of up to 20% post-operation pain in the region from mesh surgery, so there is a growing view that managing your hernia for as long as is comfortable before the operation may be preferable to the risk of post-operative complications.

Stage 6 - Recovery

Post any operation, the hernia site becomes vulnerable to an incisional hernia because the abdomen tissue wall has been cut. At this stage, our briefs can be worn without the supporting pad post-operation in consultation with your surgeon. Approximately 20% of all hernias post-surgery will reoccur (Source: UK Daily Mail).

Stage 7 - Preventive Measures

By a combination of diet, gentle exercise, and safe lifting, it is possible to control the weak area of the muscle wall after the hernia is under control.