Using surgery, the muscle is sewn back together and/or mesh is put in to cover the hole. What also happens is scar tissue grows over the area, the sewing of the muscle or mesh holds the hernia in so the scar tissue can form. My thought is the scar tissue will grow over the hole without surgery although it requires another way to keep the hernia in. Letting it heal naturally may also take longer.

I was 62 when the hernia ruptured in the spring of 2007. My hernia was the result of helping to lift a 250 pound item at work. What I thought was a pulled groin muscle was in fact a hernia waiting to happen. It was not until several weeks later that the hernia actually ruptured while I was having a bowel movement.

When I saw a surgeon, he mentioned that there is a sack from the hernia and fluid will collect in this sack. In time the fluid is absorbed. I believe at times there was fluid coming through the hernia area, it feels more liquid than solid. You can tell if the intestine has actually slipped out as it is harder to push back in and feels lumpy. The surgeon I saw was also going to put mesh in me to cover the hole, a process I feel is a big mistake. If you search, there is documentation of mesh damaging organs near the mesh over a period of time.

Because of several factors, I just put up with the hernia for several months. But I found I could no longer do things without causing stress on my hernia and started weighing my options. Once I decided surgery was not an option I wanted, I started the following course of action.

I first tried taking the herbal capsules for a few months with no results other than costing a lot of money. You are welcome to try them but from my experience they have no effect on anything but your wallet.

What has worked for me. . .
I used psyllium fiber capsules to reduce the amount of effort it takes to make stuff go through the intestine and bowel. For me the fiber capsules worked best if I took 6 capsules with plenty of water in the evening a couple hours after dinner. I also modified my diet and cut out solids that might cause a blockage such as breads and most meat. I increased things like fish, rice, fresh fruits, vegetables and other high fiber foods. No big meals, instead several small meals or snacks during the day. The fiber and diet pretty much eliminated pain associated in the area where the intestine is at the hernia. Also, drinking a lot of fluids, mostly water.

In order for the hernia to heal I needed to keep the intestine from slipping out so a truss was needed. After trying a truss I bought that made it impossible to use the toilet I decided to come up with a truss of my own and hand sewed one out of elastic bought from a fabric store. Total cost including needles and thread was $7.00. The truss is one sided, made to just support the hernia. The way the strap is positioned on the truss, it is possible to use the toilet without removing the truss. I did not want to be removing the truss unless I was laying down as it lets the hernia slip out and slows healing. A pad is used under the truss to conform to the shape of the body and keep good pressure on the hernia area. The pad is simply cotton cloth folded over several times. A second truss was made so I could wear one while taking a shower and still have a dry one to put on. Using a (pants) belt over my underwear positioned over the pad snugs the pad tight and keeps the hernia from slipping out while being active.

The hernia can usually be pushed back in if you lay down flat and slowly work it back in with your hands. Sometime it will just slip back in itself if you lay long enough perhaps as you sleep at night.

Many times during bowel movement I sometimes found pressure tries to push the hernia out. To prevent this I use my hand and push on the truss and pad to provide back pressure. This is happening less and less now as it heals

Exercise also helps. Originally I did a lot of walking to build up muscle. After I went back to work I didn't have the time to walk. Instead I did a bending exercise where I hold an 11 pound barbell in one hand standing up, then slowly bend over as if I were touching my toes, then back up straight. After doing a few with my right hand I switch the barbell to my left hand and do some more. I find this helps build muscle without the strain of doing sit-ups. Once the hernia was held in place by the truss I could tell that over time the pressure of the hernia trying to come out was less and less until there was no pressure.

The important thing to remember is that the hernia will not heal unless it stays in. If you start this process early on it should be fairly easy for a truss to hold the hernia in. If you wait like I did it will be more difficult and take longer. As of this update, I am still wearing the truss but the hernia is staying in and I can do normal daily tasks including lifting about 50 pounds. It is now no longer necessary to take the psyllium fiber capsules every day, just when I feel I need to. At this latest update the hernia has healed considerably smaller and very seldom does it slip out. I am now able to wear a smaller truss.
Although this process seems to be taking a long time keep in mind that I am very active and just recently retired from working.

POSITIVE THINKING
The mind is a powerful thing. A positive attitude is important and focusing on the thought that the hernia will heal is also part of my treatment.