How Much Does Hernia Repair Surgery Cost?

If you've felt a strange, uncomfortable bulge in your body that just doesn't seem right, you're not alone. That bulge can be the first sign of a hernia, a common issue that can catch anyone off guard and may require surgery to resolve. In this article, we'll demystify what hernias are, what causes them, how much hernia surgery can cost and more.

What Is a Hernia?

Hernias occur when an organ or fatty tissue bulges through a weak spot in the muscle or connective tissue that normally holds it in place. A hernia is a gap in the muscular wall or tissue that allows part of your organs or tissue inside the abdomen to protrude outward. Hernias most commonly occur in the abdomen or groin.¹

Not all hernias require surgical intervention, but hernia surgery may become necessary when there's a risk of serious complications, chronic pain or tissue damage.¹ Below, we cover some of the key reasons why hernia surgery might be recommended and how it can significantly improve your health and quality of life.

Average Cost of Hernia Repair Surgery

In the United States, the average cost of open hernia surgery ranges between $4,200 and $6,200. Patients with health insurance can expect to pay an average of $750 to $1,109 for the procedure after covering their deductibles, copays or coinsurance.²

Average costs for laparoscopic surgery to treat a hernia are a bit higher, ranging between $700 and $2,000 for patients with health insurance, and $4,000 to $11,000 for patients covering the costs out of pocket.²

Other factors that may affect the total cost of hernia repair include presurgical and postsurgical doctor visits, prescription medications and the location of the surgery (whether it takes place in a hospital or an outpatient facility).

Most healthcare providers recommend repairing a hernia eventually, as they do tend to get worse with time and, aside from umbilical hernias in babies, do not repair themselves. If a hernia progresses to the point of causing complications, your doctor may recommend surgical repair.¹

Complications can occur when a hernia becomes incarcerated, which means the hernia is stuck in a protruded state and can't move back inside the muscle wall. Incarcerated hernias can become increasingly painful; cause bowel obstructions that make it difficult to pass food or gas; or lead to tissue death (necrosis or gangrene) if the blood supply is cut off to the tissue.¹

Types of Hernia Surgery

The specific type of hernia surgery performed depends on the type, size, location and severity of the hernia, as well as the patient's medical condition. The two most common types of hernia surgeries are open and laparoscopic.³

Open hernia repair

In this traditional surgical approach, an incision is made directly over the hernia site and the protruding organ or tissue is pushed back into place. A synthetic mesh is typically used to reinforce the weakened abdominal wall, reducing tension on the repaired tissues and minimizing the risk of recurrence.³

Open hernia repair may be used on inguinal or ventral hernias.⁴

Laparoscopic hernia repair

Also known as minimally invasive hernia repair, laparoscopic surgery involves making small incisions near the hernia site. A laparoscope (a thin, lighted tube with a camera) and specialized instruments are used to repair the hernia from within the abdominal cavity. The surgeon may use mesh to reinforce the area and minimize the risk of recurrence.⁴

Laparoscopic hernia repair offers benefits such as smaller incisions, less postoperative pain, shorter hospital stays and quicker recovery.³ Laparoscopic hernia repair is suitable for ventral, inguinal and hiatal hernias.⁴

Types of Hernias

There are various types of hernias that can occur in different places in the abdomen and groin, including the lower chest near the diaphragm, in the groin through the lower abdominal wall, in the front of the abdomen or at the site of an abdominal surgery incision.¹

Common types of hernias include:⁵

• Inguinal hernia. Accounting for 75% of all hernias and affecting mostly men, an inguinal hernia occurs when part of the bowel protrudes into the inguinal canal, a natural passageway in the groin area that runs down the thigh.¹
• Hiatal hernia. This type of hernia occurs when part of the stomach bulges up through the diaphragm, which is the muscle that separates the chest from the abdomen. Hiatal hernias are more common in people over the age of 50 and often cause gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).
• Umbilical hernia. This type of hernia most often occurs in babies and young children and appears when the intestines push through a weak spot in the abdominal wall, often near the belly button. Umbilical hernias can heal on their own, usually by the time a child is one or two years old, but surgery may be needed if the hernia hasn't gone away by age five. Adults can get an umbilical hernia from strain on the abdomen due to obesity, fluid (ascites) or pregnancy.
• Ventral hernia. These hernias are tissues that bulge through the muscles of your abdomen due to pregnancy, obesity or strenuous activity. They might decrease in size when you're lying down. Ventral hernias can also appear at the site of a surgical incision, due to surgical scarring or weakened abdominal muscles.
• Congenital diaphragmatic hernia. This type of hernia occurs when the diaphragm fails to close completely during fetal development, which can push organs up into the chest cavity, crowding the lungs.¹

What Causes Hernias?

Hernias are typically caused by muscle weakness or muscle strain and may appear suddenly or over a period of time.⁵

Common causes of hernias include:⁵

• A genetic predisposition to hernias due to congenital conditions present at birth
• Improperly lifting heavy objects or weights beyond your capacity
• Chronic coughing or sneezing due to conditions like COPD or cystic fibrosis
• Straining during bowel movements due to persistent constipation
• Pregnancy and childbirth, which can weaken abdominal muscles
• Aging
• Trauma or injury to the abdominal tissues
• Previous surgery in the abdominal area, which can weaken muscles at the incision site
• Obesity
• Smoking, which can weaken connective tissue

Hernia Symptoms

While both men and women can get hernias, for anatomical reasons, hernias tend to be diagnosed more often in men than in women. Hernia symptoms can be similar for men and women but may look or feel differently for each.⁶

Symptoms in men may include a visible bulge at the hernia site accompanied by aching or sharp pain or a feeling of pressure. Men might also feel a tugging sensation or visible swelling around the scrotum and testicles. Pain may worsen with activities like heavy lifting, pushing or straining.⁶

Women with a hernia may experience a protrusion at the hernia site, but possibly not with a groin hernia. The hernia may be accompanied by aching or sharp pain, a burning sensation and increased discomfort with activity.⁶

How Hernia Surgery Works

The two types of hernia surgery take different approaches to repairing hernias. Here is what you can expect from each.

Open hernia surgery

With open hernia surgery, you may receive local anesthesia with sedation or, depending on the size and location of the hernia, you may require general anesthesia. Talk with your doctor about your anesthesia options, and be sure to inform them if you use CBD, marijuana or other substances, as these can affect the type and amount of anesthesia that can safely be used.³

During the procedure, the surgeon makes an incision to open the skin and view the hernia. They'll push the hernia back into place, tie it off or remove it, then suture with stitches the weak area of muscle where the hernia pushed through. Your surgeon may add a piece of flexible synthetic mesh to support the weak spot and prevent the hernia from returning.⁷

Laparoscopic hernia surgery

In laparoscopic hernia surgery, your abdomen is inflated with a benign gas. Several small incisions are made in the abdomen near the hernia site. Your surgeon then uses a laparoscope — which is a thin, tube-like instrument with a camera and light — to see inside your abdomen. The surgeon repairs the weak spot in the muscle or tissue and may repair the hernia using synthetic mesh.⁷

This surgery requires general anesthesia, which renders you unconscious and requires the use of a breathing tube, ventilator and an inhalation anesthetic.³

One advantage of laparoscopic surgery is that recovery tends to be faster, with patients returning to their normal routines a week earlier than with other open hernia surgery.⁷

The type of hernia surgery you require will depend on several factors to be discussed with your doctor, including the size and type of hernia you have, its location, your age, your overall health and your doctor's recommendation.⁷

Hernia Surgery Risks

Like all surgeries, hernia repair surgery carries with it general risks that include:⁷

• Infection at the wound site
• Excessive bleeding¹
• Blood clots
• Chronic groin pain, possibly due to nerve damage during surgery
• Reaction to anesthesia¹
• Temporary difficulty urinating after surgery¹
• Recurrence of the hernia over time

Recovery From Hernia Surgery

Postsurgical discomfort can usually be managed with acetaminophen or ibuprofen, although your doctor may prescribe something stronger if necessary.³ Monitor the surgical site for signs of infection, such as redness or swelling, drainage issues, fever or sudden increased pain, and call your doctor if you experience any of these symptoms.⁵

During the recovery period, it's essential to follow your surgeon's postoperative instructions carefully, which may include taking prescribed medications, wearing a supportive abdominal band and attending follow-up appointments.

You'll need to be cautious about lifting objects heavier than 10 pounds (a bit more than the weight of a gallon of milk) or engaging in strenuous activity until you receive clearance from your surgeon.⁵ It's important to listen to your body, slowly increase your activity level and seek medical attention if you experience unusual symptoms or complications.

Individual recoveries can vary, so it's essential to discuss your specific situation and expectations with your healthcare provider to get an accurate estimate of your recovery timeline.

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Author Bio

Anne-Marie Kennedy is a freelance writer with more than 20 years of experience covering health and wellness, personal finance and real estate/investing.