When Terry King was diagnosed with an inguinal hernia his GP referred him to Benenden Hospital for treatment.
What is an inguinal hernia?
A hernia occurs when an internal part of the body pushes through a weak area of muscle or surrounding wall tissue. There are several different types of hernia. An inguinal hernia (groin hernia) occurs when fatty tissue, or part of the bowel, pushes through the abdominal wall into the groin. The area the hernia moves into is called the inguinal canal.
Inguinal hernias occur mainly in men but can still affect women too, they can be sensitive or painful and can cause bulging in the groin area. Pain can be experienced during exercise, when coughing or bending over. It can be sharp with a burning sensation. Some people experience swelling in the scrotum and a sensation of fullness or heaviness in the groin.
How is an inguinal hernia diagnosed?
“I was experiencing some discomfort in my left side last year so I booked an appointment with my GP. After an examination of the area, I was diagnosed with an inguinal hernia. Once diagnosed, my GP referred me to Benenden Hospital for a consultation. I have been a member of Benenden Health for many years so it was a first choice for me.”
Laparoscopic (keyhole) hernia surgery
Terry said: “My first visit was for an initial consultation with Consultant General Surgeon, Mr Fazal Hasan who was very agreeable. On 6 August 2021, I had laparoscopic hernia surgery at Benenden Hospital. It was a same-day procedure, so my wife dropped me off at around midday and she picked me up at 7pm ready to return home. We live on the Surrey-Kent border near Sevenoaks so being a same-day procedure meant we didn’t have to do too many trips.”
A hernia repair is usually performed under a general anaesthetic and you’ll be in hospital for up to six hours post operation. Therefore, you may be required to stay overnight if your surgery is later in the day.
“Throughout my patient journey I felt very supported and was put at ease by my Consultant and the Nurses in the recovery area.”
Terry's post-surgery experience
“I had a phone call a week after my surgery as a check-up. I had no other side effects, apart from a slight twinge in the operation area.
“I’m a very active person, I attend a Pilates class every week, I love playing golf, going on long walks, visiting national trust properties and exploring historical places. I’m also very musical and I sing folk music and play concertina for a local Morris dancing side. After my hernia repair surgery, I could return to participating in my hobbies very quickly. Overall, I had a very positive experience at Benenden Hospital.”
Listen to Terry talking about his successful hernia surgery at Benenden Hospital.
Hernia treatments webinar and fast access to general surgery
Are you struggling with hernia symptoms? Our general surgeons use a wide range of knowledge and skills to deal with a variety of conditions, though they mainly focus on abdominal problems including laparoscopic (keyhole) hernia surgery.
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Published on 17 January 2023