Hernia Surgery in Brisbane

Brisbane hernia surgeon with specialist expertise

A hernia is a gap or weakness in the muscle wall through which tissue pushes — and surgical repair is the only way to fix it permanently. The right repair depends on the hernia's type, size, your prior surgery and your health, which is why an individualised plan matters.

At Upper Edge Surgery, Dr Goutham Sivasuthan — an Australian-trained General and Endoscopic Surgeon — provides safe, effective hernia repair for patients across Brisbane, Redland, Moreton Bay and Logan. He specialises in inguinal (groin) hernia surgery, abdominal wall and umbilical hernia repair, femoral hernia repair and rectus divarication repair, using both keyhole (laparoscopic) and open techniques. You see Dr Goutham personally at every visit, with direct access before and after surgery.

What is a hernia and why repair it?

A hernia occurs when internal tissue or fat protrudes through a weak point in the abdominal or groin wall, creating a visible lump and sometimes pain or pressure when lifting, coughing or straining. Common sites are the groin, the belly button, previous surgical scars and the lower abdominal wall.

While some hernias are painless at first, they do not heal on their own and usually enlarge over time. Repairing a hernia electively — before it becomes a problem — is safer than waiting for an emergency. The main risk of leaving a hernia is incarceration (tissue becomes trapped) and strangulation (the blood supply is cut off), which is a surgical emergency.

Common types of hernias we treat

Hernia symptoms and when to seek care

The most common sign is a lump that may come and go. Typical symptoms include:

• A visible bulge in the groin or abdomen, often clearer when standing or straining
• Aching, dragging or burning around the bulge
• Pain when lifting, coughing or bending
• A feeling of heaviness or pressure in the abdomen or groin

Seek urgent care if a hernia becomes firm, very painful, or cannot be pushed back in, especially with nausea or vomiting — this may indicate a strangulated hernia needing emergency surgery.

How a hernia is diagnosed

Most hernias are diagnosed by a clinical consultation and physical examination. Where the diagnosis is unclear — for example a small or intermittent hernia — Dr Goutham may arrange imaging:

• Ultrasound — useful for small or hard-to-feel groin hernias.
• CT scan — detailed imaging of the abdominal wall for larger, complex or recurrent hernias and surgical planning.

Treatment options and types of repair

Surgery is the definitive treatment for most hernias. Very small, symptom-free hernias may be safely watched, but any hernia that is growing, painful or affecting daily life should be repaired. There are two main approaches, chosen to suit your hernia and health:

Mesh, recurrence and durable repair

Most modern hernia repairs use a soft mesh to reinforce the weakened wall, much like a patch over a tyre. Mesh dramatically lowers the chance of a hernia coming back — recurrence is typically under 5–10% with mesh repair, compared with higher rates for older suture-only techniques. For large or recurrent abdominal-wall hernias, advanced methods such as component separation allow the muscles to be brought back together without excessive tension. Dr Goutham selects the mesh type and technique to suit your individual anatomy and will explain the choice with you.

Recovery after hernia surgery

• Light activities within 1–2 weeks after keyhole surgery
• Return to heavier lifting within 4–6 weeks
• Slightly longer recovery after large or complex open repairs

Recovery tips: avoid heavy lifting early, keep your bowels regular with a high-fibre diet to avoid straining, stay gently active with daily walking, and attend your follow-up appointment so healing can be checked.

For a step-by-step walkthrough, read hernia surgery: what to expect, or see our recovery after hernia surgery guide.

Risks of hernia surgery

Hernia repair is very safe and one of the most common operations performed in Australia. As with any surgery, possible risks include bleeding, infection, bruising, fluid collection (seroma), nerve irritation or chronic discomfort, and — uncommonly — recurrence. Serious complications are rare. Dr Goutham will discuss the risks relevant to your specific hernia and how they are minimised.

Hernia surgery FAQs

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