Incisional Hernia Surgery in Brisbane

What is an incisional hernia? An incisional hernia is a bulge that pushes through the site of an old surgical scar, where the tummy-wall muscle has weakened after a previous operation. It often appears months or years later and tends to grow, so most are best repaired.

Symptoms

• A bulge or swelling at or near a surgical scar
• Discomfort or a dragging feeling, worse with standing, lifting or coughing
• A lump that gets bigger over time
• Skin changes over a large hernia

Why incisional hernias form

An incisional hernia is defined by its cause — a previous cut in the tummy wall that has not fully healed. It is more likely after a wound infection, in people who carry extra weight, after several abdominal operations, or where the original wound was under tension. Smoking and poorly controlled diabetes also raise the risk.

How an incisional hernia is repaired

The aim is to return the tissue to where it belongs and rebuild a strong tummy wall, usually with a soft mesh that strengthens the repair and lowers the chance it comes back. Dr Goutham tailors the approach to the size and position of the hernia:

Keyhole (laparoscopic) and robotic repair

Keyhole surgery (also called laparoscopic) uses small cuts and a camera to place mesh from inside. For many incisional hernias, robotic-assisted repair — keyhole surgery guided by a robotic system the surgeon controls — allows precise reconstruction with smaller cuts and often a smoother recovery.

Open repair and larger hernias

Larger or more complex hernias may need an open repair. For a wide gap, the surgeon may use a technique called component separation: this gently releases the tummy-wall muscles so they can be brought back together over the gap, making the repair stronger and more natural. Dr Goutham will explain exactly what your repair involves.

Will it come back?

Modern mesh repair, and keyhole or robotic techniques, greatly lower the chance of an incisional hernia returning compared with simply stitching the gap closed. Stopping smoking, managing weight and good diabetes control before surgery also help the repair last.

Recovery

Recovery depends on the size of the hernia and the repair you need — we talk you through what to expect for your situation before the day. As a general guide: small repairs are often day surgery with a 1–2 week return to light activity; larger reconstructions may need a short hospital stay and around 6 weeks before heavy lifting. See what to expect after hernia surgery.

Fees

For privately insured patients, Dr Goutham offers a known gap — a small, capped out-of-pocket confirmed in writing before surgery. See hernia surgery cost.

Why choose Dr Goutham Sivasuthan

Dr Goutham Sivasuthan is a general and endoscopic surgeon, Australian-trained through the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons, and GESA-accredited (UQ MBBS; AHPRA MED0002000354) with a focus on minimally invasive (keyhole and robotic) hernia surgery at St Andrew's War Memorial, Mater Private Redland and Sunnybank Private.

Dr Goutham does not perform hiatal (paraoesophageal) or parastomal hernia repair — those are referred to upper-GI or colorectal sub-specialists.

Frequently asked questions

Last medically reviewed by Dr Goutham Sivasuthan, Specialist Surgeon — June 2026.