Pittwater Life June 2023 Issue

mesh. Mesh is generally made
of polypropylene which is a
polyester-based product that is
inert and incorporates into your
body to form a strong scar. It
is this scar that reduces the
risk of another hernia forming.
Alternatively, your surgeon
may recommend a keyhole
repair, in which case they use a
camera, typically through your
navel that allows them to see
the hernia from beneath. After
reducing the hernia, once again
meshing is used to reinforce
PAIN: Hernia
symptoms can
include a burn-
ing sensation.
the repair to reduce another
hernia from occurring. These
surgeries usually take an hour
or so and you may need to stay
in hospital overnight for post
operative care. In general, it
takes about six weeks for you
to complete the recovery and
it is usually six weeks before
you can do normal exercise and
normal lifting.
How to reduce the
risk of hernia
Everyone is at risk of a hernia
simply because of our body’s
design. Good overall health,
nutrition, fitness, and stable
weight are all sensible ways
we can reduce the chance of
developing a hernia. Learning
to lift correctly and maintain
core strength can also reduce
those risks. However, despite
all of this, it is still possible to
develop a hernia. The most important
thing to remember is if
you experience any symptoms
do not ignore them – see your
doctor to be assessed. Hernias
are much simpler with good
long-term outcomes when they
are small rather than waiting
until they are large and then
needing a much more complex
surgery to repair them.
– with Lisa Offord
* Dr Vasica is local to the
Northern Beaches providing
a service to all residents in
the emergency on-call roster
and elective lists at Pittwater
Day Surgery and the
Northern Beaches Hospital.
In addition to rooms in Mona
Vale’s Bungan Street Tower,
she also consults at the
Sydney Adventist Hospital in
Wahroonga.
Health & Wellbeing
The Local Voice Since 1991
JUNE 2023 43