Is My Hernia Going to Burst or Explode?

a day ago

2 min read

0

8

0

What Sarasota Patients Should Know About Hernias & Robotic Hernia Repair

Many people with hernias worry: “Is my hernia going to burst or explode?” The good news is hernias don’t actually burst like balloons. But they can become dangerous if ignored, which is why patients in Sarasota, Bradenton, and Lakewood Ranch often seek early hernia evaluation by an experienced hernia surgeon.

What a Hernia Really Is

A hernia occurs when an organ or tissue pushes through a weak spot in the abdominal wall. Common types include:

Inguinal hernia (groin)
Umbilical hernia (belly button)
Incisional hernia (at a past surgical site)

Instead of “bursting,” a hernia presents as a bulge under the skin. The tissue pushes through the muscle wall, but the skin itself doesn’t break open.

Diagram of digestive system showing normal intestines and umbilical hernia. Intestines highlighted in pink, with red and yellow layers. — Hernia demonstrated as a defect in the abdominal wall. Small intestines can rarely protrude through the abdominal wall

Umbilical hernia protruding through the abdominal wall

Why It May Feel Like It’s Going to Pop

Patients often describe a hernia as feeling like it’s about to explode. This pressure sensation comes from:

Straining, coughing, or lifting heavy objects
Stretching of the hernia sac through a weak layer in the abdominal wall
Discomfort when the hernia becomes irritated or swollen

The skin is actually one of the strongest layers of the abdominal wall, which is why hernias don’t rupture outward.

In very rare cases, patients with advanced liver disease and ascites may experience leakage—but this is exceptionally uncommon.

A patient's abdomen showing a small umbilical hernia — Small umbilical hernia often described as an "outie" because it buges from the abdominal wall

When a Hernia Becomes Serious

Although hernias don’t burst, they can become dangerous if:

The tissue becomes incarcerated (trapped)
Blood supply is cut off (strangulation)

Warning signs include:

Severe or sudden pain at the hernia site
Redness or discoloration over the bulge
Nausea, with persistent vomiting
A bulge that will not go back in or get reduced

If these symptoms occur, call your doctor or go to the emergency room immediately.

small bowel ischemia or bowel death as seen from an strangulated hernia — When a hernia becomes strangulated it may cut the blood supply to the bowel causing bowel ischemia or death which requires a bowel resection

Robotic Hernia Repair in Sarasota, Bradenton & Lakewood Ranch

The best way to avoid complications is early evaluation by a board-certified hernia surgeon.

At Intercoastal General Surgery, Dr. Sergio Hernandez specializes in minimally invasive and robotic hernia repair, offering:

Smaller incisions
Less postoperative pain
Faster recovery
Lower recurrence rates for many hernia types

Whether you have a small umbilical hernia or a complex incisional hernia, we tailor treatment to your anatomy, lifestyle, and long-term health.

Adjusting instrument during robotic surgery — Robotic Surgery performed in a hernia in Lakewood Ranch

Bottom Line

Your hernia isn’t going to explode—but ignoring it can lead to serious complications. Early treatment often means simpler surgery and better long-term outcomes.

If you live in Sarasota, Bradenton, Lakewood Ranch, or the surrounding Gulf Coast, don’t wait for an emergency.

📞 Call 941-362-8662 today to schedule a consultation and learn whether robotic hernia repair is right for you.