A double hernia is when two inguinal or groin hernias occur on both sides of your groin area. It is also called a bilateral hernia as bilateral means both sides. Double hernias can also be referred to as simultaneous right and left inguinal hernias. A double hernia is quite common in men.

Depending on the size and symptoms of your double hernias, you may need surgical treatment. Surgery is the only way to repair a hernia. It involves pushing both of the hernia bulges back into place and strengthening both sides of your weakened abdominal wall area using a mesh.

Laparoscopic surgery is preferred for a double hernia. It allows both hernias to be repaired at the same time and patients have a quicker recovery compared to open hernia surgery.

Multiple hernias are caused by weaknesses on both sides of your lower abdominal wall. Your organs or tissues bulge out through these weak abdominal wall areas and cause a lump on both sides of your groin, called hernias.

An inguinal hernia can occur for various reasons. Weakening of your abdominal wall may be caused by ageing, doing strenuous physical activity or lifting heavy objects, excessive coughing and sneezing, constipation, being overweight or pregnant, smoking, an injury or abdominal surgery.

Multiple hernias may also occur due to congenital reasons if you have an inguinal canal defect present at birth.

Yes, it is possible and quite common in men to have two hernias at once if you have a weakness in both sides of your groin area or congenital reasons.

The recovery process after a double hernia operation is usually very quick. Recovery varies from patient to patient and depends on the type of hernia surgery performed. Most double hernias are treated using laparoscopic surgery with a faster recovery than open surgery.

After surgery, you will be able to walk around but it’s advised that you mostly rest initially.

Typically, you will go home the same day or the day after your double groin hernia procedure. You will be advised to eat a high-fibre diet and drink plenty to avoid constipation.

Your healthcare team will guide you on suitable painkillers if you have any pain.

After about two weeks you can resume light activities, driving and work. You should refrain from any heavy lifting or strenuous activity for four to six weeks. Most patients are fully recovered after six weeks - however in this time you should avoid lifting heavy objects or performing strenuous exercise to allow yourself to heal fully and properly.

The costs of a double hernia procedure vary from patient to patient. They depend on the type of surgery performed, your health, and your chosen Ramsay hospital.

Ramsay is recognised by all major medical insurers. Most medical insurance policies cover double hernias. We advise you to obtain written authorisation from your insurance provider before commencing your surgery.

We have a number of finance options if you are paying for your double hernia surgery yourself. These include all-inclusive TotalCare and interest-free finance with no deposit and monthly instalments at 0% interest.

Hernia repair surgery can be done through open surgery or minimally invasive surgery, depending on the severity of the hernia. Open surgery will involve making larger incisions for the surgeons to easily access the hernia, whereas minimally invasive surgery consists of making smaller incisions and uses smaller instruments to perform the surgery with a laparoscope.

The type of surgery that is performed will depend on your situation and what will work best for you based on the size of your groin hernia, where it is located and whether it is a unilateral or a bilateral hernia. However, minimally invasive surgery is often the preferred choice for many as there are not as many risks associated with it.

Yes it is possible to have multiple hernias or different types of hernias at the same time, but is much more common in men. The good news is that in most cases, they can be treated and repaired at the same time. Minimally invasive surgery is an effective way to treat hernias and offers a lower risk of infection and comes with a shorter recovery time, too.

A double abdominal hernia may not be painful at first, but over time whilst left unattended it can become painful, with simple acts like coughing, sneezing, or lifting heavy objects triggering the pain. Double hernia symptoms can include the following:

A bulge in the affected area which is more defined when upright
Burning or aching sensation at the bulge
Pain or discomfort in the groin area, which worsens when bending over, coughing, or lifting heavy objects
Heavy or dragging sensation in the groin area
Weakness or pressure in your groin
Pain and swelling around the testicles

Double hernia recovery time can be different for each patient depending on their individual situation; however, you should typically start to feel better after a few days, and within a week you should be recovering well. For a while though, you may feel discomfort or a pulling sensation in the affected area when you move, and you may also have some bruising in the region, which is normal.

Hernias are not something that will go away on their own, and if left untreated they are likely to get bigger and much more painful. The longer the hernia is left untreated, the higher the risk of developing complications that can result in health issues.

When a hernia is left untreated, there are two main things that can happen – obstruction and/or strangulation. An obstructed hernia is most common when a hernia is left untreated and is when a part of the intestine that has protruded through the opening gets trapped. The symptoms include nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, and a defined lump around the groin area.

A strangulated hernia on the other hand is a life-threatening condition in which blood flow to the trapped part of the intestine or tissue around it is cut off. This requires immediate medical attention as ignoring it can lead to severe health conditions including gangrene, shock, or intestinal perforation. Symptoms can include fever, sudden pain in the abdomen or groin that gradually worsens, a growing lump that turns dark and firm over time, and the inability to pass stools or gas.

Leaving a hernia untreated can result in many medical complications, some of which can be life-threatening . It’s extremely important that you get it checked as early as possible.

A double hernia groin surgery requires around a day in hospital – most patients do end up leaving for home on the same day. However, every patient’s circumstances are different, and some people may be required to stay for longer. The procedure itself takes under an hour to complete, but most hospitals will keep you in for longer to monitor your condition and see that you are stable and healing.