Elderly patients may require overnight observation for 1 to 2 days while younger patients may not require an overnight stay.
Speak to your doctor before you begin any light activities. When the wound is no longer painful, you can resume light activities such as brisk walking, climbing stairs, jogging, and cycling, gradually increasing the intensity as your physical condition permits.
Early in your rehabilitation, you may be recommended to avoid lifting heavy items or engaging in intense, physical activities.
You may also be given an abdominal binder to wear to help support your abdomen.
An abdominal hernia is a protrusion through an opening in the muscles of the abdomen.
There are different types of abdominal hernias depending on the location:
Dr. Tan is a Fellowship-trained Breast & Endocrine Surgeon who is registered on the Specialist Register (General Surgery) in both Singapore and Australia. He completed his formal Breast Surgery training through the BreastSurgANZ Fellowship Programme. He was previously Head, Division of Breast & Endocrine Surgery, NTFGH where he was the pioneer breast surgeon there developing a comprehensive, evidence-based Breast Surgery service.
Dr. Tan is passionate about engaging the wider community with regards to breast cancer outcomes. He volunteers with the Singapore Cancer Society and served as the Chairman of the Breast Cancer Awareness Campaign Committee from 2018 to 2021. He continues to currently serve as a member of this committee. During his time in the public hospital, Dr. Tan was involved in research on breast cancer screening and care, where he succeeded in obtaining competitive grants and managing a research team, with the overall aim to improve breast cancer outcomes in Singapore.
Dr. Tan believes in the importance of the patient experience and the partnership between doctor and patients in healing sickness. He also believes no two individuals are the same. He believes in the philosophy of personalised tailor-made care plans for each of his patients to meet their individual expectations and needs.
Dr. Tan aims to provide comprehensive, evidence-based care to all his patients, in a modern equipped clinic along the entire spectrum of the patient journey from diagnosis, through treatment/surgery and aftercare.
When the patient is standing or straining, the hernia may grow more visible or larger, and when the patient is resting down, the hernia may go away. Discomfort, a dragging sensation, or even pain are all possible symptoms. A hernia can get larger if it is not treated.
It is recommended to immediately see a medical professional if you experience the following symptoms:
Patients with a genetic predisposition and are obese have a higher chance of being at risk of an abdominal hernia. It is recommended to go for scans if a hernia is suspected for early diagnosis and treatment.
There is currently no form of alternative treatment aside from surgery. Speak to your doctor to learn more about the treatment procedure.
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Dr. Tan Chuan Chien is a Fellowship-trained Breast and Endocrine Surgeon practicing as a Consultant General Surgeon at Gleneagles Hospital, Singapore. He also sees patients at Mount Elizabeth Novena Specialist Centre and Parkway East Medical Centre. Dr. Tan is a registered Specialist Surgeon (General Surgery) in both Singapore and Australia.
We are equipped with modern and updated equipment, and a team that will take care of all your needs.
Dr. Tan is a Fellow of the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons (FRACS). He is also accredited to practice as a Specialist in both Singapore and Australia.
Dr. Tan firmly believes that transdisciplinary care is the key to every patient’s recovery journey.
Dr Tan is available via video-consultations for patients who are not in Singapore.
An abdominal hernia can lead to serious complications if left untreated. An urgent emergency surgery will be required if your hernia is incarcerated or strangulated. An incarcerated hernia occurs when the projecting organ is unable to be pulled back into position in the body, whereas a strangulated hernia is when the protruding tissue’s blood supply is cut off. Both are medical emergencies.
The patient may experience vomiting from bowel obstruction or severe pain in the hernia or the abdomen from an incarcerated hernia or bowel strangulation. In the worst case, it may even lead to death due to the eventual necrosis and subsequent soiling from the strangulated tissue.
Physical examination of the abdomen is frequently used to make the diagnosis. An ultrasound or a CT scan may be used to confirm the diagnosis in cases that are less obvious. A CT scan or X-ray may be used to check for acute problems including intestinal obstruction or strangling.
Surgery is the only method available to repair an abdominal hernia. There are two forms of surgery to do so: open surgery or laparoscopic surgery. Dr Tan Chuan Chien will be able to advise you on the available options for treatment.
In open surgery, the surgeon makes an incision near to the hernia’s location which forces the protruding tissue back into the abdomen during open surgery. The area is then sewed shut, sometimes using surgical mesh to reinforce it. Finally, closing the incision.
This type of surgery involves a small camera and miniature surgical instruments. It requires only a few minor incisions and is more gentle on the surrounding tissue.
It is important to know that laparoscopic surgery is not appropriate or beneficial for all hernias. The type of surgery you require depends on the condition of the hernia you suffer from.
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