Medical Oncologist
CION Cancer Clinics
Hernia at the operation site | CION Cancer Clinics
An incisional hernia is a bulge at or near a tummy scar, where the muscle wall underneath has not held and fat or bowel pushes through. It can appear months or years after surgery. Most are not emergencies, and many can be watched or repaired later. This page explains how it is recognised, the warning signs that cannot wait, and the options your team weighs. CION Cancer Clinics’ surgical oncologists in Hyderabad can talk this through with you.
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Medically reviewed by Dr. Mohammed ImaduddinConsultant Surgical Oncologist · MBBS, MS (General Surgery), MCh (Surgical Oncology) · last reviewed September 2026, next review due September 2027
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On this page
- What is an incisional hernia after surgery?
- What makes a hernia at the scar more likely?
- Could the lump be the cancer coming back?
- What can be done about an incisional hernia?
- What do people believe about hernias after surgery, and what is true?
- What do the words on your report mean?
- Common questions about incisional hernia after surgery
The short answer
What is an incisional hernia after surgery?
An incisional hernia is a bulge at or near an operation scar on the tummy, where the muscle wall underneath has not held together fully and fat or bowel pushes through the weak spot. It is a known problem after abdominal surgery, it is usually not an emergency, and it can often be watched or repaired.
What it looks and feels like
You may notice a soft swelling along or beside the scar. It often gets bigger when you stand, cough, lift or strain, and flattens when you lie down. Some people feel a dragging ache. Others feel nothing and only spot it in the mirror.
When it appears
It can show up within the first few months after the operation, but it can also appear much later, sometimes years afterwards. The skin scar can look perfectly healed on top while the deeper muscle layer has a gap beneath it.
What this page cannot tell you
It cannot tell you whether your own swelling is a hernia, or whether it needs repair. That needs an examination, and sometimes a scan.
A hernia is a problem of the muscle wall. It is not a sign that the cancer operation failed.
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When a hernia cannot wait
Go to the nearest emergency department straight away if the bulge becomes hard, very painful or tender, turns red or dark, or will no longer go back in when you lie down. The same applies if you start vomiting, your tummy swells, or you cannot pass wind or stool. This can mean bowel is trapped and losing its blood supply. Tell them about your cancer operation. Do not try to push it back forcefully.
Not sure whether this applies to you?
Ask an oncologistWhy it happens
What makes a hernia at the scar more likely?
Anyone who has had an abdominal operation can develop one. These things make the muscle wall slower or weaker to heal.
How the wound healed
A wound that became infected or opened up in the first weeks leaves a weaker repair in the muscle layer underneath.
Also more likely after
- A long cut down the middle of the tummy
- An emergency operation
- A repeat operation through the same scar
Your general health
Carrying extra weight around the tummy, smoking, poorly controlled diabetes and poor nutrition all slow healing. Long-term steroid tablets can weaken tissue too.
Cancer treatment
Chemotherapy, radiotherapy to the abdomen and weight loss from the illness can all affect how firmly the deep layers knit together. This is one reason hernias are common after cancer surgery.
Strain during recovery
A heavy cough, straining on the toilet, or lifting heavy weights before the wall has strengthened all push against the repair.
Support the scar with a pillow or your hands when you cough or sneeze.The worry behind the bulge
Could the lump be the cancer coming back?
Most soft bulges at a scar that come and go with standing and lying are hernias. Even so, after cancer surgery any new lump deserves to be checked, and a surgeon is the right person to tell the two apart.
How it is checked
The surgeon will look at the scar while you stand, lie down and cough. A hernia usually pushes out with a cough and can be gently eased back. If the swelling is small, firm, does not change, or the examination is unclear, you may be sent for an ultrasound or a CT scan. The scan shows the gap in the muscle and what is passing through it.
What to bring to the appointment
Bring your operation notes, discharge summary and your latest scan reports. Note when you first saw the bulge, whether it has grown, and whether it ever becomes painful or stays out.
Why it may already be on a scan
Hernias are often spotted on follow-up scans done to check on the cancer. The report may mention one before you have noticed anything yourself. Ask your oncologist or surgeon to explain what it means for your plan.
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The options
What can be done about an incisional hernia?
The choice belongs to you and your surgical team. These are the options they usually weigh, from least to most involved.
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Watching it
A small hernia that causes no pain and goes back easily is often left alone and checked at follow-up. This is common while cancer treatment is still going on, or when an operation carries more risk than the hernia does.
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A support belt
An abdominal binder, a wide elastic belt, holds the bulge in and can ease the dragging feeling. It does not close the gap. Ask your team to fit the size, because a badly fitting belt can press in the wrong place.
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Open repair
The surgeon opens the scar, returns the contents and closes the gap, usually strengthening it with a mesh. It suits larger or more complex hernias.
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Keyhole repair
Some hernias can be repaired through small cuts using a camera. It is not suitable for every hernia or every abdomen, particularly after several operations. Ask your centre whether it is offered and whether it fits your case.
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Timing around cancer care
Repair is often planned after chemotherapy ends, or combined with another planned operation. What the team weighs is your recovery, the cancer plan and how much the hernia troubles you.
Commonly believed
What do people believe about hernias after surgery, and what is true?
"A hernia means the surgeon made a mistake."
Incisional hernias happen after carefully performed operations too. Healing, infection, weight, coughing and cancer treatment all play a part. It is a recognised risk of abdominal surgery.
"Every hernia must be operated on at once."
Many small hernias that cause no trouble are safely watched. The decision depends on symptoms, size, your health and your cancer plan. Urgent surgery is for the warning signs above.
"Wearing a tight belt will make it go away."
A belt can make you more comfortable and hold the bulge in. It cannot close a gap in the muscle. Once a hernia has formed, only a repair closes it.
"After a repair, it can never come back."
Repaired hernias can return, more so after several operations or if healing is slow. Keeping to a healthy weight, not smoking and avoiding heavy strain during recovery all help.
On your report
What do the words on your report mean?
- Incisional hernia
- A hernia that forms through the scar of an earlier operation.
- Defect
- The gap in the muscle wall that the contents push through. Reports often give its size.
- Reducible
- The bulge can be eased back inside, usually by lying down. This is the less urgent kind.
- Incarcerated
- The contents are stuck and will not go back in. This needs to be seen soon.
- Strangulated
- Trapped bowel is losing its blood supply. This is an emergency.
- Mesh
- A sheet of surgical material placed over the gap to strengthen the repair.
Questions we are asked
Common questions about incisional hernia after surgery
How do I know if the bulge near my scar is a hernia?
A hernia is usually soft, gets bigger when you stand, cough or strain, and flattens when you lie down. But only an examination can confirm it. Show any new bulge near your scar to your surgeon. Go to emergency straight away if it becomes hard, very painful or will not go back in.
Can I prevent a hernia after abdominal surgery?
You can lower the chances. Avoid heavy lifting until your surgeon says it is safe, hold a pillow over the scar when you cough, and avoid straining on the toilet. Stop smoking, eat enough protein and keep diabetes well controlled. Even with all of this, some hernias still happen.
Is it safe to lift my grandchild with a hernia?
Heavy lifting pushes on the weak spot and can make the bulge larger or more uncomfortable. Ask your surgeon what weight is safe for you. Until then, sit down and let the child be placed on your lap rather than lifting from the floor.
Will I need a hernia repair before more cancer treatment?
Usually not. Unless the hernia is causing serious problems, cancer treatment generally comes first and the repair is planned for later. Your surgeon and oncologist will decide the order together. Tell them if the bulge is growing or painful, because that can change the plan.
Is the mesh used in a repair safe?
Mesh is widely used for hernia repair and has been for a long time. Like any implant, it can occasionally become infected or cause problems. Ask your surgeon which type they use, why it suits your hernia, and what signs to watch for afterwards.
Should I wear an abdominal belt all the time?
Many people wear one during the day, especially when walking or working, and take it off in bed. Wearing it too tight or all night can irritate the skin. Ask your team for the right size and how long to wear it each day.
Can a hernia come back after it is repaired?
Yes, it can. It is more likely after large hernias, several previous operations, wound infection, smoking or carrying extra weight. Following the recovery advice closely and keeping follow-up appointments help catch any return early. Your surgeon can talk you through your own risk.
Is hernia repair covered by Aarogyasri or insurance?
Often, when the repair is medically needed. Cover depends on your scheme and policy. Aarogyasri, CGHS, ECHS, EHS and cashless insurers each have their own rules and paperwork. Call the helpline with your card or policy details and we will help you check before you plan anything.
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Sources
- NHS — Hernia
- Cancer Research UK — Surgery for cancer
- Macmillan Cancer Support — Surgery
- American Cancer Society — Cancer surgery
This page is general information, not a prescription. Do not change or stop any treatment based on what you read here. If anything is worrying you, contact your own treating team — or call our helpline and we will help you reach the right specialist.
Keep reading
Related pages
Wound Opening Up After SurgeryAn early wound problem that raises hernia riskSigns Your Wound Is InfectedCatch infection early while the wall is healingComplications and Red FlagsOther problems after surgery that need a callRecovery, Eating and Getting Back to LifeLifting, walking and returning to work safely
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