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I'm looking for informed opinions and advice on dealing with an inguinal hernia. I noticed the lump on my right pubic area about 5 months ago, but it didn't bother me at all, so I didn't do any research or go to the doctor. Fast-forward to a month ago - I caught a cold and started coughing a lot. The pubic area started to hurt, so I looked it up and found out I had a hernia. General physician confirmed the diagnosis. I'm seeing a purportedly excellent surgeon tomorrow for his professional advice, and will probably have to decide between getting a very simple outpatient surgery or doing nothing about it. I suppose my questions are: ^1 - are there any unconventional treatments that I haven't heard about? ^2 - has anyone had inguinal hernia repair before? did you experience any complications? ^3 - are you familiar with the mesh some surgeons use to repair the stomach wall? will my body recognize this as a foreign substance? will this complicate or compromise my body's long-term health?