I had a hernia (inguinal) diagnosed about 4 months ago and considering the alternatives realised there were only two. First, do nothing. This is not really an option as complications can arise. Surgery is really the only one. I thought about keyhole surgery, but as I understand it some problems with this. The only possible course of action was a regular hernia operation. I had a choice of a general anaesthetic or a local anaesthetic. As I was in the happy position of never ever in my previous 74 years of life had to have an operation this was new, and a little alarming to me. In the end I selected a local anaesthetic. I was amazed at how easy and trouble free this was. I didn't need to be in hospital overnight. I only had to be in the recovery ward for about 2 hours and was even able to have a light lunch. A word of caution - it is most important that after the operation that one does NOT go lifting anything other than something light. One should not reach up for things. No picking up grandchildren. No kicking balls etc. No wielding heavy spanners. In short - do very little other than something light and do it as well as possible!!  

 There was one other alternative to an operation and that is wear a truss which holds all of your insides together and in more or less the right place. There are two kinds of truss. One is a powerful metal spring which is an absolute nightmare to wear. The other is a webbing harness which is OK -- but really the problem is still there. And it isn't great to wear a truss all the time, so one gives oneseld a break -- then the hernia pops out again with all of the aching and pain that that entails. Have the op!  In my view have a local anaesthetic. And relax.