Hello and thanks for you queries at Doctor Spring. The chances are that if you have an inguinal hernia (inguinal refers to the groin region) that is causing pain, you will require a hernial repair surgery. At this stage, surgery is the best option for treatment. A hernia occurs when there is weakness of the muscles causing a protrusion of the contents of the inguinal canal. The surgical repair involves making an incision at the site, pushing back the contents that have protruded and then repairing the muscle to keep the area intact and strong (sometimes a mesh is used for further reinforcement). Here are the answers to your questions:

1. The cost of surgery varies depending on where you live, to the type of procedure (whether done laparascopically), the facility where you having the procedure done, etc etc. The range of costs may vary anywhere from $3,000-10,000 and this includes the costs of the procedure, the surgeon's fees, the cost of the anesthesia medication, and hostpital fees etc. If you have insurance it may cover most of the costs.

2. You will need to research reputable surgeons in your area in order to find the one that is right for you. A general surgeon can perform the operation for you and board certified surgeons are preferred. Find out the costs for the particular entity as well to see if the surgeon and facility is a right fit for you.

3. The procedure itself takes 1 hour and you may spend several hours of recovery in the hospital. Thereafter, you will be sent home the same day and you will need a few days of rest to allow the area to heal. Overall, after 1 week, you should be able to return to normal activities.
You can travel a few days after the operation. Just make sure to keep the wound clean and follow proper wound care to keep the area intact and prevent infection. After the first few days, try to walk and do light activity to encourage blood flow and circulation and promote healing.

If you have any other questions please feel free to ask follow ups if necessary. Take care.