A Hernia is a defect (hole) in the muscles of the abdominal wall that hold your intestines safely inside. There are several different types of hernias but the three most common are an umbilical hernia (bellybutton), inguinal hernia a (groin hernia) and ventral incisional hernia (a hernia occurring in the scar of a previous surgery). A Hernia can be a small lump that does not cause pain or discomfort or it can be painful and troublesome, especially during physical activity. Many people do not realize that the lump is abnormal and believe it to be a normal part of their body until a doctor finds it during a routine examination. Sometimes hernias may not be readily visible due to excessive weight. The lump that is seen or felt is actually intra-abdominal fat and/or intestine or other organs that are pushing through the hole in the abdominal wall.