I have gotten conflicting information from my PT and Primary Care doctor. My PT has indicated that I have an inguinal hernia and my primary care doctor say’s its a ventral hernia. My PT recommended that I change exercises. That by adding a few core exercises to my program that they suggested might allow it to heal on its own over an extended period of time. My primary care doctor indicates that it is impossible for the hernia to heal on its own, and that only surgery can fix this issue. I have not had a flare up of the two spots my hernia protrudes ie no burning pain since I modified core exercises in over 6 months. However, I tend to avoid the exercises that I feel cause the hernia to protrude and hurt like sit ups. The hernia pops out at two spots one near my belly button and the other below my rib near the top of my stomach area. I can still squat and deadlift without issue ie no pain or flare ups. Based on not having pain is great, as I struggled for 2 years thinking I had muscle cramps. First, Is it likely that a hernia can heal on its own? I suspect it cannot. Two, is there a way to get information about return to sport from a hernia surgery from the pain and rehab team at BBM? It appears the surgeons in my area have no knowledge of lifting and the people who have gotten similar surgeries, where given limited information. They were told not to lift more then 10 pounds for two week, and then for the next two weeks no more then 50 lbs. There were no recommendations to build load over time or how to progress. If I get the surgery, which is likely, I would like to have a plan in place to return to lifting and exercise. Thanks for your assistance as I am skeptical of the medical advice on Reddit.
Can’t give you medical advice here, but no, this will not heal on its own. Yes, we can cover return to sport and guide you through it via consultation. The current post op exercise guidelines after inguinal hernias are to NOT GIVE ANY RESTRICTION. The assumption is, there’s a low risk of exercise causing harm and that any restriction may prevent people from exercising, which would be bad.
I would not listen to medical advice on Reddit, though I also wouldn’t recommend going off of a forum reply. I think any specific medical question you have relevant to you the individual would be best handled via consultation with us or with your physician 
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