I recently had surgery(aug 07) wereI had a hernia in the top middle of my chest, prior to that I had a mass removed to were I have a large cut from my breast bone to my belly button.. I realize that I was having pain and that my stomach was bulging out, it was then I went to the hospital and they told me I had a hernia, my option was to have the surgery, inwhich they removed the hernia and then they placed some type of mess in the area so that it would not come back. It's been over a year since the surgery and i'm very pleased with the out come.. I stayed at the most 2 days in the hospital.. I truley hope this information was helpful to you...