1 And some people may never need surgery for a small hernia. 2  If the hernia is small and you don't have any symptoms, or if the symptoms don't bother you much, you and your doctor may simply continue to watch for symptoms to occur.here are two types of hernia repair surgeries: 1  Open hernia repair surgery. 2  The hernia is repaired through a cut (incision) in the belly. 3  Open surgery is safe and effective and has been done for many years. 4  Laparoscopic hernia repair.