Doctor won't do hernia surgery because there is no bump yet, how common is this?

A hernia is a piece of intestine that protrudes through the muscular wall, thus the "lump". Intestinal surgery is not entered into lightly as complications can happen very easily. My cousin has the same issue. He has a lump but the docs are hesitant to operate unless it really really bothers him because he suffered complications before. It may be that the surgeons' hands are tied with regard to his insurance that unless there is a protrusion the surgery may not be authorized but only your doctor can speak to that issue. Can you wear an abdominal support during activities?