In a lean patient the incision for an inguinal hernia repair is 2 inches. I do a plastic surgery subcuticular skin closure oriented along the lines of Langer to minimize scarring. When the wound heals and matures the scar virtually disappears. Obesity causes need for a larger incision adding the depth of the fat to the length of the incision. My initials on the skin are part of the routine procedure for preventing wrong side surgery.