Hernia Surgery
Put yourself in the hands of the experts at VHC Health Physicians Surgical Specialists. Rely on us for specialized surgical treatment of all types of abdominal hernias, from the simplest to the most complex.
What’s a Hernia?
A hernia is when a weakened part of your muscle wall or an area of torn tissue allows an internal organ to push through, creating a bulge or lump. Hernias often happen in the abdomen or groin and do not resolve on their own.
Hernia Symptoms
You may not have symptoms depending on the type of hernia you have. Common signs include:
- Acid reflux (heartburn)
- Bulge
- Nausea
- Pain or soreness
- Swelling
If you have these symptoms, get medical help for a hernia before it gets bigger or causes complications like bowel obstruction (strangulation).
Personalized Evaluation & Tailored Treatment
You’ll benefit from a personalized, comprehensive evaluation from a general surgeon at VHC Health to diagnose and treat a hernia. The location and type of hernia helps your doctor determine the surgical procedure best suited for you to avoid repeat hernias and complications.
Experienced, Highly Trained Surgeons
Feel confident you’re getting top-quality care from true hernia specialists at VHC Health.
Trust our fellowship-trained, expert surgeons for advanced minimally invasive surgical techniques, including laparoscopic and robotic surgery. Robotic hernia surgery at VHC Health may allow you to experience better patient outcomes, such as:
- Faster recovery
- Fewer complications
- Less pain
- Quicker return to normal activities
- Smaller scars and better cosmetic results
Type of Hernia Surgeries
When you receive a hernia diagnosis, your surgeon may recommend surgery based on the type and severity.
Hiatal Hernia Surgery
A hiatal hernia occurs in the breathing muscle separating the chest from the abdomen, where the esophagus attaches to the stomach. The stomach bulges up into the chest through that opening. You may not have any symptoms. Often with a hiatal hernia, you experience heartburn, GERD or occasional chest pain.
Hiatal hernia repair surgery involves making five tiny incisions to insert a scope and surgical instruments. Doctors may combine this type of hernia repair with an anti-reflux procedure (fundoplication).
Inguinal (Groin) Hernia Surgery
Inguinal hernias result from a weak spot, tear or opening in the muscle wall of the lower abdomen or groin. Abdomen organs, such as the intestine, may stick out through the muscle creating a bulge and pain. These are the most common adult hernias; more men have them than women.
Modern hernia repair is “tension-free” and involves placing a mesh in the groin instead of pulling tightly and stitching muscle edges together, resulting in less pain and recurrence. Tension-free hernia repairs use two surgical approaches:
- Open repair through a groin incision over the hernia area
- Laparoscopic and robotic repair, or “key-hole” surgery, with the help of a scope through three tiny incisions
Our surgeons have extensive experience in both repair techniques but favor laparoscopic and robotic repair to get you back to normal faster with the lowest risk of problems and recurrent hernia formation.
The surgery usually takes 30-45 minutes. You’ll go home a few short hours after your procedure with minimal pain and few restrictions.
Umbilical (Belly Button) Hernia Surgery
Umbilical hernias develop in and around the belly button or navel because it’s a naturally weak area. Hernias can occur in this area from birth through late adulthood. This type of hernia is an “outie” belly button (instead of a normal navel) and an associated bulge. If the intestine becomes trapped within the hernia, urgent surgery is needed.
Small hernias repair uses a very small incision just below the hernia, then closes it with stitches or a small mesh. Large umbilical hernias use robotic surgical repair with three tiny incisions, a tiny camera and instruments to repair the hernia with a mesh.
Umbilical hernia repair surgery is an outpatient procedure. You’ll go home shortly after surgery with minimal discomfort, few restrictions and can usually return to normal activities in a few days.
Ventral & Incisional Hernia Surgery
Ventral hernias occur anywhere on the abdominal wall. Incisional hernias occur at a prior surgical incision site. Ventral and incisional hernias can vary from small to large, multiple and complex. These hernias cause part of the intestines to protrude through a hole or defect in the abdominal wall. They do not go away and tend to get progressively larger, causing more symptoms or complications like bowel obstruction or strangulation over time.
Modern repair uses a “tension-free” technique with mesh. We favor minimally invasive robotic surgery for most ventral and incisional hernia repairs. We also use robotic technology to reconstruct complex abdominal walls for large and complicated hernias.
