Hernia Surgery in East Valley, AZ

Symptoms of Hernias

The location of a hernia affects its symptoms.

• Inguinal hernias may cause a bulge in the groin, which burns or aches. Pain, discomfort, pressure, weakness, or a dragging sensation may occur. Sometimes, there are no symptoms at all other than a bulge.
• Ventral hernias may be visible and feel tender to the touch, with increased pain when coughing, lifting, or straining during bowel movements.
• Umbilical hernias create a soft bulge and may be uncomfortable. This is at the belly button area.

Even if a hernia is asymptomatic, once discovered by a doctor, it may need to be treated. Hernias do not go away on their own and often will enlarge over time. However, large or enlarging hernias must be surgically repaired. In very rare cases, very large hernias or extremely complex hernias that have failed multiple prior repairs are sometimes best left alone. Your surgeon can make the determination of which option is best for you.

Types of Hernia Surgeries

There are three primary types of hernia surgery.

• Open surgery is the traditional method. Although becoming less common, in some cases, it may be the best option for your situation. Open procedures require a longer incision and a longer recovery time of about six weeks.
• Laparoscopy involves making several small incisions and inserting a tiny camera and surgical instruments to perform the procedure. Although less invasive, the surgery itself may be a bit longer. The advantage is that you recover faster, and there is a lower rate of infection or other complications.
• Robotic-assisted surgery (DaVinci System) is minimally invasive and provides the effective control of open surgery with the less invasive approach of laparoscopy. The surgeon operates the master controls from a console while viewing the operating area in real-time. The robotic arms perform the intricate procedure on the patient while under the surgeon’s control. The recovery time is similar to laparoscopy.  A common misperception is that the robot will perform the operation. The DaVinci robot cannot do anything on its own. Every movement and action is controlled by the surgeon. We are pleased to offer this technique to our eligible patients.

Using Mesh for Hernia Repair

We receive many questions about using mesh in our hernia repairs. As with everything in medicine and surgery, we seek to ensure the benefits are maximized and the risks are minimized. There are many different types of mesh and they all have their pros and cons. The benefits of mesh are that it can help bridge gaps created by the hernia and reinforce the tissue to create a stronger, longer-lasting repair.

Risks of mesh include but are not limited to:

• Pain
• Chronic pain
• Infection
• Adherence to non-intended structures, such as the intestine, which could cause blockages or leaks, and chronic pain

If you choose not to use mesh, recurrences may occur more frequently and sooner. Discuss with your surgeon any questions you may have about a mesh repair for your hernia.

Potential Hernia Repair Complications

As with all surgeries, there are risks involved with a hernia repair. Fortunately, these are very rare. These include but are not limited to:

• Bleeding, pain, or infection — in rare cases, you may have chronic pain
• Allergic reaction to the anesthesia
• Postsurgical infection
• Recurrence of your hernia — this is more likely if you are a smoker, use certain medications, such as steroids, are obese, lift heavy objects or engage in strenuous activities, or have conditions resulting in coughing or sneezing; it is more likely right after your surgery but can occur anytime
• Injury to abdominal structures such as your intestines, resulting in a leak or blockage
• Mesh-related complications — in the rare event your mesh becomes infected, it may need to be removed in another operation
• Other complications such as blood clots in your legs or lungs, respiratory failure, heart attack, stroke, pneumonia, and even death

Schedule Hernia Surgery in the Mesa, Gilbert, Chandler, Queen Creek & Surrounding Areas

Unlike other surgeries, hernias can be quite different between patients with the same type of surgery. A detailed examination and evaluation will be done beforehand to determine the best surgical options for your unique situation.

Surgical Professionals performs an extensive range of general surgery, including hernia surgery. It is one of the most common surgeries we do. We begin with a thorough consultation to make sure surgery is the right option for you. We also consider the unique variables of your situation. We look forward to working with you on your surgical journey.

Please contact us today to schedule a consultation for hernia surgery in Mesa, Phoenix, Gilbert, Chandler, Queen Creek or surrounding regions.

Please note that the above information is provided for general purposes only and may not apply to your specific situation. Our surgical capabilities may also be subject to change. Contact us to discuss your medical condition, determine the most appropriate treatment for your individual case, and confirm that we can address your procedure.