Hernia Surgery in Scottsdale, AZ
A hernia references the abnormal protrusion of an organ or tissue through an abdominal wall. Hernias don’t typically go away on their own and, if left untreated, may grow larger. There is no age limit in terms of who hernias can affect. They can be both painful and painless; if blood flow is cut off from your intestine, life-threatening issues may arise.
The team at Surgical Professionals is here to assist you should you be diagnosed with a hernia or feel as though you may have one. In order to ensure no further complications, it’s important to consult with an expert that can determine the best course of action for your specific circumstance. With decades of experience in the field, we’re eager to support you in every way we are able.
To schedule a consultation or hernia surgery, contact us at 480-892-2456 or online to learn more!
Hernia Types
Depending on the location in the body, hernias are categorized as the following:
- Inguinal hernia: This occurs in the groin or upper thigh.
- Ventral hernia: This occurs through the layers of the abdominal wall in any location.
- Umbilical hernia: This is a hernia that develops through a weakness in the navel region.
- Incisional hernia: This typically involves an incision down the middle of the stomach and usually happens after a previous surgery.
- Hiatal hernia: This is when the stomach bulges through the diaphragm. These surgeries are not currently offered at Surgical Professionals, but we would be happy to refer you to another surgeon who performs these procedures.
Hernia Causes
Sometimes, individuals are born with hernias, though they most commonly occur as a result of a weakened point in the abdominal wall met with excessive pressure. Some activities that cause hernias include:
- Strenuous exercise or lifting, which may suddenly impact employees working careers centered around heavy lifting
- Straining during bowel movements or urination
- Pregnancy
- Obesity; this can be relieved from or reduced by weight loss surgery
- Frequent coughing or sneezing
Hernia Symptoms
Although some hernias are asymptomatic, all should be checked out and treated by a doctor as they do not go away on their own. Symptoms of hernias are determined by where and what kind of hernia you are facing:
- Inguinal hernia: These may cause a bulge in the groin that will burn, ache, or result in overall discomfort, although sometimes a bulge will be present without symptoms.
- Ventral hernia: These are often visible and tender to the touch and can increase in pain when coughing, lifting, or straining during bowel movements.
- Umbilical hernia: These result in a soft bulge and may be uncomfortable near the belly button.
Types of Hernia Surgeries
The three primary types of surgery are:
- Open surgery: This is the most traditional method. Although it is less common, it may still be the best choice for your situation, though it requires a larger incision and a longer recovery time of about six weeks.
- Laparoscopy: This involves making several small incisions used to insert a tiny camera and other surgical instruments needed for the procedure. It’s a less invasive surgery, but the procedure may last longer; however, you are able to recover faster and there is a lower rate of infection or other complications.
- Robotic-assisted surgery (Da Vinci System): This method merges the effective control of open surgery and the less invasive approach of laparoscopy. The surgeon controls from a console while viewing the operating area in real time. Robotic arms perform the procedure delicately while being controlled by the surgeon. The recovery time is similar to a laparoscopy.
Using mesh during surgery might be a controversial subject, but we want our patients to know that it can help bridge the gaps created by hernias and reinforce the damaged tissue. Using mesh is up to the patient, but without it, hernias may recur sooner or more frequently.
Potential Risks of Hernia Surgery
As is the case with any surgery, there are potential risks that the patient should be aware of before agreeing to the procedure:
- In rare cases, the patient may be met with chronic pain. Bleeding or an infection may also occur.
- An allergic reaction to the anesthesia is possible.
- Postsurgical infection may occur.
- Recurrence of hernias may happen, though this is more likely if you are a smoker, use certain medications (such as steroids), are obese, lift heavy objects, participate in strenuous activities, or have conditions that cause coughing or sneezing.
- Leaking or blockage can be a result of damage to your abdominal structures (such as your intestines).
- Although rare, the mesh inserted during surgery may become infected and need to be removed.
- Blood clots in your legs or lungs, respiratory failure, a heart attack, a stroke, pneumonias, and even death may occur.
Schedule a Consultation in Scottsdale With Surgical Professionals Today
Serving the Scottsdale area since 1979, we at Surgical Professionals are dedicated to providing our clients with detailed evaluations before determining the best plan as every case is different. Considering hernias are quite common, hernia surgery is one of the most performed and prioritized procedures we specialize in. If you have been diagnosed with a hernia or are questioning if you may have one, don’t run the risk of your hernia enlarging or other potential complications occurring – reach out to us today.
Contact Surgical Professionals at 480-892-2456 or reach out online to learn more about what we can do for you!