Hernia surgery

Surgery Group LA
Is their a link between Obesity and Hernias?

We all know what Hernias are. That awful pain and weakness occur when an internal part of your body pushes through the muscle wall holding them. If a Hernia is small enough, it might not need surgery right away, but most hernias will.

The real concern is how to ensure that your hernia surgery is free of complications or the need for other operations. The truth of the matter though is that for the majority of hernia cases, weight loss and nutrition are one of the most crucial factors in determining how successful your post-operation recovery will be.

The reason for this is threefold. First obesity raises the risk of getting hernias in the first place. Extra body weight puts more strain and pressure on the abdominal wall causing them to weaken over time. This can then lead to hernias or hernias that have already developed to increase in size and severity.

Obesity and excess body fat can also cause hernias to develop serious hernia conditions. Obese patients have a higher chance of having their hernias develop small bowel obstructions, or having their internal organs strangulating as they leak through the abdominal wall causing a chance of necrosis. 

Obese patients also have a higher risk of infection, and may not heal as quickly from their procedure. Obesity is also associated with hernia recurrence and the most severe risk, a pulmonary embolism, a severe complication where blood clots in the leg form causing heart attacks, strokes, and other serious illnesses.

The good news is that almost all of these risks can be mitigated with a consistent and gradual weight loss plan. Weight loss has proven time and time again to improve surgery recovery time,  and lessen the chance of reoccurrence or complications.

Some quick tips:

  • Stay hydrated with zero-calorie sweeteners – love soda but can’t handle the sugar, plenty of sweeteners have been developed that are tasty and natural and can be a great replacement for sugary juices and sodas that won’t hydrate you anyway
  • Start slowly by walking and talking – hate long cardio? Call a friend you’ve been meaning to catch up with or an important colleague you need to run things by with, you’ll be shocked how quickly the time and the miles will pass
  • Find rewarding meals instead of cutting stuff out – focusing on getting more positives (more fiber, more protein) in your diet has proven time and time again to be easier to stick to that focusing on removing negative (less sugar, less fat) and can make your diet plans fun and exciting instead of stale and punishing
July 26, 2022

Surgery Group LA
What to consider before selecting a hernia surgeon?

Hernias are small gaps in the abdominal wall where intestines and other internal organs have popped through. When these internal organs get trapped in the gap, it can cause a tugging sharp pain and an unseemly bulge around the stomach or groin region. Other symptoms include:

  • Aching and sharp pain
  • Pain that worsens with physical activity
  • A feeling of pressure in the painful region
  • Burning sensation (for women)
  • A bulge at the site of pain (for abdominal hernias)

Hernia requires surgical treatment in order for symptoms to subside. However, in order to make certain that you are making the right decision, it is important to ask these questions before selecting your hernia surgeon.

When do I need to get hernia surgery?

While all Hernias require surgery at some point, there is usually no need to call 911. Most cases of Hernia’s, especially Hernias that are small and stay the same size, won’t require surgery right away. However, if your Hernia becomes strangulated by the muscle around your hernia, it can cause serious complications.

If you develop these symptoms call a doctor right away:

  • A bulge that is worsening in pain and does not reduce in size while resting
  • Nausea and vomiting
  • Bloating
  • Racing heart rate
  • Fever

What questions should I ask prior to surgery?

Important questions to ask before any surgical treatment include what type of surgery your surgeon recommends. Important details to ask about include:

  • What are the risk factors associated with my surgery?
  • What are the potential complications with my surgery?
  • How long will my surgery take to heal?

While it might seem embarrassing or even insulting to ask your surgeon about their experience level and how risky the surgery is, but you’re the one getting the surgery. Any good surgeon should handle these questions in a friendly and honest manner to keep your mind at ease that you’re getting the best possible treatment you can. 

How to determine what makes a good Hernia Surgeon?

Nearly all Hernia Specialists will be able to provide you with adequate care for your Hernia. However, perks to look out for in a Hernia Specialist include:

  • Access to weight loss specialists and coaching in the case of obesity-related hernias
  • Experience with minimally invasive surgical techniques
  • Education and Experience

What makes Surgery Group of LA a good choice for Hernia Repair?

Surgeons at the Surgery Group of LA work out of the Cedar Sinai’s West Tower in Los Angeles, one of the most accredited and respected organizations around the world. They have access to the cutting edge in research in a variety of surgical specialties including Hernia Repair and working to develop safer and stronger surgical repairs every day.

If you or a loved one is suffering from symptoms of a hernia, talk to a medical professional today.

June 17, 2022

Surgery Group LA
How to tell if you have a hernia?

You’ve been dealing with a nagging pain in your stomach. It’s been a few days now, and it doesn’t necessarily feel like a gas of indigestion or cramps. You feel a sharp tugging pain, and no matter how much you stretch, drink water, or sleep the pain just won’t go away. This might be a sign that you actually have a hernia.

What is a hernia? What are its symptoms?

Hernias are small gaps in the abdominal wall where intestines and other internal organs have popped through. When these internal organs get trapped in the gap, it can cause a tugging sharp pain and an unseemly bulge around the stomach or groin region. Other symptoms include:

  • Aching and sharp pain
  • Pain that worsens with physical activity
  • A feeling of pressure in the painful region
  • Burning sensation (for women)
  • A bulge at the site of pain (for abdominal hernias)

Differences between Belly (Ventral) or Groin (Inguinal) Hernia?

Generally speaking, Ventral hernias are more common in women, and usually come with an unseemly bulge that starts to form around where is pain is coming from. A type of Ventral hernias common for patients who have had surgery on their abdomen is known as an Incisional Hernia. Nearly 30% of patients who undergo open abdominal surgery will at some point develop an Incisional Hernia. 

Inguinal Hernias are more common in men and do not form a bulge. Inguinal Hernias, however, can actually be underdiagnosed in women due to how different the symptoms of Inguinal Hernias manifest in men vs women.

Do Hernia’s require emergency room visits? 

No, almost all cases of Hernia do not require an emergency room visit. However, in the rare case of the bowels leaking through the hernia and getting trapped, this can cause serious complications that need to be treated immediately. If you have these symptoms it might be time to see a doctor right away:

  • A bulge that is worsening in pain and does not reduce in size while resting
  • Nausea and vomiting
  • Bloating
  • Racing heart rate
  • Fever

How do I prevent Hernias?

To prevent hernias, however, medically professionals recommend: 

  • Maintaining a healthy body weight
  • Eating enough fruit, vegetables, and whole-grain to avoid straining at the toilet
  • Use correct form when lifting weights or exercising
  • Speak to a doctor about persistent coughing and sneezing

The good news is that nearly all hernias can be surgically repaired. If you or a loved one have questions about Hernias, speak to a medical professional today.

June 17, 2022

Surgery Group LA
Researchers of new nonopioid therapeutic for hernia surgery pass phase 2 of clinical trials

Concentric Analgesics, a clinical biopharmaceutical company announced that one of their nonopioid therapeutics, Vocacapsaicin, had passed pilot phase 2 of their clinical trial on patients who have undergone hernia or other abdominal wall surgery.

Hernias are a painful condition where a part of an internal organ bulges out of a weak part of the abdominal wall causing bulging and pain. While surgery is an effective treatment, patients may suffer from pain and a lack of mobility after surgical treatment.

In their study, Vocacapsaicin was administered as a single dose after a ventral hernia repair or laparotomy surgery. In their study of 24 patients, patients reported less pain while coughing (46% less) or walking (35% less) compared to their placebo counterparts. Even better these patients reported that these effects lasted more than 7 days after the initial dose was administered.

This is great news for patients looking for pain relief after any surgery, but not willing to risk developing an attachment to opioid-based pain relievers. Opioid addiction or misuse affected 10.1  million people in 2019, and while numbers are trending downward, treatments like this are a great sign for the over 15 million people who have some sort of surgery every year. 

For patients who were looking to have surgery performed, but are unsure about post-surgery pain management, pharmaceuticals like these could prove to be a great option.

If you or a loved one have questions about hernia surgery and post-surgery pain management, consult a medical professional today.

March 31, 2022



About Surgery Group LA

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