Hernia

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

Surgery Group LA
Should I get surgery for my hernia? An introduction to surgical treatments for hernias
Should I get surgery for my hernia? An introduction to surgical treatments for hernias

Hernias are a painful condition caused when an internal organ pushes through the muscles or tissues holding it in place. This can often cause a noticeable bump or lump to form around the affected region. A common example is when the intestines push through the abdominal muscles in your body. Hernias often occur around the abdominal or groin region and are most visible while standing.

Common symptoms of a hernia include: 

  • A feeling of fullness or constipation
  • Weakness and pressure around a sensitive area
  • A bulge or lump that does not go away
  • A tugging and burning aching sensation

Does my hernia need surgery?

In a few cases, if a hernia is small enough and doesn’t cause any pain or issues, you might be able to postpone surgery. However, most hernias do get larger over time and will most likely cause more serious complications if surgery is not performed soon. 

One of the most serious hernia-related complications is referred to as strangulation. Strangulations occur when the bulging organ in question is being cut off by muscle tissue, causing the tissue to swell up and possibly die. Once this happens your symptoms will begin to intensify causing: 

  • Nausea
  • Vomiting
  • Intense pain
  • The bulge turning red or purple

If any of these complications occur, it might be time to perform surgical treatment.

How does hernia surgery work?

During surgery, the tissue that is leaking out is placed back into its proper place, and the muscle tissue that is damaged is stitched back together. If the muscle in question is too weak to support the organs it may be reinforced with mesh, strengthening the placement of the organs.

The great news is that almost all hernia surgeries can be performed using minimally invasive laparoscopic technology. This type of surgery allows surgeons to use robotic interfaces while performing surgery, drastically reducing the incision point needed to perform surgery, and ensuring that the surgery is performed with pinpoint accuracy. 

Hernias can become painful or worse if they are not treated. If you believe that you are suffering from a hernia, now may be the time to speak with a medical professional to receive a consultation on a treatment plan for you.

January 10, 2022

Surgery Group LA
Is my pain a hernia? 3 commonly mistaken conditions for a hernia
Is my pain a hernia? 3 commonly mistaken conditions for a hernia

Hernias are a painful condition caused when an internal organ pushes through the muscles or tissues holding it in place. This can often cause a noticeable bump or lump to form around the affected region. A common example is when the intestines push through the abdominal muscles in your body. Hernias often occur around the abdominal or groin region and are most visible while standing.

Common symptoms of a hernia include: 

  • A feeling of fullness or constipation
  • Weakness and pressure around a sensitive area
  • A bulge or lump that does not go away
  • A tugging and burning aching sensation

However, these symptoms can be caused by a variety of factors and conditions. This is why it is so important that if you suffer from one of these symptoms to speak to a hernia specialist. That way they can specify if your painful condition is the result of a hernia or one of these possible medical issues.

Groin Strains

A hernia can often be mistaken for a groin strain as both conditions can cause a burning tugging sensation around the groin. They both can also cause weakness in the area for an extended period of time. The condition in question might be an inguinal or groin hernia if there is a lump on one side of your groin that is most noticeable while walking or standing. While people can suffer from groin hernia even without a bulge forming, a lump is the most common sign that you are suffering from a groin hernia and not simply a strain.

Ovarian Cysts

For women, hernias can often be small and internal, which is why they can often be misdiagnosed as ovarian cysts. Women are less likely to suffer from hernias compared to men, which can also be why hernias are misattributed to ovarian conditions. If a woman is continually suffering from abdominal pain or groin pain and other explanations have been ruled out, a hernia may be the cause.

Appendicitis

Strong intense pain around the abdominal region, especially if it comes on suddenly, can also be a sign of appendicitis. If you feel an intense abdominal pain that intensifies greatly over the course of 12 to 24 hours and is causing nausea and vomiting, this is probably not a sign of a hernia but a serious bacterial infection. Please consult a medical professional immediately if this is the case

Conclusion

There are a multitude of issues that may cause groin or abdominal pain. However, a hernia will often cause a lump or bulge that will be most prominent while standing. While some hernias can get dramatically worse, abdominal pain that onsets dramatically over the course of a few hours might be a sign of a serious infection that should receive treatment immediately. If you have any questions or concerns about groin or abdominal pain it is always a good idea to consult a medical professional as soon as you can.

January 10, 2022

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Surgery Group of LA is a multi-specialty surgical practice based in Los Angeles, dedicated to providing expert, compassionate care across a wide range of specialties including colorectal, thyroid, general, and minimally invasive surgery. Our board-certified surgeons are committed to delivering personalized treatment using the latest technology and techniques.

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Los Angeles, CA 90048
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