Risk factors that contribute to hernias include:
- Smoking
- Obesity/Body Mass Index (BMI) of 35 or higher
- COPD or chronic cough
- Poor nutrition
- Pregnancy
- Chronic heavy lifting
- Enlarged prostate and other urinary tract obstructions
- Chronic constipation
How do I know if I need hernia surgery?
If you are experiencing any of the symptoms above, surgery may help correct the problem and relieve your discomfort. Schedule a consultation now.
Am I a candidate for hernia surgery?
To ensure the best outcome, patients should:
- Quit smoking at least three weeks prior to surgery and not smoke for eight weeks after surgery.
- Have a BMI of less than 35.
- Maintain controlled sugar levels, if diabetic, with an A1C of 7 or less.
- Have no active skin conditions in the affected area.
What if I don't have surgery? Can it get worse?
Hernias will not go away on their own. Over time, they can increase in size or symptoms can worsen. In rare cases, emergent surgery may be required. It's best to be proactive and seek surgical advice early on. Elective surgery is often recommended.
Are there any non-surgical options?
Surgery is the standard of care for hernias. However, depending upon your risk factors, and after consulting with your surgeon, initial or permanent watchful waiting may be an alternative.
How will I know if my insurance covers my hernia consultation and surgery?
Prior to your first appointment, Mercy financial navigators will verify that your care is covered under the conditions of your insurance. If there are any issues, they will contact you.
Mercy General Surgery Clinic’s four board-certified general surgeons perform a variety of hernia surgery based on the needs of each individual patient. The group performs open, laparoscopic and robotic hernia repairs. Read more about our general surgeons:
Sajida Ahad, MD, FACS
Dr. Ahad is a fellowship-trained minimally invasive surgeon with expertise in abdominal, inguinal and hiatal hernias.
Bulent Cetindag, MD, FACS
Dr. Cetindag, brings his expertise in all aspects of hernia surgery, including advancement flaps for repair of complex and large abdominal wall hernias.
Imran Hassan, MD, FACS, FASCRS
Dr. Hassan is a colorectal surgeon that provides added expertise on complex stoma site hernias and hernias with fistulas.
Nora Royer, MD, FACS
Dr. Royer performs open and laparoscopic repairs of inguinal and abdominal wall hernias.
Robotically assisted laparoscopic approach – a less invasive option utilizing the da Vinci® robot. The da Vinci system enables surgeons to perform even the most complex and delicate procedures through very small incisions with unmatched precision. For patients, it means:
- Significantly less pain
- Less blood loss
- Less scarring
- Shorter recovery time
- A faster return to normal daily activities
- And, in many cases, better outcomes
