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Common Types of Hernias
The most common type is the inguinal hernia which occurs in the groin area. Other common kinds include ventral hernias in the abdominal wall, umbilical hernias around the navel, incisional hernias at previous surgical sites, and hiatal hernias in the upper stomach area. Each type of hernia has its own unique symptoms and needs specific approaches for treatment.
At Orange County Robotic General Surgery, Dr. Khosravi specializes in treating three primary types of hernias: inguinal hernias, ventral hernias, and hiatal hernias. Each of these hernia types requires a specific type of treatment, and Dr. Khosravi's advanced robotic training allows for precise, minimally invasive repair of these conditions.
What Causes a Hernia?
Hernias develop when pressure combines with muscle weakness. This could happen as a result of heavy lifting, chronic coughing, pregnancy, or obesity. Sometimes, muscle weakness is present from birth, and in other cases, it develops over time.
Hernia Risk Factors
There are several factors that increase a person’s risk of developing a hernia, and they include age, family history, smoking, and chronic constipation. Poor nutrition, heavy lifting, and any previous abdominal surgeries also increase the likelihood of getting a hernia.
Preventing Hernias: Best Practices and Lifestyle Changes
Not all hernias are preventable, but there are ways to reduce your risk of getting one with proper body mechanics. When lifting heavy objects, for example, make sure to bend at the knees rather than the waist and engage your core muscles. Avoid holding your breath during strenuous activities, as this increases abdominal pressure. It’s also important to understand and recognize your body’s limits to avoid overexertion, particularly when you’re exercising or doing any manual labor.
Lifestyle for Hernia Prevention
Daily habits matter when it comes to hernia prevention. Taking steps to maintain a healthy weight reduces the strain on your abdominal muscles, and following a balanced diet rich in protein and fiber supports muscle health and keeps digestion regular. Regular exercise with a focus on core-strengthening movements also helps build the muscle tone that’s needed for hernia prevention. Additionally, smokers who quit tend to see multiple benefits, such as improved tissue healing and relief from chronic coughing that strains abdominal muscles.
How Hernias Are Diagnosed
Diagnosing a hernia usually starts with a physical examination. A doctor will examine you both standing and lying down, and they’ll look for telltale signs like bulges or abnormalities. During this examination, you might also be asked to cough or strain, as doing this often makes hernias more noticeable and helps the doctor assess their severity.
Hernia Diagnostic Tests
Along with the physical exam, your doctor will take a look at your complete medical history, paying special attention to risk factors and previous surgeries that might influence hernia development. During the diagnosis process, the doctor will palpate the affected area to better understand the hernia's characteristics, such as its size, location, and whether it can be pushed back in.
Imaging for Hernias
If the doctor needs more detailed information after a physical exam, imaging tests help create a complete picture of the hernia. With ultrasounds, doctors can observe hernias in motion and examine soft tissue in real-time. For hernias that require an even deeper look, CT scans create detailed cross-sectional images, and MRIs show intricate soft tissue details of the hernia. Undergoing these different tests helps your surgical team develop the most appropriate treatment plan for you.
Treatment Options for Hernias:
A Focus on Ventral Hernias
Hernias do not go away on their own, and surgery becomes especially necessary when hernias cause pain, grow larger, or risk complications. A doctor will evaluate several different factors like size, symptoms, and lifestyle impact to decide what type of surgical repair is best for you. Many patients in Orange County seek out treatment when their day-to-day activities become uncomfortable or when their hernia starts to show signs of growth.
Ventral Hernia Treatment
When it comes to ventral hernia repair in Orange County, treatment options have advanced significantly. Today’s surgical techniques allow for precise repair of the abdominal wall, with approaches tailored to each patient's specific condition. When recommending the best treatment approach, your surgical team will look at factors like hernia size, location, and overall health.
Inguinal Hernia Treatment
Inguinal hernia repair has evolved with the introduction of robotic surgery techniques. Using the da Vinci Surgical System, surgeons are now able to perform these repairs through tiny incisions with enhanced 3D visualization and precise control. This advanced approach typically results in faster recovery times and less postoperative discomfort compared to traditional open surgery.
Hiatal Hernia Treatment
Hiatal hernia repair becomes necessary when patients experience severe heartburn, inflammation, or difficulty swallowing. At Orange County Robotic General Surgery, the procedure involves carefully repositioning the stomach and reinforcing the diaphragm opening. Using robotic-assisted techniques, surgeons perform this procedure with exceptional precision to reduce acid reflux symptoms and help patients return to their normal eating and digestive function.
Hernia Repair at OC Robotic Surgery
At Orange County Robotic General Surgery, we offer both traditional open surgery and minimally invasive approaches using the state-of-the-art da Vinci Surgical System. Although open surgery is necessary in some cases, such as emergency procedures or complex reconstructions, our robotic procedures use very tiny incisions and provide surgeons with enhanced 3D visualization.
This advanced technology translates to much smaller incisions, minimal blood loss, and faster recovery times for most patients. Your surgical plan will be tailored to your specific condition, and we’ll take into account different factors like hernia complexity, any previous surgeries, and your overall health status. Dr. Khosravi will walk you through the different options and determine which surgical approach offers you the safest path to recovery.
Robotic Ventral Hernia Repair
During robotic ventral hernia repair in Orange County, surgeons control the da Vinci system's precise instruments while viewing high-definition 3D images of the surgical site. Having this enhanced visualization and control allows for meticulous repair of the abdominal wall, with the surgeon making careful adjustments throughout the course of the procedure. The robotic system translates the surgeon's hand movements into smaller, more precise actions.
Benefits of Robotic Surgery
Patients who undergo robotic ventral hernia repair in Orange County often experience significantly less post-operative pain and faster recovery times compared to traditional surgery. The precision of robotic surgery typically results in minimal blood loss, reduced surgical trauma, and shorter hospital stays. Many patients return to their normal activities sooner, with excellent outcomes and a lower risk of complications.
OC Robotic Surgery has elevated ventral hernia repair in Orange County through the use of advanced robotic technology. Using the sophisticated da Vinci Surgery System, we perform precise repairs through tiny incisions rather than the larger cuts that are used in traditional surgery. Taking this approach allows us to bring together the best of surgical skill and technological innovations.
Managing Hernia Surgery Risks
Minimizing risks starts with choosing an experienced surgical team and following all of the pre-operative instructions provided to you. After surgery, you should carefully follow recovery guidelines to help prevent complications. This will include taking medications as prescribed, keeping your incision clean and dry, and avoiding strenuous activities until you’re officially cleared by your surgeon. If you happen to notice signs of infection or severe pain, contact your healthcare provider immediately.
Hernia Post-Surgical Care and Recovery
After undergoing ventral hernia repair in Orange County, most patients are able to return home within 24 hours of surgery. The first few days of recovery focus on rest and gentle movement, with pain and discomfort gradually decreasing over time. While individual recovery varies, most patients can return to their normal activities within four to six weeks, although some heal more quickly with minimally invasive approaches.
Post-Operative Care
In the first few hours after ventral hernia repair, you'll need someone to monitor you while the anesthesia wears off. Your care team will provide pain medication and recommend cold compresses to keep you comfortable. Many patients find that wearing an abdominal binder also helps support the surgical area and reduces discomfort during movement. While you can typically return to showering after 48 hours, you'll need to wait for your surgeon's approval before taking any baths or swimming.
Recovery Tips for Hernia Surgery
Having a successful recovery from ventral hernia repair in Orange County depends on how closely you follow the guidelines provided by your surgeon.
Start with short walks to help with circulation, but avoid strenuous activities and heavy lifting.
Eat small, nutritious meals and stay hydrated to support healing.
When coughing or laughing, use a pillow against your abdomen for support.
Hernia Surgery Complications
Even though complications from hernia surgery are rare, it's still important to understand potential warning signs. Watch out for severe pain that worsens instead of improving, unusual redness or warmth near the incision, fever, or drainage from the surgical site. Some patients may also experience temporary numbness or a pulling sensation close to the incision, but this typically goes away over the course of the healing process.
Frequently Asked Questions About Hernias and Their Treatment
If you’re ready to take the next step in hernia management, you can trust your care to Dr. Khosravi, a fellowship-trained robotic surgery specialist and SRC-accredited Surgeon of Excellence at Providence St. Joseph Hospital Orange. Contact Orange County Robotic General Surgery today to schedule a consultation and learn more about minimally invasive ventral hernia repair options.
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