Hernia Surgery
and Treatment

A hernia is a common condition that occurs when part of an internal organ or tissue bulges through a muscle. An inguinal hernia occurs when the intestines or fat from the abdomen bulge through the lower abdominal wall into the groin area.

Simply based on their anatomy, it’s more common for males to develop inguinal (groin) hernias, but it is possible for females to get them as well.

For males, as the testicles develop in the abdomen, it creates a small area of weakness. When a baby is in the womb, after the testicles form in the abdomen, they then move down the inguinal canal into the scrotum. The inguinal canal closes almost completely shortly after birth, leaving just enough space for the spermatic cord to pass through the abdomen, but not enough room for testicles to move back into the abdomen. However, this canal may not close properly, which can leave a weakened area prone to hernias.

The common symptoms of a hernia are aching or sharp pain at the hernia site, a feeling of pressure, a bulge you can see or feel, and discomfort that increases with activity. For males, a tugging sensation of the scrotum is a sign of an inguinal (groin) hernia.

Yes, obesity causes abdominal pressure and indeed makes you at higher risk for the development of a hernia in addition to recurrence. If you suffer from obesity, you may be asked to lose weight before moving forward with surgery to give yourself the best outcome.

Hernias can start small, painless, and of no major concern but with time, they can then become larger, extend into the scrotum, or the bowel can become obstructed. Large unrepaired hernias can put pressure on surrounding tissues and, in men, can extend into the scrotum causing pain and swelling.

If a loop of the intestine gets trapped in a weak spot in the abdominal wall, it can obstruct the bowel, leading to severe pain, nausea, vomiting, and being unable to have bowel movements or pass gas – this is referred to as an incarcerated hernia. In more serious cases, you can develop gangrene in your intestines, which can be life-threatening.

Please call us if you have any questions. If your pain is severe and you think it’s an emergency, please visit your local emergency room.

Inguinal hernia is the most common, and it can occur when the intestines or fat from the abdomen bulge through the lower abdominal wall into the groin area.

Here is a list of the most common types of hernia:

• Inguinal hernia (more common in men than women)
• Femoral hernia (more common in women than men)
• Umbilical hernia (common infants and young children)
• Incisional hernia (common after certain types of surgeries)
• Epigastric hernia (often have mild or no symptoms)
• Hiatal hernia (can lead to an upper GI disease like GERD)

Treatment for a hernia will be decided based on several factors like size, recurrence, obstructed or incarceration, and comorbidities such as obesity and smoking. Hernias are usually repaired using mesh. There are some cases where the hernia defect is small enough to be closed with sutures, but this is atypical.

Laparoscopic Repairs are performed with general anesthesia and require the use of a breathing tube. Three half-inch or smaller incisions are made in the lower part of the abdomen. In laparoscopic hernia repair, a camera called a laparoscope is inserted into the abdomen to visualize the hernia defect on a monitor.

Robotic Repair is a newer technique for repairing hernias, in which the surgeon is seated at a console and handles the surgical instruments from the console.

Open Repair is a single long incision, which can be made in the groin, the umbilicus, or the abdomen for ventral hernias. If the hernia is bulging out of the abdominal wall (a direct hernia), the bulge is pushed back into place. If the hernia is going down the inguinal canal (indirect), the hernia sac is either pushed back or tied off and removed.

All laparoscopic, robotic and open hernia surgeries are done in an outpatient hospital under general anesthesia. Dr. Tahir has great relationships with several facilities across Arizona where he is able to perform surgeries. We take care of scheduling and all the logistics for you.

99% general anesthesia and 1% local anesthetic used at incision sites

There is currently no Ventralex mesh recall by the FDA. The Ventralex Hernia Patch is a self-expanding polypropylene and ePTFE patch that allows for an intraabdominal, tension-free repair.

This technique is designed to eliminate the lateral dissection typically required for preperitoneal placement, which may help minimize post-op pain. Deep placement of the prosthetic also allows for a strong repair and less chance of recurrence.

There are some very rare and few cases where the body rejects the mesh used for the hernia repair. Symptoms include fevers over 101 degrees, excessive abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, and stiffness in the abdomen. Again, there is currently no Ventralex mesh recall by the FDA.

The cost of outpatient surgery includes a professional fee (Dr. Tahir), hospital fee, anesthesia fee, and pre-op testing fee (labs, EKG, chest x-ray, etc). Payment arrangements can be made with all parties involved.

At Tahir Surgical Clinic, we’re transparent about pricing. If treatment is not covered under your insurance, we’ll get the best cash-pay rate available through our contracted facilities.

For insured patients, we’ll provide a breakdown of what’s covered under your health insurance. Including any out-of-pocket expenses so you know what to expect before proceeding with surgery.

Most insurance companies approve all hernia repairs, they are medically necessary in almost all cases. During the initial consultation, Dr. Tahir will examine the hernia and determine the type of hernia, and the best technique to repair it. The office will then start the authorization process with the insurance company, as well as receive medical benefit details.

Patients will be called with approval and benefits explanation prior to surgery. Authorizations typically take 5-7 business days to process through insurance.

Dr. Tahir is affiliated with several facilities but he is a separate entity, in addition to the anesthesiologist. The facility fee is separate from the professional fee and they are not collected together.

If you have any further questions, don’t hesitate to call us.

Post-operative swelling in the groin, testicles, and umbilicus can occur for 7-10 days after surgery. In rare cases, fluid build-up can develop and may need to be removed by aspiration.

Difficulty urinating or the urgency to urinate can occur within the first 72 hours after surgery. Dr. Tahir may recommend that you return to the hospital or office depending on the severity of your symptoms.

Constipation can occur in the first 2 weeks after surgery and Dr. Tahir may advise you to take an over-the-counter stool softener or laxative.

It’s recommended that patients avoid lifting, pulling, or pushing over 15 pounds for 1-3 weeks, depending on the severity of the hernia and technique performed.

Avoid bathing and/or hot tub for 2 weeks.

Patients are typically sent home with waterproof bandages and are able to shower 48 hours after surgery.

There are no diet restrictions after surgery, nausea or stomach upset may occur. If so, you can try bland, low-fat foods like plain rice, broiled chicken, toast, and yogurt.

*Call 911 if you or someone you know may need emergency care. For example, if they pass out (lose consciousness) or experience shortness of breath.

Click here for the full post-operative instructions.

Every patient’s healing process is different, in addition to your particular hernia repair, but most patients require 7-10 days for recovery and adequate healing. Depending on job duties, you may be advised to stay out of work for 1-3 weeks before returning without restriction.

Return to work release form & restrictions form can be provided by the office, if needed for employment, school, gym, trip or physical therapy.