A hernia usually forms on a weak spot of the abdomen where a hole forms through which some fat tissue or intestines can glide through and cause symptoms.
What are the symptoms of hernias? Depending where the hernia is located at abdomen the symptoms can be different. In case of inguinal, umbilical, femoral or incisional hernia discomfort and often a lump at the hernia site are frequent. Especially when straining (e.g. coughing) a hernia can become more symptomatic. Sometimes a hernia can cause a blockage (obstruction, incarceration). This means some fat or a loop of intestine is trapped in the hernia and can cause severe pain. If this occurs the blood supply to the trapped loop of bowel can be compromised and you need urgent surgical attention. In case of a Hiatus Hernia next to pain behind the chest bone they can cause Gastro – Oesophageal – Reflux – Disease (GORD).
Different types of hernias (most common):
- Inguinal hernia – inner body fat, the intestine or bladder protrudes into the inguinal canal in the groin
- Incisional hernia – the intestine or body fat pushes through the abdominal wall where there may have been previous surgery
- Umbilical hernia – part of the small intestine or body fat passes through the abdominal wall near the belly button
- Hiatus hernia – when the top part of the stomach protrudes through the hiatus (an opening in the diaphragm through which the oesophagus passes)
- Femoral hernia – the intestine or body fat enters the canal carrying the femoral vessels into the upper thigh
What You Should Know about Laparoscopic Hernia Surgery
- Minimally invasive: We recognise that a hernia can be extremely painful, which is why our goal is to cause you as little pain as possible post-surgery. Laparoscopic surgery involves small incisions and the insertion of a small camera to allow the doctor to operate. For most inguinal/ femoral and hiatus hernias the minimal invasive laparoscopic approach is our preferred method.
- Mesh: Especially for inguinal and femoral hernias usually a mesh is used which gives the best long term repair. Mesh is not always required for umbilical hernia repairs but for a hiatus hernia repairs a mesh is often not necessary.
- Recovery time: The standard recovery time for laparoscopic hernia surgery is between one and two weeks to go back to light duties and only do activities you are very comfortable to do. It’s crucial that you follow our instructions during this time. For example, we never advise any strenuous activity until at least four weeks after surgery and recommend for the average patient a maximal lift of about 10 kg as long as it can be done comfortable. Thereafter you can go back to your normal physical activity Postoperative Patient Info. Keep in mind that some of our patients may require more recovery time than others. In some situations an open hernia repair might be the better or safer option (e.g. umbilical hernias, specific medical conditions or previous surgery) often it requires only small incision to do an open umbilical or inguinal hernia repair. Some very large hernias (e.g. incisional hernias) may require a bigger incision to provide a good long term repair. Nevertheless, this will be discussed with you in detail during your consultation with Dr Harald Puhalla.
What you can expect from Dr Harald Puhalla, General Surgeon on the Gold Coast, regarding a hernia procedure
We want you to feel as though you are in experienced hands throughout the process of resolving your hernia problem. When you work with us, you can always anticipate the following.
- Realistic expectations: We don’t want you to feel unprepared going into or coming out of surgery. Our team provides you with a detailed overview of the surgery process and how you can prepare both before and after surgery Postoperative Patient Info.
- Professional staff: One of our goals is to help you feel comfortable from the moment you come to our office to the second that you leave after your surgery. Our team works with you to understand the discomfort you are experiencing and supplies you with support avenues to improve your recovery.
- General practitioner referrals: Our office welcomes the opportunity to work with other doctors for the well-being of any patient. If your doctor would like to discuss specific details of your medical history, we encourage him or her to reach out to us at any time.
About Dr Harald Puhalla, General Surgeon
The professionals who support Dr Harald Puhalla, General Surgeon, work to provide you with a positive and friendly environment to remove the concerns that can come along with hernia surgery.
Our staff is dedicated to staying up-to-date with the latest surgery trends so that we can always provide you with the best care possible.
To schedule an appointment to discuss keyhole hernia surgery with us on the Gold Coast, reach out to us today.