Hernia Repair Specialist
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Ray Sheppard Jr., MD
General Surgery and Advanced Robotic Surgery located in Huntsville, AL & Madison, AL
A hernia repair is one of the most common general surgeries performed in the United States and is available at Ray Sheppard, MD General Surgery. Thanks to minimally invasive techniques, including robotic surgery, hernia repair is now safer and more effective than ever, and Dr. Sheppard has considerable experience using these techniques. If you want a quick resolution of your hernia, and you’re located in the Madison or Huntsville, Alabama, area, please call or schedule an appointment online.
Hernia Repair Q & A
What is a hernia?
In the simplest of definitions, a hernia occurs when a body part or an organ pokes through a weak spot in your muscles or tissue. There are many different types of hernias, including:
Inguinal
This type of hernia affects men far more than women (by 8 to 1) and forms in the inguinal canal in your lower abdomen and groin. With these hernias, a piece of your intestine protrudes through your abdominal muscles, which can lead to pain and discomfort. While other tissue can create the same effect, it’s mostly your intestines that are involved.
Umbilical
As the name suggests, this hernia occurs when tissue or your intestine pushes through your abdominal wall near your belly button. This condition typically affects babies, but adults can develop umbilical hernias, as well.
Femoral
This hernia affects women far more than men and occurs when tissue or intestine pushes into your groin at the top of your thigh.
Hiatal
This type of hernia happens when a part of your stomach pushes up through your diaphragm.
Ventral
A ventral hernia occurs when tissue bulges through a weakness in your abdominal wall. It’s most often associated with previous surgeries that may have weakened your abdominal muscle, which is why they’re often called incisional hernias.
How are hernias treated?
To repair most hernias, Dr. Sheppard relies on minimally invasive surgical techniques to fix the weakened area. Using laparoscopic tools and/or robotic arms, he first moves the displaced tissue or organ back into position. Then, using the same tiny instruments, he repairs the hernia by placing a mesh over the site to provide additional strength to the tissue. Dr. Sheppard determines the best course of action based on your unique situation.
What is recovery like after a hernia repair?
Because Dr. Sheppard uses the latest techniques available, which require only small incisions, you benefit from shorter recovery times. He performs most of these procedures on an outpatient basis, but this depends upon the extent and location of your hernia.
Once you’re cleared to go home, you’ll need to take it easy for a little bit and avoid strenuous activities. Rest assured, Dr. Sheppard gives you complete aftercare instructions and will greenlight your return to your normal activities based on your individual recovery.
If you need a hernia repair, trust the capable hands of Ray Sheppard, MD. Call or book an appointment online to get started.
