Hernia Surgery in Walnut Creek & the East Bay
What Is a Hernia?
A hernia occurs when tissue or part of an organ pushes through a weak area in the surrounding muscle or connective tissue. Hernias commonly develop in the abdomen or groin and may cause a visible bulge, pressure, aching, or pain that becomes more noticeable with coughing, lifting, bending, or straining.
Some hernias cause few or no symptoms, while others become painful or increase in size over time. Treatment depends on the type of hernia, symptoms, location, and risk of complications and may range from monitoring to surgical repair.
Types of Hernias We Treat
Hernias can develop in different areas of the abdomen, groin, or diaphragm. Hernia Innovations evaluates and treats inguinal, hiatal, umbilical, ventral, incisional, femoral, epigastric, Spigelian, and other abdominal wall hernias throughout the East Bay.Symptoms and treatment recommendations vary by hernia type. Explore the conditions below to learn where each hernia develops, common symptoms, how it is diagnosed, and when surgical repair may be considered.Then your type links.I would remove “using advanced imaging and diagnostic techniques” from the current paragraph. Not every hernia needs advanced imaging. Many are diagnosed clinically, so it adds an unnecessary claim.
Symptoms and treatment recommendations vary by hernia type. Explore the conditions below to learn where each hernia develops, common symptoms, how it is diagnosed, and when surgical repair may be considered.
Hernia Treatment Options
Hernia repair can be performed using open, laparoscopic, or robotic-assisted surgical techniques. The appropriate approach depends on the type and size of the hernia, its location, previous surgeries, symptoms, overall health, and other individual factors. Open, laparoscopic, and robotic repair are all established approaches to hernia surgery.
Our surgeons develop an individualized treatment plan based on each patient's hernia and clinical needs. Depending on the repair, treatment may also involve surgical mesh or other techniques to reinforce the weakened area of the abdominal wall.
Why Choose Hernia Innovations?
Hernia Innovations provides specialized hernia evaluation and surgical care through a team of board-certified surgeons serving the East Bay. Our surgeons treat common and complex hernias using open, laparoscopic, and robotic-assisted techniques when appropriate for the individual patient.
With locations in Walnut Creek, Concord, Antioch, and Brentwood, patients can access consultations, pre-operative care, and follow-up closer to home. When surgery is recommended, our team coordinates the appropriate surgical facility and guides patients through treatment and recovery.
Meet Our Hernia Specialists
Patient Reviews
Hernia Surgery & Treatment Resources
Learn about hernia symptoms, diagnosis, surgery, recovery, and when to seek medical care through educational resources from Hernia Innovations.
Frequently Asked Questions About Hernias
Laparoscopic hernia repair is a minimally invasive surgical procedure used to fix a hernia. A hernia is an opening or weakness in the abdominal wall that can allow organs, such as the intestine, to push through.
During a laparoscopic hernia repair, the surgeon makes small incisions in the abdomen and inserts a tiny camera and surgical instruments into the body. The surgeon then fixes the hernia using sutures or mesh. This type of surgery typically results in less pain and faster recovery than traditional open surgery.
At Hernia Innovations, we specialize in laparoscopic hernia repair. It is the safest and most modern hernia treatment currently available.
What are the most common symptoms of a hernia?
Hernia symptoms vary depending on the type and location. A common sign is a lump or bulge in the abdomen or groin that may become more noticeable while standing, coughing, lifting, or straining.
Other symptoms can include:
- Aching or pressure near the hernia
- Burning or tenderness
- Pain during lifting or physical activity
- A feeling of heaviness in the abdomen or groin
Some hernias cause few or no symptoms. Hiatal hernias are different because they occur at the diaphragm and may cause symptoms such as heartburn, reflux, or difficulty swallowing rather than a visible abdominal bulge.
What are the different types of hernias?
Common hernia types include:
- Inguinal hernia: develops in the groin and is the most common type
- Femoral hernia: develops near the upper thigh or lower groin
- Umbilical hernia: occurs at or around the belly button
- Hiatal hernia: occurs when part of the stomach moves through the diaphragm
- Incisional hernia: develops at or near a previous surgical incision
- Epigastric hernia: develops in the upper abdomen between the belly button and breastbone
- Spigelian hernia: develops along the side of the abdominal wall
The symptoms, risk of complications, and recommended treatment vary by hernia type.
Does every hernia need surgery?
No. Not every hernia requires immediate surgery.
Some hernias that cause few or no symptoms may be monitored. Other hernia types or hernias that are painful, enlarging, difficult to reduce, or at greater risk for complications may be recommended for surgical repair.
The appropriate treatment depends on the type of hernia, symptoms, anatomy, overall health, and individual risk factors.
What is laparoscopic hernia repair?
Laparoscopic hernia repair is a minimally invasive surgical approach that uses several small incisions, a camera, and specialized instruments to access and repair a hernia.
Depending on the type of repair, the surgeon may use sutures, surgical mesh, or both to reinforce the weakened area. Laparoscopic surgery is one of several possible approaches, along with open and robotic-assisted hernia repair.
The most appropriate approach depends on the type and complexity of the hernia, previous surgeries, anatomy, and individual patient needs.
What is the difference between open, laparoscopic, and robotic hernia surgery?
Open hernia surgery uses an incision near the hernia to access and repair the weakened area.
Laparoscopic surgery uses several small incisions and a camera to perform the repair.
Robotic-assisted surgery is another minimally invasive approach in which the surgeon controls robotic instruments through small incisions.
There is no single surgical approach that is best for every hernia. The recommended technique depends on the hernia type, size and location, previous surgeries, anatomy, and the patient's overall health.
When is a hernia an emergency?
Most hernias are not emergencies, but complications can occur when tissue becomes trapped or loses its blood supply.
Seek immediate medical care for symptoms such as:
- Sudden or rapidly worsening pain
- A hernia that becomes very tender, firm, or cannot move back into the abdomen
- Persistent nausea or vomiting
- Significant abdominal swelling
- Redness or darkening of the skin over a hernia
- Symptoms of bowel obstruction
A strangulated hernia occurs when blood flow to trapped tissue is compromised and is a medical emergency.
Can a hernia go away on its own?
Most hernias in adults do not repair themselves because the underlying opening or weakness in the abdominal wall remains. However, that does not mean every hernia requires immediate surgery.
Some hernias that cause few or no symptoms may be monitored, while others are more likely to require surgical repair based on their type, symptoms, size, and risk of complications.
