Hernia Surgeon
Surgery Options for Hernias in Los Angeles
What are the different types of hernias?
Hernias occur when an internal organ or other body part protrudes through muscles that cover internal tissues. The most common hernias protrude through the abdominal wall:
- Hiatal hernias: Develops when the top of the stomach pushes up through the diaphragm muscle.
- Inguinal hernias: An inguinal hernia develops when tissue — often a part of the intestine — pushes through a weak spot in the abdominal muscles.
- Incisional hernias: This type of hernia protrudes through an incision made during a prior operation. Incisional hernias may vary in size from tiny to massive.
- Ventral hernias: This is a generic hernia bulging through weak abdominal muscles. It’s sometimes used interchangeably with incisional hernia. When a ventral hernia occurs above the belly button, it’s called an epigastric hernia.
- Spigelian Hernia: a relatively rare hernia, it usually develops after age 50, primarily in men. The cause is usually a weakening of the abdominal wall, trauma, or prolonged physical stress
- Umbilical hernias: Develops when tissue bulges out through an opening in the muscles near the belly button.
Hernia Surgery Q & A
Seek medical care if you experiencing symptoms of a hernia.
What causes a hernia?
Hernias are caused by weakened muscles, which may exist since birth or develop over time from repeated strain on the abdominal muscles. Obesity and pregnancy can weaken abdominal muscles by stretching the tissues. Muscle weakness also develops due to exertion from physical activity, frequent coughing, and straining due to constipation. Hiatal hernias may arise from the weakening of the diaphragm caused by age or pressure.
What are the symptoms of a hernia?
Most hernias cause a noticeable bulge that disappears when you lie down. Hernias may be painful when you bend over, lift a heavy object, cough, or laugh. Otherwise, you may experience a dull ache, an increase in the size of the bulge over time, or the feeling that you’re full.
Hiatal hernias are an exception – they usually don’t cause a bulge. Instead, they cause symptoms such as heartburn, indigestion, bloating, fullness, difficulty swallowing, and chest pain.
At SCMSC, surgeons often use robotic, laproscopic or minimally-invasive surgery to repair hernias.
Hernia Repair Surgery
Hernias are often repaired using robotic, laparoscopic, or minimally-invasive surgery. Dr. Babak Eghbalieh is a nationally renowned robotic surgeon with the expertise to routinely repair hernias using robot-assisted surgery. He has performed more robotic general surgery than any other surgeon in all of Los Angeles and San Fernando Valley areas. His exceptional attention to detail, allows for superb planning and execution of every robotic hernia repair.
Both Dr. Eghbalieh and Dr. Young see patients throughout Southern California, with offices in Sherman Oaks, Valencia, Porter Ranch and Tarzana.
How are hernias treated?
Hernias never resolve on their own. Surgery is the only way to treat a hernia, but it doesn’t have to be open surgery. Dr. Eghbalieh repairs most types of hernias using minimally-invasive robotic surgery.
Robot-assisted surgery enhances Dr. Eghbalieh’s ability to see the tissues and perform complex surgical maneuvers with even greater precision than can be done by the human hand. Robotic surgery may also lower the risk of the hernia returning.
Make an Appointment
If you need surgery for a hernia and would like to explore the benefits of state-of-the-art robotic surgery, you can receive excellent care from Dr. Eghbalieh or Dr. Young.
To schedule an evaluation with Dr. Eghbalieh or Dr. Young at Southern California Multi-Specialty Center, call 818-900-6480.
Babak (Bobby) Eghbalieh, MD, FACS
Stephanie Young, MD/MPH
Make an appointment at SCMSC
We look forward to welcoming you
Schedule an evaluation with Dr. Eghbalieh or Dr. Young at Southern California Multi-Specialty Center.
