Grand River Surgery, PLLC

General Surgery

• Breast
• Colon
• Endoscopy
• Gall Bladder
• Hemorrhoids
• Hernias
• Laparoscopy
• Lipomas
• Skin Cysts
• Stomach for Reflux (Nissen, Hiatal Hernia)

Pain Management

• Pain Pump & Nerve Pain

Bariatric Services

• Lap Band

Vascular Services

• Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm
• Endovenous Ablation
• Peripheral Bypass Surgery
• Sclerotherapy
• Venous Closure Procedure

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Services

Hernia Surgery

We use a variety of techniques to repair hernias, including advanced laparoscopic surgeries for inguinal hernias, ventral and incisional hernias.  Laparoscopic techniques may allow for an earlier return to work/activities and are generally associated with a decreased level of post-operative pain.

There are a variety of hernias and a variety of ways to repair them.  The common theme between all of them is that there is a weakness in the belly wall that has allowed fat or bowel to pass through the hole.  (Think of a tire inner tube bulging through the side wall of tire.)  This is a potentially severe problem -- if the bowel looses it's blood supply, it dies and that is a significantly complicated issue.  That's why it's preferred to fix hernias before they turn into a real problem

Another thing hernias share is the possibility of a recurrence, or that the hernia may come back after a repair.  Recurrences happen, but fortunately they are very rare for most patients.  To decrease your risk of a recurrence, you should have stopped smoking by at least a couple of weeks prior to surgery.  Some hernia repairs will not be performed if you are smoking at the time of surgery -- the risk of infection and poor wound healing is too high.  Smoking represents a major risk factor for complications from surgery and if you smoke, you should choose to decrease your operative risks.  One more risk for recurrence is weight, if you are considered obese (BMI >30, use the calculator), you are at a higher risk.  If you gain weight after your hernia repair, you also jeopardize the repair.  Please review these wellness options to help you achieve and maintain a more healthy body weight.

Different types of hernias that we repair:

• Inguinal or groin hernias
• Femoral hernias
• Umbilical or "belly button" hernias
• Ventral (midline) hernias
• Incisional hernias (hernias that occur at sites of prior abdominal wall incisions)
• Hiatal hernias

Inguinal Hernias

Inguinal hernias are a common type of hernias that occur in the groin area. These may contain bowel or just fat. Repair is indicated for most people. These can repaired laparoscopically, or via a traditional open repair. A laparoscopic repair is generally found to cause less post-op pain, although, the return to work is not generally any earlier than with an open repair. Laparoscopically, both sides can be seen at the same time allowing for repair of hernias on both sides through the same small holes..

Femoral Hernias

Femoral hernias are a rare type of hernia that occurs when there is a weakness near the large blood vessels that travel to the legs.  Bowel and fat can sometimes go into this area and get trapped.  This type of hernia has special repair options and is typically approached like an inguinal hernia and has similar risks and recovery.

Ventral or Incisional Hernias

These hernias occur in the abdominal wall or at sites of prior surgeries.  Generally these are fixed with laparoscopic (small holes) technique and with the placement of mesh, usually done as an outpatient surgery.