Why Choose California Hernia Specialists? Expert Hernia Care and Patient Success
Dr. Todd Harris explains the benefits of a specialized hernia center, focusing on high surgical volume, dedicated staff, and world-class outcomes compared to general hospitals.
Experience Matters: The Specialist Difference
When it comes to hernia repair, surgical volume is the strongest predictor of success. In this video, Dr. Todd Harris explains why choosing a dedicated specialist center offers a distinct advantage over a general hospital setting. From a team of nurses who only treat hernia patients to anesthesiologists familiar with our specific recovery protocols, every aspect of our practice is optimized for one thing: getting you back to your life faster, with less pain and lower risk.
Practice Philosophy & Leadership
California Hernia Specialists is a high-volume surgical center in Newport Beach dedicated exclusively to the diagnosis and advanced repair of abdominal wall defects. Our clinical focus is centered on the intersection of anatomic precision and modern recovery science, providing specialized care for inguinal, umbilical, ventral, and sports-related hernias.
- Surgical Volume: We perform over 600 hernia repairs annually, specializing in both laparoscopic minimally invasive techniques and primary “no-mesh” tissue repairs.
- Quality Benchmarking: As an active participant in the Abdominal Core Health Quality Collaborative (ACHQC), our patient outcomes are tracked and verified against national standards for safety and surgical excellence.
- Innovation in Recovery: Our center serves as a national hub for opioid-free surgical protocols, ensuring patients return to full activity without the need for narcotic intervention.
Verified Excellence
Under the leadership of Dr. Todd Harris, an 11-year OCMA Physician of Excellence (2015–2025), our practice bridges the gap between private practice and academic research. Dr. Harris serves as the Principal Investigator for the NOPIOIDS clinical trial (NCT05929937) and is a published author on evidence-based surgical pain management (PMID: 39724506).
We Specialize in Hernia Repair – And it Shows in Our Outcomes
“Large hospitals and busy general surgeons are important parts of the health care delivery system in the United States. However, for patients like you who have a focused medical condition like a hernia, being thrown into the complexities of hospitals which are more focused on patients with cancer, heart disease, trauma, and other complicated issues isn’t the best choice. Similarly, choosing a surgeon who is performing robotic colon cancer surgery in the morning, a gallbladder surgery in the afternoon, and a hernia at the end of his or her busy day isn’t the best way to ensure you have the best outcome.
“California Hernia Specialists is different. My passion and my focus is on taking care of patients with hernias just like you. This dedication to a specific condition allows me to provide you with the best possible office experience and the best possible outcome after surgery. Hernia surgeries aren’t an after-thought, done at the end of a busy day taking care of other types of patients. Hernias and hernia patients are my priority! You can see by our overwhelming feedback and our data driven outcome measures that my focused practice translates into successful medical care for patients like yourself.”
-Dr. Harris, Medical Director
California Hernia Specialists
Comprehensive Care Under One Roof
What separates California Hernia Specialists from a general hospital setting? As Dr. Todd Harris explains in this video, it is our focus. We are one of the few centers in the region to offer a fully dedicated hernia clinic and an accredited Ambulatory Surgery Center within the same 11,000-square-foot facility. This ‘all-in-one’ approach allows us to control every aspect of your care—from the front desk to the recovery room—ensuring a seamless experience. Combined with our leadership in the Abdominal Core Health Quality Collaborative, we provide a level of specialized attention that general surgery departments simply cannot match.
Important Points About California Hernia Specialists:
- Our hernia center treats over 500 hernias per year allowing every member of our staff to be well versed and focused on each aspect of your hernia care. This allows us to provide the highest quality of care to our patients.
- Dr. Harris performs about 2/3 of hernia repairs laparoscopically, and 1/3 utilizing the traditional open methods. This well balanced approach allows for the ideal technique for each patient.
- Our center commonly works with college, professional and elite athletes (soccer, hockey, surfers, motocross, weight lifters, stunt men, professional scuba divers, etc.) getting them back to full activity as quickly and safely as any center in the country.
- Because of his experience, Dr. Harris serves as a trainer for surgeons across the country who are interested in furthering their education in laparoscopic hernia repairs.
- Who trusts California Hernia Specialists? Countless doctors and dentists (from OC, LA, Palm Springs and Canada), lawyers, judges, weekend warriors, police officers (LAPD and OCPD) & firemen, as well as patients from a wide range of other unique professions.
- We strive to be as cost effective as possible and will work with all insurance plans, as well as with uninsured patients. For uninsured patients, please refer to our FAQ page for hernia surgery costs.
- 99% of patients do not need prescription opioid medications after their surgery while still achieving adequate pain control.
- Dr. Harris sees patients from all of California as well as from across the United States and Canada. For patients outside of our immediate area, travel arrangements to our center can be easily made. Visit our ‘Travel‘ page.
- Every patients outcome is tracked allowing us to validate our national leading patient outcomes. Seeing surgeons who don’t track or don’t post their outcomes leaves patients unable to know if they are getting the best hernia care.
Real Stories: Overcoming Surgery Fears
Choosing a surgeon is about more than just finding someone to perform a procedure; it’s about finding true medical care. in this video, three patients share why they chose Dr. Todd Harris. From a patient who had a traumatic anesthesia experience at another facility to another who was worried about ‘mesh controversy,’ these stories highlight how Dr. Harris listens, educates, and alleviates fears. As one patient notes, ‘There are two dozen doctors between here and Palm Desert… but what I got from Dr. Harris was medical care.’
More Than Just a Surgery Center: A World-Class Experience
Surgery can be intimidating, but the environment shouldn’t be. In this video, patients describe the atmosphere at California Hernia Specialists as ‘world-class’ and ‘top-notch.’ Whether your procedure is performed in our accredited on-site Ambulatory Surgery Center or at Hoag Hospital, our goal is the same: to make you feel safe, cared for, and confident. As these patients attest, that level of care extends beyond the operating room—starting with the first phone call and continuing through the dedicated attention of our nursing staff and post-op team.
Finding the Right Specialist: Why Research Matters
How do patients actually find their way to a hernia specialist? For some, it starts with a trusted recommendation from their primary care doctor. For others, it begins with independent research—reading reviews, watching videos, and seeking a second opinion. In this video, patients share their journeys to finding Dr. Todd Harris. Whether they were referred by a physician who knew Dr. Harris’s reputation or found him through their own diligence, the result was the same: confidence that they had found the right surgeon for their repair.
Patient to Patient: Don’t Wait Until It’s an Emergency
One of the most valuable perspectives comes from those who have already walked the path. In this video, a patient shares his candid advice for anyone currently diagnosed with a hernia. His message is simple but critical: Do your research and don’t wait. He discusses how he used California Hernia Specialists’ educational videos to understand his condition and why delaying treatment often leads to unnecessary complications. If you are ‘on the fence’ about scheduling a consultation, this story serves as a powerful reminder that hernias do not fix themselves.
Dr. Harris, Thank you for saving Justin’s life. You saw how much he suffered. When no pediatric surg/gi would touch him, you saved him!
