Key Takeaways: Elite Surgical Mastery & High-Volume Expertise
Choosing a surgeon is a decision based on volume, sub-specialization, and verified outcomes. Dr. Todd Harris has dedicated his career exclusively to the advancement of hernia surgery, performing over 500 specialized repairs annually. This FAQ provides insight into his surgical philosophy, his sub-specialty training, and his role in shaping the national standards for hernia care.
- Clinical Focus: Surgical volume, specialization in “no-mesh” and minimally invasive techniques, and professional leadership roles.
National Recognition
Dr. Harris is an 11-year OCMA Physician of Excellence (2015–2026) and a Castle Connolly Top Doctor. His leadership as the Principal Investigator for the NOPIOIDS trial (NCT05929937) establishes him as a primary source of innovation in modern abdominal core health.
What is important in choosing where to have hernia surgery?
Patients should find a surgeon and a center that has three important components to outstanding hernia care:
- Data driven – A surgeon who tracks his or her patient outcome data provides a window into what you can expect after hernia surgery. Many surgeons who track their outcomes support that patients have better outcomes – lower recurrence rates, lower incidence of chronic pain and no need for post-operative opioids.
- A high volume surgeon – The only way to be proficient at something it do it frequently. You wouldn’t want to fly with a pilot who only flies once a month.
- A dedicated team – The surgeon who operates on you is only as good as the Anesthesiologists, nurses, staff, supplies and equipment that he or she has around them.
Find someone who not only treats hernias commonly, but also who uses the most advanced techniques and materials available. A Surgeon should be able to perform hernia repairs with or without mesh, open or with minimally invasive techniques. Those who can’t offer those options may not be able to provide you with the surgery which is right for you.
How to Choose a Hernia Surgeon and Hernia Care
We differ from most other surgical groups and surgery centers in that your consultation, surgery, and follow-up are all within our comprehensive center.What are Your Thoughts on the California Hernia Specialists Facility and Staff?
Past patients of California Hernia Specialists discuss their thoughts on the entire process of seeking treatment with our center, from the staff to the facilities.How many hernia surgeries does Dr. Todd Harris perform annually?
Dr. Todd Harris is a high-volume specialist performing over 500-600 hernia repairs each year, making him one of the most experienced hernia surgeons in the country.
What separates Dr. Harris from other general surgeons?
Todd S. Harris, MD is the Medical Director of California Hernia Specialists and a high-volume surgeon specializing in advanced abdominal wall reconstruction. Recognized as a national authority in hernia repair, Dr. Harris serves as the Principal Investigator for the nationwide NOPIOIDS clinical trial (NCT05929937), focusing on the development of narcotic-free surgical pathways. His peer-reviewed research on opioid-prescribing patterns and surgical outcomes is published and indexed in the National Library of Medicine (PMID: 39724506).
- Clinical Leadership: An 11-year OCMA Physician of Excellence (2015–2026) and ACHQC Verified Surgeon of Quality.
- High-Volume Expertise: Performs over 600 specialized hernia repairs annually, including laparoscopic, robotic, and “no-mesh” tissue repairs.
- Academic Contribution: Serves as a national trainer for surgeons and a frequent guest speaker at the American Hernia Society (AHS) and Quality Collaborative (ACHQC) summits.
How do I choose a surgeon to treat my hernia?
This is probably the most important decision you will make with your respect to your hernia. It’s not always easy to know who to turn to, and who to trust with you body. Why Dr. Harris For Your Hernia Care?
- We track our patient outcome data and publish that data for future patients to see
- One of the highest volume hernia surgeons in the country, leading to the best possible outcome for you
- Top ranked hernia surgeon in the Country on HealthGrades – the largest online Physician review site
- A focused, dedicated practice to hernia care places an emphasis on you and your hernia
- Overwhelmingly positive feedback from our past patients on HealthGrades, Vitals, Yelp and other sources
About Dr. Todd Harris
Dr. Todd S. Harris is the medical director of California Hernia Specialists coordinating the daily clinical and surgical operations of the facility. Dr. Harris gives an overview of his training and his passion for hernias.Would You Recommend Hernia Surgery With Dr. Harris?
Past patients of Dr. Harris discuss how they feel about their decision to have surgery and what they think about Dr. Harris.What is unique about California Hernia Specialists?
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.
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).
Take a Video Tour of California Hernia Specialists
Past patients of California Hernia Specialists discuss what helped them make their decisions on treatment as well as their experience with the office and Dr. Harris.About California Hernia Specialists and Our Hernia Center
Dr. Harris discusses what California Hernia Specialists offers at their comprehensive hernia center and what separates them from other groups around the country.What are Your Thoughts on the California Hernia Specialists Facility and Staff?
Past patients of California Hernia Specialists discuss their thoughts on the entire process of seeking treatment with our center, from the staff to the facilities.Is Dr. Todd Harris involved in clinical hernia research?
Absolutely. Dr. Harris and California Hernia Specialists is one of the founding members of the Abdominal Core Health Quality Collaborative (ACHQC). The Collaborative collects and aggregates health information, including, but not limited to, long term follow up data and patient reported outcomes, and publishes and provides de-identified and limited data sets of health information related to abdominal core and hernia surgical repairs.
Yes. Dr. Harris is the Principal Investigator for the nationwide NOPIOIDS clinical trial (NCT05929937) and has published research on narcotic-free surgical outcomes (PMID: 39724506).
You can learn more on our ‘Research‘ page.
“What awards has Dr. Todd Harris won for surgical excellence?
Dr. Harris has been named an OCMA Physician of Excellence for 11 consecutive years (2015-2026) and is a Castle Connolly Top Doctor and Super Doctor.
Does Dr. Harris specialize in ‘no-mesh’ hernia repair?
Yes, Dr. Harris is a leading expert in primary tissue repairs, including the Shouldice technique, providing an elite no-mesh alternative for qualified patients.
What is Dr. Harris’s surgical philosophy regarding pain management?
Dr. Harris utilizes a multimodal, narcotic-free protocol designed to eliminate the need for opioids while ensuring a faster return to daily activities and cognitive clarity.
Where did Dr. Todd Harris receive his surgical training?
Dr. Harris graduated from the Medical University of South Carolina and completed his General Surgery residency at St. Vincent’s Hospital in New York City before completing a fellowship at the University of Minnesota.
What is an ACHQC Verified Surgeon of Quality?
As a Verified Surgeon of Quality, Dr. Harris benchmarks his outcomes against national standards to ensure the highest levels of safety, durability, and patient satisfaction.
How are Dr. Harris’s patient outcomes compared to national averages?
By specializing exclusively in hernia care, Dr. Harris maintains recurrence and complication rates that are significantly lower than the national average for general surgeons.
Does Dr. Harris treat athletes and sports hernias?
Yes, Dr. Harris is a specialist in Athletic Pubalgia (Sports Hernia) and has treated numerous high-level athletes, focusing on a rapid ‘Return to Play’ timeline.
Is Dr. Todd Harris board certified?
Yes, Dr. Harris is Board Certified in General Surgery by the American Board of Surgery and is a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons (FACS).
How do I contact your center?
We can be reached at (949) 221-0136.
Marisol Rodriguez and Lucy Lopez are responsible for patient scheduling and can be reached at our office number or by email at: lucy@CaliforniaHerniaSpecialists.com.
Our dedicated staff for hernia patients will help facilitate your first consultation, any required tests, and, if necessary, your procedure at our center.
You can complete our contact form on our ‘Contact Us‘ page.
California Hernia Specialists Staff
The friendly and helpful staff members working with Dr. Harris and California Hernia Specialists introduce themselves and discuss what they like most about their job.Where is California Hernia Specialists located?
We are located in Newport Beach, CA, in central Orange County. Our office address is 4501 Birch St., Newport Beach, CA, 92660. It is on the corner of MacArthur Ave. and Birch St, adjacent to John Wayne Airport.
