Can I have hernia surgery without mesh?

Absolutely. There are a variety of techniques which surgeons can use to provide a durable and lasting repair inguinal, umbilical and ventral hernias. While mesh is favored in many patients, there are select patients and select cases where performing a no mesh natural tissue repair is an ideal option. Deciding on whether mesh should be used or needs to be used is best made with your surgeon at the time of your consultation. Our office provides patients with options for no mesh natural tissue hernia repairs.

What are the different types of hernia surgery?

The basic types of hernia repairs are mesh versus no mesh and open hernia surgery versus laparoscopic hernia surgery. In open hernia surgery, the skin and muscles are opened by the surgeon. The hole and weakness in the muscles is identified and repaired. The muscles and skin are then closed over the hernia repair. In laparoscopic hernia surgery, a small camera is used to look at the weakened muscles and the hernia from inside of the abdomen. The hernia is repaired from the inside without opening the skin or the muscles. View a comparison chart of open and laparoscopic surgery HERE or watch the short video below.

Which hernia surgery is best for me?

Both mesh and no mesh repairs along with open hernia surgery and laparoscopic hernia surgery are excellent treatments for abdominal wall hernias. Whether patients should choose one method over another is a matter of discussion each patient should have with their surgeon.  There are risks and benefits to the various types of hernia repairs. Patients should be seen by a surgeon who can offer all options to patients based on their specific presentation and unique characteristics.

How much does hernia surgery cost?

Hernia surgery is done in an operating room at either a hospital or a surgery center. Our office focuses on ‘bundled pricing’ for all of our patients. Instead of worrying about how much the hospital or the Anesthesiologist will charge you, our prices include all aspect of your surgical care, from the time you walk in the door for your surgery to the minute you leave. This includes all costs on the day of your surgery including medications, nursing, anesthesia care, surgeon fees, mesh or other materials required, any credit card and service fees, as well as all other facility related charges. A full list of our bundled prices are listed on our Insurance and Costs page.

Where would my hernia surgery be performed?

Our hernia surgeries are performed within Medicare and AAAHC accredited ambulatory surgery centers (ASC) in our area. California Hernia Specialists is one of the highest volume centers in the country allowing every member of our staff from Anesthesia, nurses, surgical techs and others to be intimately familiar with our process and our patients needs. This minimizes variations in patient care and ultimately leads to better outcomes for our patients when compared with surgeons and centers who do only a few hernia repairs a week or month. Read more HERE

Can I just watch my hernia without surgery?

Many patients have been living with their hernia for many years without any problems. Although there is a chance that any hernia could become an emergency (incarceration or strangulation), the chances of this happening remains small: less than 1% per year. Since hernias do not go away on their own, and they usually get larger, doctors recommend that they are repaired before they become large and painful which can make recovery more difficult.

I’ve heard about chronic pain after hernia surgery. What causes chronic pain and what is the chance this will happen to me?

Over the years hernia surgery technique as well as the materials used during hernia surgery have evolved. Older heavy plastic mesh caused a significant reaction with the body and caused chronic pain months and years after the surgery.

However today, the meshes used by top hernia surgeons are lightweight and thin causing minimal inflammatory reaction inside the body. This reduction of scarring and inflammation in the healing process has reduced the incidence of post hernia pain (post herniorrhaphy pain) to almost zero. Unfortunately some surgeons are still using those heavy thick meshes created 10 years ago.

While mesh is often the best choice for many patients, some select cases allow for a no mesh natural tissue hernia repair. Discussing this option with your surgeon at the time of your consultation ensures you have all options available to you.

We discuss with patients that it is not uncommon to feel occasional pulling, tugging, burning, and other unusual sensations in the groin for up to year. These occasional feelings are considered normal to any surgery, including hernia surgery.

What are the risks of hernia surgery?

Although hernia surgery is one of the most common and safest surgeries performed in the United States, there are always some small risks. There is a less than 1% chance of infection in the hernia site as well as recurrence of the hernia in the future. Chronic pain after hernia surgery used to be a more common complication. However, with current techniques by hernia specialists, chronic pain occurs in less than 1% of patients as well.

I’ve heard that mesh can cause problems and that I should refuse to have mesh during surgery. Is that true?

Using the correct types of new, lightweight mesh reduce the chances of post hernia pain to almost zero. Plus the use of mesh significantly reduces the recurrence rate for hernias, meaning the chance the hernia will come back after surgery. Click below to read an article provided by the non-biased government department, The National Institutes of Health.

However, for select patients with specific types of hernias, a no mesh natural tissue repair can be a good option and avoid the use of mesh altogether. Ensuring your surgeon can provide all types of hernia repairs including a no mesh repair is an important part of ensuring you have the best outcome.

In the short video below, Dr. Harris discusses some of the information about mesh and why it is the preferred method for hernia repair.