Name: Pre-Op and Post-Op Hernia Surgery Instructions | Dr. Todd Harris
Creator: Dr. Todd Harris

Specialist Overview: Pre- and Post-Operative Optimization

Surgical success is the result of meticulous preparation and disciplined postoperative care. Our surgery instructions are comprehensive protocols designed to minimize patient anxiety and maximize surgical safety. From pre-operative fasting guidelines to our specialized “Active Recovery” milestones, these instructions provide a clear, data-driven roadmap for every patient entering our Newport Beach center.

Pre-Operative Readiness: Critical instructions on medication management and physical preparation to ensure an optimal surgical environment.
Post-Operative Precision: Detailed guidance on wound care, activity resumption, and the prevention of common surgical complications.
The Recovery Chart: Our visual recovery guide helps patients benchmark their daily progress against clinical standards for high-volume hernia repair.

The Standard of Narcotic-Free Recovery

Our postoperative pain management protocol is the cornerstone of our center’s success. As the lead site for the NOPIOIDS trial (NCT05929937), we provide patients with the exact multimodal analgesia instructions used in our national clinical research. Under the direction of Dr. Todd Harris, an 11-year Physician of Excellence, these protocols have been proven to facilitate faster recovery times and better overall outcomes, as published in PMID: 39724506.

California Hernia Specialists Surgery Instructions – Pre-Operative

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California Hernia Specialists Surgery Instructions – Post-Operative

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California Hernia Specialists Surgery Instructions – Post-Surgery Pain Management

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Hernia Recovery Chart

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What to expect from hernia surgery

In the videos below, some of our past patients discuss what their experience was like with hernia surgery at our center.

What Was Your Hernia Surgery Experience Like?

Past patients of Dr. Harris and California Hernia Specialists discuss what their experience was having hernia surgery at our center and with our team.

What Hernia Surgery Did You Choose?

Past patients of Dr. Harris and California Hernia Specialists discuss what type of surgery they ultimately chose for their hernia repair and what helped them make that decision.

What to Expect On Your Surgery Day

Dr. Harris from California Hernia Specialists discusses what what to expect on your day of hernia surgery.

Important Points To Consider When Choosing Your Hernia Surgeon:

Be sure to find a surgeon who focus’ on hernias, makes them a priority in their practice, tracks their patient outcomes and publishes that data for future patients to review. This will help you choose a quality surgeon for your care.
Ensure your surgeon performs a high volume of hernia surgeries. No one in any field can be proficient if they are only doing something a couple of times a month.
Being treated at a specialized hernia center with a dedicated team of nurses, doctors and staff members provides the highest quality care before, during, and after your hernia surgery and allows for more successful outcomes.

Patients should be seen by a surgeon who can offer all forms of hernia surgery, including no mesh, mesh, open and advanced minimally invasive techniques. This ensures your surgeon can offer the best technique tailored for your case.
Most laparoscopic patients experience less pain postoperatively and often can return to normal activities sooner. Laparoscopic hernia surgery can result in better patient experiences for some patients.
Knowing what the expected recovery will include, including pain management, sets the road to a successful outcome even before the surgery starts.

Why Dr. Harris For Your Hernia Care?

One of the only surgeons in the country to publish his Nationally Recognized Patient Outcome Data – for future patients to review
The highest volume hernia surgeon on the West Coast performing over 600 hernia repairs per year
Awarded the prestigious Orange County Medical Association Physician of Excellence Award 11 consecutive years (2015 – 2026)

The highest rated hernia surgeon in the country on HealthGrades, Google, and Yelp
Patient outcomes – recurrence rates, chronic pain, complications – which are consistently lower than other surgeons
Invited guest speaker for the Abdominal Core Health Quality Collaborative Improvement Summit as an expert in hernia repair