“World-Class” Care: In Our Patients’ Own Words

You can find medical attention anywhere, but finding true medical care is different. In this video, patients share why they chose Dr. Todd Harris and California Hernia Specialists. From addressing complex fears about hernia mesh to the efficiency of our scheduling and the warmth of our nursing staff, these stories highlight the full patient experience. As one patient puts it: ‘I felt like I was in a top-notch facility… everything facing this surgery was going to be the best that was possibly out there.

Comparing California Hernia Specialists

“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

Comparing California Hernia Specialists – Comparison Chart

Hospital Practice	General Surgeon Group	Our Hernia Center
The surgeon you see is often involved with numerous types of surgery – ER, cancer, trauma, colo-rectal, etc – and not just hernias. At larger University hospitals this also included teaching junior surgeons.	The surgeon you see is often involved with numerous types of surgery similar to hospital based groups. He/she may perform hernia repairs in addition to taking care of patients from the Emergency Room.	Dr. Harris’ entire surgical practice is focused on hernia care, with no distractions like ER call, trauma, colo-rectal surgery, or other non-hernia surgical procedures.
The hospital surgeon likely performs 10-50 hernias a year. This many include complex cases not similar to your hernia.	The general surgeon may perform 50 hernias a year.	Dr. Harris personally performs 500 hernia repairs per year on patients just like yourself.
The lack of focus on patients like you and the complexities of operating in a large hospital may be reflected in your outcome.	The lack of focus on just hernia surgery prevents typical general surgeons from having extremely high outcomes.	Our focus and volume of hernia repairs has allowed us to be one of the highest quality centers in the entire country by various data based outcome measures.
The team at the hospital office will change based on shifts, and year over year.	Office staff vary based on the surgeon who will be seeing you.	Our dedicated hernia team takes care of all of our patients from start to finish, including 500 hernia repairs a year.
Your consultation will be in one area of a large hospital, often in a medical office tower.	Your consultation is usually in a medical office building.	Your consultation is at our dedicated, free-standing, private office and hernia center.
Calling and speaking with a staff member will be complicated, requiring going through the main hospital number. There is no direct number and trying to find the staff member working that day is complicated.	Calling the office will require trying to speak with the specific staff member for your particular surgeon. There is no direct number.	Our dedicated hernia team takes care of all of our patients from answering your initial scheduling phone call to speaking with you after your surgery. We have a direct number!
The hospital operating room staff are commonly performing large complex procedures and not hernia repairs for patients like yourself.	The surgery center where your surgeon will operate is used to performing all types of surgeries like gallbladders, appendixes, colo-rectal, etc.	Due to our very high volume of 500 cases per year, each staff member at our surgical centers are used to taking care of hernia patients like you.
A hospital surgeon may be involved with research in a number of different areas, likely not having to do with hernia care.	A general surgeon in the community setting is very unlikely to be involved in hernia research.	Due to our focus on hernia care, we are actively involved in hernia research for patients just like yourself.
Patient outcomes are tracked through any general channels already established by the hospital itself.	A general surgeon in the community setting is very unlikely to track his/her hernia patient outcomes.	Each and every patient we operate on is tracked through our ongoing outcome metrics to allow us to validate the quality of our hernia care.
Surgery start time can often be delayed for more emergent surgeries from the emergency room.	Surgery start times are inconsistent from center to center and surgeon to surgeon.	Dr. Harris and our center is dedicated to you and your family’s schedule. Surgeries always start on time.
The pre-op area is usually filled with 15-20 beds all waiting for major surgery.	The pre-op area varies.	The pre-op area has just 4-6 beds, is filled with natural light, and provides a calm, relaxing atmosphere.
The waiting room for families during your surgery is full and is usually in an older room.	Waiting rooms vary from location to location.	Beautiful waiting area with windows and plenty of natural light.
Waiting families can visit the cafeteria for cafeteria food when it is open.	Food options for families are limited.	Our center is just steps from Starbucks, Brueggers Bagels, and other food options.
After surgery, your recovery is in a large, noisy operating room with much sicker patients around you.	Recovery rooms can often be cramped and noisy.	Recovery is in our private post operative area filled with natural light and focused on you and other hernia patients.
Patients usually recover by themselves without family since the recovery room is so busy.	Most surgery centers allow families on a limited basis.	We ensure your family is able to be with you during most of the recovery process.
Costs for uninsured hernia patients can be $15,000 or more.	Costs for uninsured patients vary from center to center and is difficult to compare.	For uninsured patients, California Hernia Specialists ensures outstanding care and the most affordable cash price.
No ability to arrange for out of town patients	Usually centers have little experience with patients traveling from outside of Orange County	We commonly work with patients from outside of our area and can arrange all aspects of your visit. Read more HERE.

What Do Our Past Patients Say?

Watch these videos to hear what our past patients say about comparing California Hernia Specialists to other centers and offices they have visited in the past.

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.

Patient Reviews: World-Class Facility & Caring Staff | California Hernia Specialists

Patients review the facility and staff at California Hernia Specialists, describing the care as world-class and praising the team from reception to recovery.

“Without Limitation, Without Equivocation”

The highest compliment a surgeon can receive is the referral of a friend or family member. In this video, patients explain why they recommend Dr. Todd Harris ‘in a heartbeat.’ One patient shares a compelling comparison between a previous surgery where he felt ‘indifference’ and his experience at California Hernia Specialists, where he received genuine care. From the office culture to Dr. Harris’s skill set, these stories highlight the trust and confidence that define our patient relationships.

Patient Recommendations: Trust, Care, and Surgical Excellence | Dr. Todd Harris

Patients recommend Dr. Todd Harris without reservation, praising the office culture, his surgical skill, and the genuine care provided compared to past experiences.