Hernia Surgery

If you have signs of a hernia or receive a referral for hernia repair, turn to North Carolina Surgery (formerly REX Surgical Specialists). You’ll appreciate consistent and complete care from our specialists in Raleigh, Cary, Garner, Knightdale, Smithfield, Clayton, and Holly Springs.

What is a Hernia?

A hernia happens when fat or an organ, such as the intestine or esophagus, pushes through an opening of the muscle wall around it. Hernias are most common in the abdomen, but can also occur in your groin, upper thigh, and belly. They often cause pain, swelling and a bulge. Hernias don’t go away on their own and need rehabilitation or surgery to heal

Diagnosis

If you notice swelling or a bulge that isn’t normal in your groin, belly, or stomach area, your primary care physician can check if you have a hernia. Or you can schedule an appointment at North Carolina Surgery for a diagnosis. During your consultation, you’ll undergo a physical exam and sometimes an imaging test.

Treatment

Your doctor may want to monitor your hernia, which means you’ll come back for appointments later to check on it. Or your physician may recommend surgery. During hernia surgery, your surgeon will push the bulge back into your body and repair or reinforce the weakness in your abdominal wall or groin. Depending on your situation, you’ll receive either:

Traditional open surgery
Minimally invasive (laparoscopic) surgery that uses small incisions and speeds your recovery

Is My Hernia an Emergency?

You may need surgery right away if the herniated area of the intestine or esophagus becomes trapped, cutting off its own blood supply. Seek emergency treatment if you have any of the following symptoms:

Hernia bulge growing quickly
Severe pain, swelling or redness at the hernia site
Constipation and/or bloating
Fever
Nausea and/or vomiting

Types of Hernias Treated

Turn to North Carolina Surgery hernia specialists to treat common hernias such as:

Inguinal & femoral hernia – Occur in the groin
Umbilical hernia – Arises at your navel (belly button) because of weight gain, pregnancy or hard physical activity
Ventral, Spigelian, and incisional hernias – Appear in your abdomen
Hiatal hernia – Occurs when portions of your stomach move into your chest, especially if you have esophageal reflux
Flank hernia – Happens most often after kidney, hip, or spine surgeries

Complex Hernia Treatment

You may need more advanced hernia repair if:

Your hernia is very large.
Your hernia came back after a previous repair.
You have diabetes, obesity, an infection, or certain other medical conditions.

Your surgeons will make a plan to reduce risks and help you get the best results.

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