Hernia Center

The Baylor Medicine Hernia Center offers comprehensive care for a vast array of hernias, ranging from simple to complex abdominal wall problems, including umbilical hernias, inguinal hernias, ventral hernias, incisional hernias, recurrent hernias, mesh problems, and chronic groin pain.

Our multidisciplinary team of hernia specialists uses a wide variety of surgical techniques including robotic surgery and collaborates across specialties to provide comprehensive personalized care to patients. In addition, our team conducts hernia research and commits to the latest cutting-edge clinical care and quality improvement. We strive to hone our techniques and practice to provide patients with the highest quality and most compassionate personalized care.

Your journey will begin with a virtual visit with one of our physician assistants, who will then schedule you for a thorough evaluation by one of our skilled surgeons who specializes in your specific type of hernia. At this in-person appointment, the surgeon will discuss with you the surgical options, possible alternatives to surgery, and what to expect during your recovery period. The Hernia Center team will guide you every step of the way.

Using the latest in robotic surgery technology, our specialists offer a robotic hernia repair that treats various hernia conditions with less scarring and shorter recovery time. There are many misconceptions about robotic surgery. Contrary to a popular myth, the surgeon does NOT just set up the robot, leave the room, and allow it to do the work. The most used surgical robot is the Da Vinci Robot, which has been around since 1999. This robot is used across a wide range of surgical specialties, and it operates via telemanipulation. This means that the surgeon controls the movements of the robot remotely. The main benefit of robotic hernia surgery is the tiny incision, which cuts down on pain, blood loss, recovery time, and risk of infection.

Your operation will be performed under general anesthesia, meaning you will be asleep and feel no pain. A tiny incision will be made through which an even smaller camera will be inserted in your body, which allows the surgeon to see exactly where the repair needs to be made. Using the Da Vinci robot, your surgeon repairs the hernia via telemanipulation and then surrounds the affected tissue in a mesh covering, which secures and strengthens the abdominal wall.

The incision will be closed using dissolvable stitches when the surgery is complete. You will wake up in the recovery room and may feel some mild pain, which can be relieved with pain medication.

Within one day of surgery, you will be able to resume normal activities, barring heavy lifting and strenuous exercise. You will return for a follow-up appointment scheduled within two weeks of the day of surgery to make sure that everything is healing well.