Hernia Surgery

Michael H Tarlowe MD -  - Proctologist

Michael Tarlowe, MD

Serving Deerfield Beach, Pompano Beach, Coral Springs, Boca Raton, FL, and the surrounding areas

A hernia can be painful and damaging to your overall health. If you’re suffering from a hernia, schedule a visit with Michael H. Tarlowe, MD, at his office in Deerfield Beach, Florida. Dr. Tarlowe is an experienced proctologist who also performs hernia surgery that can treat your condition and have you feeling better. Book your visit by calling the office of Michael H Tarlowe MD, serving Deerfield Beach, Pompano Beach, Coral Springs, Boca Raton, FL, and the surrounding areas, or by using the online booking tool at your convenience.

Hernia Surgery Q & A

What is a hernia?

A hernia happens when one of your organs breaks through the tissue holding it in place. Hernias typically produce a bulge or lump that you can feel when you’re standing up, bending over, or coughing. Some can be painful, while others can present no symptoms at all. They can appear in your upper thigh and groin areas, but they’re most commonly found in your abdomen between your hips and chest. 

Hernias don’t heal by themselves, so they require surgery to treat. While they’re not immediately life-threatening, they can lead to more severe complications if left untreated.

 

What causes a hernia?

Hernias develop as a result of strain and muscle weakness. Some of the factors that might make your muscles particularly weak or strained include:

  • Being overweight
  • Performing strenuous exercise like weightlifting
  • Aging
  • Constipation
  • Pregnancy
  • Chronic coughing
  • Fluid in your abdomen (ascites)

 

You can also develop a hernia as a result of an injury or damage from surgery.

 

What is hernia surgery?

Hernia surgery is a procedure that Dr. Tarlowe performs to treat your hernia, which he can perform in a few different ways:

Open hernia repair surgery

Dr. Tarlowe makes an incision in the herniated area and locates the hernia “sac,” which contains your bulging organ. He pushes your organ back in place behind your muscle and then reinforces your tissue with synthetic mesh or stitches. The surgery takes a few hours, after which you can typically go home and feel fine within a matter of days. You’ll be able to resume strenuous activity and exercise 4-6 weeks after your surgery.

Laparoscopic hernia repair surgery

In this hernia surgery, which is performed under general anesthesia, Dr. Tarlowe uses a laparoscope to observe your body during a more minimally invasive surgery to repair your abdominal wall.

A laparoscope is a thin telescopic tube with a video camera at the front that Dr. Tarlowe inserts through a tiny incision in your belly button. When the laparoscope is in place, Dr. Tarlowe inflates your abdomen with a harmless gas to give him a better view of your internal structures. From there, he cuts the inner lining of your abdomen to expose the weakness in your abdominal wall and uses mesh to strengthen the tissue and cover any defects.

Laparoscopic hernia repair surgery leaves you with only three small scars (instead of one larger scar, like open hernia repair surgery), and requires less recovery time.

To learn more about hernia repair surgery, call Dr. Tarlowe’s office today or request an appointment online.