Hernia surgery: What to expect from a patient's perspective

James Fitzgerald of Richboro was first introduced to St. Mary Surgical Associates in Langhorne upon referral by his gastroenterologist. Fitzgerald had been experiencing chronic abdominal pain that was diagnosed as a hernia.

When his discomfort became more persistent and acute during even the simplest activities, such as coughing, Fitzgerald knew it was time to see a surgeon specially trained in hernia repair. His search brought him to Jessica Barton, DO, a board-certified general surgeon at St. Mary Medical Center who specializes in the medical and surgical treatment of all types of hernias.

“Dr. Barton and her staff were professional, informative and compassionate throughout the entire process.” – James Fitzgerald.

Hernias occur when muscle pushes through a tear or weakness in the abdominal wall. Most hernias occur on the abdomen or in the groin. Symptoms include a bulge that may or may not be able to be pushed back in or disappear when lying down, pain around the hernia, pain when lifting or straining, an aching or burning sensation, and a change in bowel movements.

There are two types of surgery that can repair a hernia—open and minimally invasive. Open surgery involves an incision made directly over the site of the hernia. Minimally invasive surgery allows for the insertion of small surgical tools through multiple small incisions to perform the procedure. Surgeons like Barton tailor the best technique for repair to each patient’s needs using a multidisciplinary team approach for optimal outcomes.

“Hernias, like patients, are not created equally,” Barton says. “Therefore, it’s so important to treat each patient and their hernia with a unique approach. For James, it was important for him to return to playing golf and perform his daily activities with no pain. Understanding his concerns and goals allowed me to collaborate with him on options for his repair technique, mesh use, and optimal recovery."

Fitzgerald was pleased with how quickly he was able to get an appointment with Barton and even more impressed with her welcoming personality and professional approach. Fitzgerald’s pain was much worse by the time his surgery date arrived, but Barton had already educated him on what to expect. Since surgery, Fitzgerald has been able to return to the activities he once loved, including playing golf, pain-free.

“Dr. Barton and her staff were professional, informative and compassionate throughout the entire process,” Fitzgerald says.

Learn more about the hernia surgery program at St. Mary Medical Center or schedule an appointment with Dr. Barton.