If you have been diagnosed with a hernia, you are likely facing a visit to a Urology Center. Knowing what to expect from the visit can help prepare you and make your experience more comfortable.
Whether this is your first visit to the Urology Center or if you’re an experienced patient, it’s important to understand the process of hernia repair. And while it can be intimidating, Urologists are knowledgeable professionals who are well-equipped to help you through the experience. From making sure that your paperwork is complete to explaining the treatment options that are available to you.
Overview of Hernia Repair
Hernias can cause significant pain and discomfort, but luckily, your urology center provides a laparoscopic hernia repair procedure to alleviate the issue. During this procedure, general anesthesia is administered to put you in a deep sleep as your doctor performs surgery. This type of hernia repair generally involves rearranging the muscles in the abdominal wall and using a small piece of mesh to seal up the weakened spot.
Whether it’s an inguinal or incisional hernia, this procedure offers several benefits: the time spent in surgery is usually shorter than with other types of hernia repair, and the recovery period is usually faster too.
Types of Hernias and Their Treatments
Whether you have a hernia or not, it’s important to understand the different types and their treatments. A hernia is a protrusion or bulge of an organ through the wall of tissue that usually contains it. Hernias can be repaired through surgery, and there are multiple ways to do this.
The most common type of surgery for hernias is a repair using mesh—a synthetic material that helps provide added strength to the weakened area of your abdominal wall. In addition, your urology center might also use a technique called laparoscopic hernia repair. This procedure involves making small incisions near the area being repaired and using minimal invasion to fix the defect.
What to Expect During a Hernia Repair Procedure at a urology center
If you’re getting a hernia repair done at a urology center, there are a few things you can expect. Generally, they’ll perform the surgery under some type of anesthesia—this could be local, spinal, or general.
Once the procedure is done, your healthcare provider may ask you to stay in the clinic to recover for a few hours before you can go home. Most people don’t need an overnight stay, but if it’s complicated or there are other health issues to consider, then an overnight stay might be required.
Potential Risks Associated with Hernia Repair
When considering hernia repair at a urology center, it’s important to be aware of the potential risks associated with it. Wound seroma/hematoma, urinary retention, and superficial incisional surgical site infection can occur in the perioperative period. Additionally, the risk of complications increases with advancing age. Although these are potential risks associated with hernia repair, most hernia repairs have very few complications. Visiting a urology center for your hernia repair can help reduce your chances of experiencing any of these risks.
