Hernia Specialist

David L. Chengelis, MD -  - Advanced Laparoscopic Surgeon

Advanced Laparoscopic Surgery, PC

David L. Chengelis, MD

Advanced Laparoscopic Surgeon located in Troy, MI

Hernias are uncomfortable, causing a constant dull ache — and more severe pain when you lift a heavy object. If your hernia is disrupting your life, make an appointment with Dr. David Chengelis at Advanced Laparoscopic Surgery P.C. in Royal Oak, Michigan in the Greater Detroit area to learn about minimally invasive surgical hernia repair options. You can call the practice or schedule a consultation online. All surgeries are performed at Beaumont Health, Royal Oak Hospital.

Hernia Q & A

What is a hernia?

A hernia develops when a weak area in your muscles allows part of an organ or other tissue to push through and create a bulge. Hernias are most often found in your abdomen and affect men, women, and children.

Dr. Chengelis provides minimally invasive laparoscopic surgeries to treat a variety of hernias.

Femoral hernia

Your femoral canal creates space for the main blood vessels of your legs to pass between your abdomen and your legs. When this opening is too large, you may develop a bulge below your groin. The bulge could include a portion of your intestine, which can block blood flow to the intestine, among other complications.

Inguinal hernia

Your inguinal area is where your lower abdominal muscles meet your pelvic bone and rectus muscle. Inguinal hernias are the most common form of hernias.  Men are 20 times more likely than women to have an inguinal hernia. They often occur due to straining and age, although you may have been born with a congenital inguinal weakness.

Umbilical hernia

Your bellybutton is a weak spot in your abdominal wall, and as you get older the weak spot may open and allow a protrusion to develop. This can be dangerous as your intestine can push through, possibly cutting off blood flow to the intestine, among other issues.

Ventral hernia

Ventral hernias, also known as abdominal wall hernias, are either primary or incisional. Incisional hernias are more common and develop when a surgical site reopens. Primary hernias develop due to weakness in the abdominal wall and are less common. Like other hernias, they usually worsen over time, and your risk of intestinal loss of blood flow increases.

What are common hernia symptoms?

Hernias often cause a dull ache or burning sensation in your abdomen that develops into a sharper pain when you pick up a heavy object or otherwise create pressure that pushes your tissue further through the weak spot in your muscle.

You may also experience a sensation of fullness, nausea, and constipation. When left untreated, hernias often get bigger and create noticeable protrusions or bulges in your abdomen.

How are hernias repaired?

Dr. Chengelis performs both robotically assisted inguinal hernia repair and laparoscopic inguinal hernia repair. Both robotic and laparoscopic hernia repairs provide benefits for you like more rapid recovery, less pain, and improved patient outcomes with less scarring than traditional surgeries.

Most hernia repairs are outpatient procedures. Dr. Chengelis is often able to complete your minimally invasive hernia repair surgery in less than an hour. While you may have some discomfort after your surgery, you should feel fully recovered within five days, although you should avoid strenuous exercise and heavy lifting for 3-6 weeks.

If you have a hernia and want to have it repaired before it grows larger and more severe, call or schedule a consultation online today.