What Causes a Hernia & Who is At Risk?

A hernia is characterized by a break in an organ wall, usually in the abdomen, where a piece of an adjacent organ is protruding through. This causes a visible lump that can sometimes be accompanied with pain and swelling. Hernias can occur in people of all ages with little to know warning. Here are a few known causes and risk factors that can help you take the measures necessary to prevent a hernia from occurring.

What causes a hernia to develop?

• Obesity: Those who are overweight will have a higher level of internal pressure acting on their organs. 
• Cystic Fibrosis: This disease can cause chronic coughing in some patients, which increases the internal pressure of the person. It can also be accompanied by weakening of the muscles and body tissues, leaving them susceptible to hernias.
• Ascites: This condition occurs when there is a build-up of fluid in the abdomen, leading to increased internal pressure.
• Irregular Bowel Movements: Constipation and straining can put pressure on your insides, specifically the “corset” tissues.
• Pregnancy: In its later stages, pregnancy can cause umbilical hernias due to the abdominal pressure built up by the mature fetus.
• Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome: This disease causes a decrease in collagen and weakness in the body’s connective tissue, leaving opportunity for organs to push their way through.

What are the risk factors, and who is most susceptible?

• Age: Though babies can be born with hernias and it’s not unheard of for children to develop them, adults and elderly people are more susceptible since their tissues tend to weaken over time.
• Gender: Depending on the type of hernia, different genders may be more susceptible to different conditions based on their natural body makeup. For example, men are more prone to inguinal hernias, while women are more prone to femoral and umbilical hernias.
• Family History: Like many medical conditions, hernias can be hereditary. In addition, hereditary diseases that weaken muscles and organ tissue can also put a person at a higher risk rate.
• Lifestyle: Doing heavy lifting on a daily basis, whether exercise or work related, can put excessive strain and pressure on the body.
• Medical History: Those who have had surgical procedures or medical conditions in the past that affect body tissue have a higher chance of developing hernias than those that have not.

At Great South Bay Surgical Associates, our surgeons are experts in all aspects of open and minimally invasive hernia correction procedures. Rest assured that our doctors will always handle your surgery with precision and care. For more information, call 631-321-6801.

Hernia FAQ: Everything You Need to Know

Statistics show that up to 10% of the population will develop some type of hernia within their lifetime, causing over a half million hernia surgeries to be performed each year in the U.S. alone. If you are one of the many unfortunate victims of hernia damage, here’s everything you need to know about the condition.

What is a hernia?
A hernia occurs when a piece of organ tissue pushes against or protrudes through a weak spot in another organ or tissue in the body. This causes a visible lump in the abdomen that can sometimes be accompanied with pain and swelling.

Are there different types?There are tons of different types of hernias that can occur in both men and women. From the pelvic floor and abdominal wall to the diaphragm, hernias can affect many different parts of the body in different ways. To see a full breakdown of the different types of hernias, click here to view our past blog post.

What causes a hernia to occur?
Hernias form from a weakened spot in the abdominal wall. These weakened spots in the tissue may be present at birth, but can also be formed over time due to aging, injury, surgical and medical procedures, family history, pregnancy, obesity and any type of activity or exercise that causes strain on the body.

How do I know if I have a hernia?
Some experience no physical symptoms except for a lump in the groin or abdomen, while others will feel pain or pressure when bending, coughing or sneezing. Hernias can also be accompanied by a heavy feeling in the groin or abdomen, pain when lifting heavy objects or while making a bowel movement, and pain towards the end of the day when a lot of standing or physical activity took place.

How is a hernia diagnosed?
A hernia is diagnosed by a physical examination from your physician. The doctor will look for obvious lumps and will feel the abdominal and groin area for those that are not so apparent. In some cases the doctor may order an ultrasound, X-ray or CT scan to determine whether or not a hernia is present and its severity.

How are hernias treated and repaired?
Depending on the severity of a hernia, it may be reducible or irreducible. Those that are reducible are sometimes treated with abdominal binding methods to correct the hernia and push it back into the body without surgery, while irreducible hernias almost always require surgery.

Are there ways to prevent hernias from occurring?
Though there is not much that can be done to prevent the abdominal wall from weakening, a person can reduce the amount of pressure on the abdomen wall. Maintaining a healthy weight, eating foods that are high in fiber, drinking plenty of water daily, strengthening your abdomen with exercise and lifting heavy objects correctly are all ways to help reduce your risk of developing a hernia.

If you or someone that you know is dealing with the uncomfortable and potentially dangerous effects of a hernia, give Great South Bay Surgical Associates a call at 631-321-6801. Our surgeons are trained and skillful in all aspects of open and minimally invasive hernia correction procedures, and are guaranteed to handle your surgery with precision and care.

The Different Types of Abdominal Hernias

A hernia occurs when an organ or piece of tissue protrudes and pushes against or through another organ or part of the body. In the case of an abdominal hernia, a piece of bowel or body tissue pushes up against a weak spot on the abdominal wall, causing it to break through and lead to a feeling of weakness, pressure, burning, or pain in the abdomen, groin, or scrotum. You may also notice a bulge or lump in one of those areas, and can experience pain when having a bowel movement, lifting or coughing. Since hernias come in all shapes and sizes, here is a list of the most common types of abdominal hernias and how they occur:

Hernias of the Abdominal and Pelvic Floor:

• Inguinal Hernias are mostly predominant in men, occurring when the opening to the inguinal canal, the canal that allows the spermatic cord and testicles to descend, does not close up tightly enough after puberty.
• Femoral Hernias are present when a weak spot forms where the femoral artery and vein pass through the abdomen and into the leg. These are more likely to occur in women.
• Obturator Hernias are less common, but are brought on by multiple pregnancies or significant weight loss that weakens the obturator canal.

Hernias of the Abdominal Wall:

• Epigastric Hernias are characteristic of infants where a weakness of the midline of the abdominal wall exists. Adults who do not catch this hernia at a young age may notice a bulge between their breastbone and belly button.
• Umbilical Hernias occur near the belly button of a newborn, creating an abnormal bulge. Most times these hernias will self-correct and do not require treatment.
• Spigelian Hernias are extremely rare, occurring on the outside edges of the rectus abdominus muscle.
• Incisional Hernias are a result of surgical complications where an abdominal muscle has been cut for a procedure, resulting in a weakened area susceptible to hernias.

Hernias of the Diaphragm:

• Hiatal Hernias can lead to serious complications and occur when a portion of the stomach slides into the chest through an opening in the diaphragm.
• Traumatic Diaphragmatic Hernias are usually a result of major traumatic injury from blunt trauma, stabbing or gunshot wounds.
• Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia are caused by a rare occurrence where the diaphragm does not completely close during fetal development. This can lead to serious complications within the lungs and their development.

If you or someone that you know is dealing with the uncomfortable and potentially dangerous effects of a hernia, give Great South Bay Surgical Associates a call at 631-321-6801. Our surgeons are trained and skillful in all aspects of open and minimally invasive hernia correction procedures, and are guaranteed to handle your surgery with precision and care.

Meet Dr. John W. Hsu!

At Great South Bay Surgical Associates your health is our number one priority. That’s why we strive to hire only the best and most skilled surgeons in the field to provide an array of high quality healthcare services, using both open and minimally invasive techniques. We know how scary it can be to find out that you need to have a procedure done, but getting to know your doctor prior to your surgery can help ease those fears. Through the implementation of our “Meet the Doctors” blog series, our goal is to help our patients feel calm, comfortable and confident that they’re in the best hands!

With that said, and without further ado, we’d like to introduce you to one of our own, Dr. John W. Hsu!

Originally from way out west, Dr. Hsu studied medicine and received his degree close to home at the University of Kansas. Upon receiving his medical degree the doctor went on to complete his surgical training at Truman Medical Center, a level I trauma center in Kansas City, Missouri..

But that’s not all! Dr. Hsu developed his education and medical career even further by pursuing specialty training in transplant surgery under a fellowship at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, located in Philadelphia PA. Upon completing his training, Dr. Hsu began practicing a wide variety of general surgery procedures, including: gallbladder surgery, hernia surgery, gastrointestinal surgery, endocrine surgery, hepatobiliary surgery, dialysis access surgery and treatment of varicose veins.

In addition to his many prestigious medical degrees and credentials, he is also an active member of the American College of Surgeons, the American Society of Transplant Surgeons, and the Vascular Access Society of the Americas.

To learn more about how Dr. Hsu can help you, give us a call at 631-321-6801 today!

At Great South Bay Surgical Associates, we strive to provide open and minimally invasive surgical solutions for any vascular or general health issues you may face. If you live in Nassau, Suffolk or the surrounding areas and are in need of a surgeon, click here to view our website or call us 631-321-6801 to schedule your free consultation today.

Meet Dr. Edward Timmins!

At Great South Bay Surgical Associates, we’re proud to have a team of superior surgeons who are leading doctors in their respective fields, with prestigious educational backgrounds from colleges, universities and surgical training programs throughout the country. These distinguished members of the medical field provide top notch healthcare service through the execution of high quality procedures for patients in need of open and minimally invasive general and vascular surgery.

We know the worry that most people face when they learn that they need a surgical procedure, which is why we’d like our patients to be able to know our doctors a little bit better beforehand. We want to ease your fears and help you find comfort in knowing that no matter the procedure, with the surgeons at Great South Bay Surgical Associates, you’re always in good hands!

With that being said, today we’d like to introduce you to another one of our surgical professionals, Dr. Edward Timmins!

Dr. Timmins grew up in Brooklyn NY and completed his undergraduate degree at the University of Pennsylvania. Upon completion of his degree, the doctor returned to Long Island to pursue a degree in medicine at NYIT College of Osteopathic Medicine (NYCOM) in Old Westbury NY and completed his surgical training at Nassau University Medical Center.

Following his residency, in 1998 Dr. Timmins joined forces with Great South Bay Surgical Associates, working hand-in hand with our extraordinary surgeons for more than 17 years. During his time with the practice, Dr. Timmins has developed an expertise in various types of general surgery, with a particular interest in hernia repair and minimally invasive surgery. As a board certified general surgeon, Dr. Timmins specializes in advanced laparoscopic surgery, dealing mainly with benign and malignant breast diseases, as well as gastrointestinal and abdominal related issues.

In addition to his prestigious hands-on medical background, Dr. Timmins also serves as a fellow of the American College of Surgeons and has been president of the eastern Long Island chapter since 2010. He also serves as the Director of Performance Improvement for the trauma program, one of a select group of surgeons providing trauma care, at Good Samaritan Hospital Medical Center.

To learn more about how Dr. Timmins can help you, give us a call at 631-321-6801 today!

At Great South Bay Surgical Associates, we strive to provide open and minimally invasive surgical solutions for any vascular or general health issues you may face. If you live in Nassau, Suffolk or the surrounding areas and are in need of a surgeon, click here to view our website or call us 631-321-6801 to schedule your free consultation today.

What is Laparoscopic Surgery?

Here at Great South Bay Surgical Associates, we specialize in several types of laparoscopic surgery. So, what does that mean? Commonly called minimally invasive or keyhole surgery, laparoscopy is type of surgical procedure where the surgeon is able to access the inside of the abdomen and pelvis through small incisions.

But, what if the surgical site is not directly in your belly? The beauty of a minimally invasive laparoscopy is that the surgeon will be able to feed small surgical instruments through the existing incision to reach the operational site. If you’re wondering how in the world surgeons are able to operate without being able to see the surgical site, the credit is due to a handy tool called a laparoscope. This is a small tube, equipped with a light source and camera, that’s weaved through the body displaying images of the patient’s insides on a television monitor for the surgeon to view. Amazing isn’t it?

Here’s a step-by-step breakdown of a laparoscopic procedure:

1. The patient receives a general anesthetic, which will allow them to sleep peacefully and painlessly through the procedure.

2. The surgeon makes small incisions around the patient’s belly button.

3. Carbon dioxide is pumped into the abdomen through the incision to allow for more room to work, and more visibility during the procedure. At this point, the laparoscope is inserted through the small tube as well.

4. The surgeon inserts the necessary instruments and carries out the operation.

5. After the procedure has been completed, the abdomen is relieved of excess gas and the small incisions are stitched up.

And there you have it! Just like that, the procedure is finished. The advantages of having a laparoscopic surgery include a shorter anticipated hospital stay, less postoperative pain and discomfort, minimal scarring and an expedited recovery time.

At Great South Bay Surgical Associates, we want our patients to be completely comfortable knowing that they are in only the best, most knowledgeable hands of leading surgeons in the field. Hernia repairs, appendectomies and gallbladder surgeries are some of the many laparoscopic procedures that our doctors specialize in. For more information or to schedule a consultation, click here to view our website or call 631-321-6801 today.

About Us!

Established in 1909 by founding partner Dr. Charles Murphy, Great South Bay Surgical Associates and  Vascular Lab has been serving the community with the tradition of caring and quality for over 100 years.  For generations we have provided high quality services using state of the art technologies in general and vascular surgeries, both open and minimally invasive.

Our practice is comprised of eight outstanding doctors that double as directors, department chairs of surgery and chairmen of the Surgical Peer Review Committee at Good Samaritan Hospital Medical Center, presidents and fellows of the American College of Surgeons and other elite medical societies, and hold various additional positions as innovative leaders within their fields.

These surgeons specialize in a variety of general, vascular and colorectal surgical procedures such as:

• Hernia Surgery
• Gallbladder and Hepatobiliary Surgery
• Hemorrhoid Surgery
• Pelvic Floor Procedures
• Laser Varicose Vein Surgery
• Sclerotherapy Injection Treatments
• Carotid Artery Surgery
• And more!

We also specialize in surgical oncology, covering areas including:

• Breast Cancer (Lumpectomy and Breast Reconstruction)
• Gastrointestinal Cancer (Stomach, Small Bowel, Colon and Rectal)
• Melanoma and Skin Cancer
• Sarcomas (Tumors of the Muscle)

At Great South Bay Surgical Associates and Vascular Lab, we understand our patients’ necessity for knowledgeable, friendly doctors that provide convenient procedures with effective results.  Choose us for all of your surgical needs and rest assured that you’ll always be in good hands - the best in the field!

For more information about the services we offer visit us on the web or give us a call directly at 631-321-6801.  Don’t forget to follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Google+ to get up to date information and health tips!