Hernia Surgery in New Jersey
Select an AppointmentMedically Reviewed by Dr. Ajay Goyal, FACS
Hernia Treatment at
New Jersey Bariatric Center
At New Jersey Bariatric Center®, our board certified general surgeons specialize in minimally invasive, laparoscopic and robotic hernia surgery to help you return to your daily life with less pain and a faster recovery. Our surgical team provides precise, permanent solutions for inguinal, umbilical, incisional, and hiatal hernias. By prioritizing small incisions and the latest surgical technology, we focus on strengthening the abdominal wall while minimizing scarring and downtime, ensuring you receive the highest standard of modern surgical care.
Dr. Ajay Goyal, MD, FACS
Dr. James Buwen, DO, FACOS
Inguinal Hernia
Inguinal hernias occur in the groin and develop when abdominal tissue pushes through a weak area in the lower abdominal wall. Increased abdominal pressure from heavy lifting, chronic coughing, constipation, or strenuous activity can contribute to their development.
Not all inguinal hernias have symptoms. In some cases symptoms come and go.
Common symptoms include:
- Bulge in your groin area on either side of your pubic bone. It can travel to your scrotum or labia.
- Feeling of pressure or heaviness in your groin.
- Pain in your groin, especially when lifting, coughing, or bending over.
- Burning, aching, or pinching discomfort that may radiate into the inner thigh, scrotum, or pelvis.
There are Two Types of Inguinal Hernias
Direct Inguinal Hernia
- Passes straight through the inguinal canal wall, which is a small tunnel in the lower part of your abdominal wall, made up of muscle and connective tissue.
- Typically develops in adults due to gradual weakening of the abdominal wall over time, often associated with aging, chronic coughing, constipation, obesity, or repetitive straining.
Indirect Inguinal Hernia
- Enters the inguinal canal through the top at the deep inguinal ring, which is the entrance to the canal in the lower abdominal wall.
- Generally occurs because the inguinal canal fails to close completely during fetal development, leaving a persistent opening that can allow tissue to protrude later in life.
Incisional Hernia
Incisional hernias develop at the site of a previous surgical scar. It can appear months or years after surgery.
Incisional hernias vary in size. Smaller hernias may cause few or no symptoms, while larger hernias can involve abdominal tissue or organs protruding through weakened muscle, resulting in:
- A bulge or lump near your surgical scar.
- A sharp pain or dull ache that can increase during physical strain, such as lifting, coughing, or sneezing.
If you have a small incisional hernia and it causes no symptoms, you can monitor it with your doctor. However, it tends to grow over time. Both small and large incisional hernias can enlarge over time and may lead to complications such as bowel obstruction or strangulation if left untreated.
An umbilical hernia forms when tissue pushes through a weakness near the belly button. Signs Include:
- Noticeable bulge near the navel
- Pain around the belly button when coughing or straining
- Swelling that increases with activity
- Tenderness around the protrusion
While umbilical hernias in infants often close naturally, adult umbilical hernias require surgical repair.
“I had what could of been a scary stressful procedure turn into a very positive worry free experience with New Jersey Bariatric Center. I chose them for my hernia surgery, and the entire team made what could have been a stressful process feel supportive and straightforward.
My surgical coordinator, was outstanding—she answered every question promptly, kept me on track with appointments and paperwork, and was always reassuring when I needed it most. She truly went above and beyond to make me feel confident and cared for every step of the way.
My surgeon, Dr. Buwen, is incredibly knowledgeable, down-to-earth, and compassionate. He explained everything clearly, took his time during consultations, and made me feel completely at ease about the procedure. Because of his experience and knowledge he not only repaired my hernia but when he was doing the procedure he was able to fix another issue I had with my intestines that were stuck to my stomach and I didn’t even know about it.
The whole staff is friendly, professional, and truly invested in patient success. They were all amazing in the hospital and gave me round the clock care. I highly recommend New Jersey Bariatric Center.”
Hernia Treatment in New Jersey
Surgery is the only long-term solution for inguinal, umbilical and incisional hernias. At New Jersey Bariatric Center®, our procedures:
- Return the protrusion to be behind the muscle
- Tighten the weakened muscle area
- Reinforce with surgical mesh
Benefits of Hernia Surgery at New Jersey Bariatric Center®
Patients experience:
- Quicker return to normal activities
- Less post-operative pain
- Shorter hospital stays (typically outpatient)
- Potential reduction of anti-reflux medications
Recovery Timeline
Recovery After Hernia Surgery
- Most patients return home the same day or after one night
- Standard, daily activities resume within several days
- No heavy lifting (more than 10lbs) for 4-6 weeks after surgery
- Soft diet for two weeks after surgery for hiatal hernia
- Gradual reintroduction of potential trigger foods (caffeine, spicy foods) for hiatal hernia
Many patients experience significantly reduced symptoms and for hiatal hernias a potential decrease in medication needs.
Temporary side effects may include bloating or inability to belch, which typically improve over time.
Contact your doctor immediately if you experience fever, persistent pain, or difficulty swallowing.
Take the First Step
If you're experiencing hernia symptoms or other hernia signs, call 908-481-1270
Schedule Your Hernia Treatment Consultation in New Jersey
Six Convenient NJ Offices
Springfield, NJ
Bridgewater, NJ
Hoboken, NJ
East Brunswick, NJ
Totowa, NJ
Sparta, NJ
Frequently Asked Questions About Hernia Surgery
Source
- "Hernia Repair Surgery." Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland Clinic , 21 Sept. 2023, my.clevelandclinic.org/health/procedures/17967-hernia-repair-surgery.
