Dekalb Surgical Associates

11/07/2025

“Do I really have to avoid heavy lifting for 6–8 weeks after hernia surgery?”

Short answer: not necessarily. Restrictions vary by surgeon and by the specifics of your repair, but my guidance is activity as tolerated—even in the first week.

Our rule of thumb:
If it doesn’t hurt too much, it’s probably okay. That includes walking, stairs, driving, and even lifting. Pain is your body’s built-in governor; it limits you before you can harm the repair. We sometimes tell patients: if someone tried to “prove” they could disrupt a well-done repair, they’d find it nearly impossible—the pain would stop them first.

What to do early on (days 1–7):
• Walk frequently and climb stairs as needed.
• Drive when you’re off narcotic pain meds and feel safe reacting quickly.
• Lift everyday items; increase gradually, guided by comfort.
What to avoid for 4–6 weeks:
• Bicycling in traffic (quick twists/braking can be risky while sore).
• Ladders (falls and sudden core strain are the real enemy).
• Any activity that causes sharp, escalating pain at the repair site.
Why this works:
Modern repairs are strong from the start. The main risk isn’t the act of lifting—it’s overriding your pain signal or taking a fall. Let discomfort be your speed limit and you’ll naturally progress without setbacks.

When stricter limits may apply:
Large or recurrent hernias, complex reconstructions, or significant medical issues may warrant a slower ramp. Always follow the specific plan you and your surgeon agreed on.

Bottom line:
You don’t need a blanket “no lifting for 6–8 weeks.” Move early, add activity as it’s comfortable, avoid higher-risk situations like traffic biking and ladders for a few weeks, and let pain be your guide. If something feels wrong—worsening pain, swelling, redness, fever—contact your surgeon.

This information is educational and not a substitute for medical advice. Talk with your own clinician about your situation.

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11/03/2025

“I have hernias on both sides, but only one bothers me. What’s my best option?”

Great question—and there isn’t a one-size-fits-all answer. Here are the practical choices and how to think about them:

1) Watchful waiting (for older men with mild symptoms).
If the discomfort is occasional and not limiting, it’s reasonable to monitor both hernias. Many men choose this for months or years and decide on surgery only if pain increases. Seek urgent care if a bulge becomes painful, stuck, or firm. (Note: because women have a higher risk of femoral hernias, we usually don’t recommend watchful waiting for women.)

2) Fix the symptomatic side only.
An open repair through a small groin incision can target just the side that bothers you and can often be done with local anesthesia and light sedation (no full general anesthesia). This is appealing if avoiding general anesthesia is a priority or if you want the shortest, most focused procedure now.

3) Repair both sides in one operation.
If you want to “one-and-done” it, a laparoscopic (or robotic) repair treats both sides through the same tiny incisions. This typically requires general anesthesia and can offer a smooth early recovery—especially helpful if you’re active or your job is physical.

An open approach can still be used to repair bilateral hernias, using 2 separate incisions, so one can still avoid general anesthesia if desired in this situation. Some surgeons recommend staged repairs, one side, then waiting some weeks before repairing the other if done open, but we are comfortable repairing both at the same time.

How to decide
• Your priorities: Avoid general anesthesia? Prefer to fix both at once? Need a quick return to work?
• Hernia details: Size, reducibility, side(s) involved, and prior repairs.
• Health history: Previous abdominal/pelvic surgery, medications, and overall fitness.

Bottom line: All three paths are reasonable. If you want to avoid general anesthesia and only one side hurts, open repair of the symptomatic side is a strong option. If you’d like both fixed now with minimal incisions, laparoscopic repair makes sense, or “open”, to avoid general anesthesia. Let’s review your exam and goals together and choose the plan that best fits you.

This information is educational and not a substitute for medical advice. Talk with your own clinician about your situation.

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10/29/2025

“Can you fix my hernia without mesh?”

Short answer: sometimes, yes—but it depends on the type and size of your hernia and your goals for recovery.

What “mesh” means.
Mesh is a medical patch used to reinforce the abdominal wall. For many adult hernias—especially larger inguinal (groin) or umbilical hernias—mesh repair lowers the risk of the hernia coming back. Most people do well with mesh, but some prefer to avoid it.

Non-mesh (tissue) repairs.
There are time-tested techniques—(some of them are named after a surgeon who first described them) like Shouldice, Bassini, or Desarda for inguinal hernias—that use your own tissue to close and reinforce the defect with sutures. These are typically done through a small open incision and can often be performed with local anesthesia and light sedation (no full general anesthesia). For small, first-time hernias in patients with healthy tissue, this can be a very reasonable option.

Trade-offs to consider.
• Recurrence: Non-mesh repairs can have a higher chance of the hernia returning, particularly for larger defects or heavy-lifting lifestyles. For ventral hernias (those in the midline of the abdomen) we would typically discourage a non mesh repair, because of such a high risk for recurrence.
• Recovery: Early discomfort is similar. Return to light activity is usually quick in both, with gradual increases over a few weeks.
• Anesthesia & scars: Open tissue repair can avoid general anesthesia and uses one small incision; laparoscopic mesh repairs use several tiny incisions but typically require general anesthesia.
• Hernia type: Very small umbilical hernias may be closed with sutures alone; larger ones usually benefit from mesh to stay durable.

Bottom line: If avoiding mesh—or avoiding general anesthesia—is a top priority, tell your surgeon. We’ll examine the hernia, review your medical history, discuss your work and activity goals, and offer a personalized recommendation. In many cases you do have a non-mesh option; in others, mesh offers the best long-term durability. The right choice is the one that fits your priorities and anatomy.

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09/11/2025

Mount Vernon Anatomy: Surgery & Salad students went hands-on with robotic surgery at Intuitive Surgical, observing live procedures, practicing on simulators, and connecting classroom learning to the future of medicine.

08/14/2025

Got a hernia but avoiding surgery?

"I Have a Hernia but Don’t Want Surgery. Is It Okay Just to Use a Truss?"

A truss (support belt) can make you more comfortable—but it won’t fix the problem.
⛔ The hernia is still there.
⚠️ It can get worse.
🚨 In rare cases, it can become an emergency.
👉 In this post, learn:
• When a truss can help
• The signs you need urgent care
• Why surgery is the only permanent fix
📌 Your comfort matters—but so does your safety.

A hernia happens when part of an organ—often the intestine—pushes through a weak spot in the muscle wall. This can cause a bulge, discomfort, or pain. Many people wonder if they can avoid surgery by using a truss or hernia belt.
A truss is a supportive garment that holds gentle pressure over the hernia to help keep it in place. It can make you more comfortable and may help you do daily activities without pain. However, a truss does not fix the hernia. The weak spot in the muscle is still there, and the hernia can come back out as soon as the truss is removed.
In most cases, surgery is the only permanent way to repair a hernia. Without surgery, the hernia may grow larger over time and cause more symptoms. The biggest risk is that the intestine can become trapped (incarcerated) or have its blood supply cut off (strangulated). This is a medical emergency and needs immediate surgery. Warning signs include sudden severe pain, redness over the bulge, nausea, vomiting, or inability to pass stool or gas.
If you are not ready for surgery, using a truss can be a short-term option, especially if your hernia is small and not causing major problems. But you should talk to your doctor to make sure it’s safe for your type of hernia. When you ARE ready for surgery, check out our website to see your options. We’ve got you covered!
Bottom line: A truss can help with comfort, but it’s not a cure. The safest long-term solution is surgical repair before complications happen.

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03/03/2025

As of March 1st, our office has moved to the Montreal Medical Center, Suite 303, 1462 Montreal Rd, Tucker GA 30084. Still the same doctors and staff, at a more convenient location, just off Lawrenceville Highway inside I-285. There is lots of convenient free parking behind the building. We look forward to seeing you there soon!

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02/28/2025

Our phones are back up!! They are on answering service but you can leave a message! Thank you for your patience!

02/28/2025

Our phones are currently out or order. We are working on the issue. Hopefully they will be back up soon! We apologize for any inconvenience.

09/12/2024

The Effect of GLP-1 Drugs on the Stomach (Gastroparesis) and Risks for Surgery

What are GLP-1 Drugs?

GLP-1 drugs are medications often used to help people with diabetes or those trying to lose weight. These medications work by controlling blood sugar, slowing down digestion, and helping you feel full longer. Some common GLP-1 drugs include Ozempic, Trulicity, and Wegovy. These drugs are being prescribed much more frequently in the past few years.

What is Gastroparesis?

Gastroparesis means that your stomach empties food more slowly than normal. This can happen when the muscles in the stomach don’t work properly. GLP-1 drugs can cause this to happen because they are designed to slow digestion. For most people, this effect helps with weight loss and blood sugar control.

Why is This a Problem for Surgery?

When you have surgery, doctors want your stomach to be empty. This is because food in the stomach can cause complications like aspiration, which is when food or liquid accidentally gets into your lungs during anesthesia. Aspiration can be dangerous, leading to serious breathing problems or infections like pneumonia.
Since GLP-1 drugs slow down how fast your stomach empties, there is a risk that food may still be in your stomach during surgery, even if you haven’t eaten for several hours. This raises the risk of aspiration and other complications.

What Should You Do Before Surgery?

If you are taking a GLP-1 drug and have surgery scheduled, it’s important to talk to your doctor. Your doctor might tell you to stop taking the medication for a full week before surgery to give your stomach time to empty completely. Always follow your doctor’s instructions and let the surgical team know about any medications you are taking.

In Summary

GLP-1 drugs can be very helpful for managing diabetes and weight loss, but they also slow down your digestion. If you are going to have surgery, make sure to discuss your medications with your doctor to avoid any risks during the procedure. This way, you can help ensure a safe and smooth surgery.

06/21/2024

01/11/2024

The staff at DeKalb Surgical Associates (DSA) want to wish you a very Happy New Year, and best wishes for a healthy and prosperous future.

The start of the new year often comes with resolutions to do something new or different, or to get something done that should have been done long ago. When it comes to your health, resolutions to do something that should have been done in the past will pay dividends down the road. Perhaps you have a hernia you've known about for a while or perhaps you think you might have a hernia based on symptoms such as pain in the groin or around the belly button, with a bulge that you can see or feel. Maybe a good resolution would be to get this looked at in 2024.

The surgeons at DSA have loads of experience evaluating and repairing hernias. And as different techniques have evolved, there are a variety of options for how your hernia might be repaired. Be assured that we take a very individualized approach for hernia repairs. Depending on your priorities, one or the other technique might be preferred.

You might think that hernias are always repaired the same way, but that is not the case. It’s analogous to how one might choose different recipes for a particular entree. The final dish can be delicious even though prepared differently, depending on the chef’s experience and preferences, and the ingredients you start with.

Before we had the option of laparoscopic or robotic repair, all hernias were repaired through a surgical incision right over the hernia. This is now called the “open” technique. It still is appropriate in many cases. But now we also have the option of laparoscopic or robotic repair. Both of these newer techniques involve the use of gaining access into the abdominal cavity through very small incisions and repairing the hernia “from the inside out”.

In most cases, mesh is used as a primary component of the repair. And although we are quite comfortable with using this in virtually every case, there are some patients who would prefer that no mesh be used. And this is certainly an option when using the “open” technique. Laparoscopic and robotic techniques in most cases will provide a repair with less postoperative pain. On the other hand, the “open” technique can be done without requiring general anesthesia, or the use of a tube in your airway during the surgery.

Jehovah's Witnesses are very sensitive to what surgical techniques are used, giving priority to one that has the lowest risk for any blood loss, given their refusal to accept blood transfusions in any case. The “open” technique may be the best choice for those patients, and DeKalb Surgical Associates has become a “go to” practice for many of these patients.

So, the bottom line is, if you are thinking of having a hernia repaired this coming year, let us know what your priorities are, and we will make sure you “have it your way”!

Find out more about hernias on our website! https://dekalbsurgical.com/our-services/hernias/

12/14/2023

Dekalb Surgical Associates celebrating the holidays!