At his private practice in Los Angeles, Fullerton, and Orange, California, Dr. Trevan Fischer uses his extensive skills as a board-certified general surgical oncologist to treat both cancer and benign conditions.
Using state-of-the-art techniques, he performs surgery to address hernias, appendicitis, and more, along with cancerous conditions like skin and breast cancer.
Dr. Fischer keeps abreast of the latest findings in the field by working on clinical trials at Cedars-Sinai affiliate The Angeles Clinic and Research Institute, where he also trains fellows.
Hernias typically occur when one of the organs in the abdomen bulges through a weakness or opening in the muscle or tissue surrounding it.
They can result from surgery or injury, or be present at birth, but often develop slowly over time due to aging and wear-and-tear on the muscles.
Symptoms can include a bulge that may come and go, along with feelings of achiness, pain, or pressure. Often, discomfort increases with specific movements and activities. Some people may not experience any symptoms.
Hernias come in multiple types, including inguinal and hiatal.
Inguinal hernias are the most common type and account for about three-quarters of all hernias. They occur most often in men when a section of the bowel bulges into the inguinal canal, which is a passageway that goes down the inner thigh.
Hiatal hernias occur when the upper part of the stomach pushes through the diaphragm and into the chest. 20% of Americans and 50% of people older than age 50 have this kind.
Hernia repair surgery generally involves returning the hernia to its correct location and securing the abdominal wall with stitches or synthetic mesh.
This can be accomplished with an open incision or a minimally invasive laparoscopic procedure done either by a physician directly or robotically, with the doctor operating machinery to do the work.
Which type of surgery is best depends on a variety of factors.
Recovery time depends on everything from the hernia type, location, and size to the form of surgery, its level of success, and how the individual's body responds.
Most people feel fully healed after a few weeks, but some can still experience chronic pain for several months.
Long-term, often people find relief and have no further issues, but there are some things to keep in mind.
It’s possible that the surgical mesh can break down, erode, or fail. Infections can also occur in the mesh or in the surrounding area. Chronic pain is possible, as is the chance that the hernia recurs.
If you've been diagnosed with a hernia and need surgery to repair it, Dr. Fischer can help using the least invasive techniques possible for a faster recovery. Click to book an appointment or call the office today at 310-807-2688.
