Hernia repair starts with clear answers.
For a groin, belly button, abdominal wall, or prior-incision bulge, Dr. Colin Dunn provides a careful evaluation and a plan built around you
Request a hernia evaluation
A few short questions help our team direct your request. This does not diagnose a hernia or replace urgent care.
Some hernia symptoms need urgent care.
Seek urgent medical attention for sudden severe pain, a bulge that cannot be pushed back in, red, purple, or dark skin over a bulge, fever, nausea or vomiting, or inability to pass stool or gas.
What is a hernia?
A hernia happens when tissue pushes through a weak spot in the abdominal wall. You may notice a bulge in the groin or near the belly button, or pain and pressure with lifting, coughing, or straining.
Hernia repair returns the tissue to its proper place and reinforces the weak area. The right approach depends on the type of hernia, its size and location, previous surgeries, and your health.
Do any of these sound familiar?
Many hernias are not emergencies. Still, a timely surgical evaluation can help clarify what is happening and prevent uncertainty from lingering.
A bulge that is growing
A new or changing bulge in the groin, belly button, or abdominal wall is worth having checked.
Pain or pressure with activity
Discomfort when lifting, coughing, straining, or moving through daily life can be a reason to talk with a specialist.
A prior repair that has changed
A recurrent bulge, new discomfort, or questions after a prior hernia repair deserve a tailored opinion.
A plan that is unclear
If you have been told to wait, need a second opinion, or are unsure about mesh or repair options, a consultation can help.
More than one way to repair a hernia
Open, laparoscopic, and robotic techniques are tools, not a sales pitch. Your surgical plan should reflect what is safest and most durable for your specific situation.
Open repair
One incision near the hernia gives your surgeon direct access to repair or reinforce the weak spot.
Laparoscopic repair
Several small incisions, a camera, and long instruments can be used for some hernia repairs.
Robotic-assisted repair
A minimally invasive approach where the surgeon controls specialized instruments from a console.
Know the name. Then get the right guidance.
The name is only a starting point. Your examination and, when needed, imaging help define the next step.
Your first appointment is for answers
Request an evaluation
Use the short form to let our team know what you are experiencing.
Connect with the team
We help you understand the scheduling process and what to bring.
Complete a personal evaluation
Your symptoms, health history, and repair options are reviewed.
Leave with a clear plan
You can make an informed decision about the most appropriate next step.
Come prepared with the questions that matter.
A meaningful consultation should leave you with more than a procedure name. It should help you understand the reasoning behind a recommendation.
Useful questions to bring
Dr. Colin Dunn
Dr. Dunn provides patient-centered surgical care built on careful evaluation, clear communication, and individualized treatment planning. Your visit begins with a conversation about the problem in front of you.
Common questions about hernia repair.
These answers are meant to help you prepare for a useful conversation. They do not replace an individual medical evaluation.
An evaluation may be helpful for a new or growing bulge, pain or pressure with daily activity, a hernia that has returned after a prior repair, or uncertainty about a possible hernia. An individual exam determines the right next step.
Hernias generally do not heal on their own. Some small hernias with no symptoms can be watched for a time, while others need a more timely repair. A surgeon can help you understand the difference.
Not always. A consultation is an opportunity to understand the type of hernia, your symptoms, and the options. Surgery is not automatic simply because you request an evaluation.
Each approach has a different way of reaching and repairing the weak spot. The best fit depends on the hernia type, size, location, your prior surgery, your health, and other factors.
Mesh is often used to reinforce a repair, but the decision depends on the specific hernia and the surgical plan. Your surgeon can explain why mesh may or may not be recommended for you.
Sudden severe pain, a bulge that cannot be pushed back in, red, purple, or dark skin over the bulge, fever, nausea or vomiting, or inability to pass stool or gas may require urgent care. Do not wait for an online appointment request if those symptoms are present.
Ready to get clear answers about ESG?
If a bulge, discomfort, or previous repair is affecting your life, start with a clear conversation about your hernia and your options.