Leading Hernia Surgery & Treatment Center in Walnut Creek and the East Bay

Laparoscopic hernia repair is a minimally invasive surgery used to fix a hernia through a few small incisions rather than a large open cut. During the procedure, a surgeon inserts a camera and specialized instruments to reinforce the abdominal wall with sutures or medical mesh.

Benefits include:

• Less pain after surgery
• Smaller scars
• Faster healing and return to activities
• Lower infection risk compared to open repair

At Hernia Innovations in Walnut Creek, Concord, Antioch, and Brentwood, laparoscopic repair is the standard approach for most hernia types.

The most common hernia types include:

• Inguinal hernia – occurs in the groin; most common in men
• Femoral hernia – appears in the upper thigh; more common in women
• Umbilical hernia – occurs near the belly button
• Hiatal hernia – part of the stomach pushes through the diaphragm into the chest
• Incisional hernia – forms at the site of a previous surgical incision

Each hernia behaves differently, and not all require immediate surgery—but none heal on their own.

Yes. Hernia surgery has become safer, faster, and more precise. Major advancements include:

• Modern laparoscopic and robotic-assisted techniques
• Lightweight, long-lasting mesh designed to reduce recurrence
• Smaller incisions that minimize pain
• Improved imaging tools to diagnose complex hernias

These innovations help patients recover more quickly with fewer complications.

No — hernias do not heal without treatment.
They often enlarge over time and may lead to:

• Increasing pain
• Activity limitations
• Risk of bowel obstruction
• Strangulation, a dangerous emergency where blood flow is cut off

Because of these risks, most hernias eventually require surgery. If you're unsure whether yours needs repair, our surgeons can provide a personalized evaluation.