Hernia Surgery Williamstown
Hernia repair, provided by a Williamstown general surgeon with a focus on complex cases.
Understanding Hernias
Living with a hernia may be uncomfortable, frustrating, and sometimes worrying. What may begin as a small lump or mild discomfort in the groin or abdomen often becomes more noticeable over time, especially when lifting, coughing, or straining.
Although certain hernias may cause little more than mild discomfort, others can result in ongoing pain or serious complications when not addressed.
With advanced experience in complex hernia repair, Dr Roshan Ariyaratnam is often trusted by peers for intricate cases, revision procedures, and referrals.
Causes of Hernias
A hernia happens when abdominal contents push through the abdominal wall, often creating a lump or bulge in the groin area, belly button, or at the site of a previous incision. For some, hernias occur because of a natural weakness in the abdominal muscles and may be present at birth. For others, they develop over time due to strain from lifting heavy objects, chronic coughing, or difficulty with bowel movements.
Symptoms of Hernias
Symptoms of a hernia can range in severity. Most people notice a lump that may feel sore or painful, especially during exertion. Other common signs include:
- A heavy or uncomfortable dragging sensation
- A sense of heaviness or internal pressure
- An ongoing sense of discomfort in the area
- Swelling
- Localised pain in the area of the hernia
- Pain that worsens during physical exertion or lifting
- A warm or burning sensation around the hernia site
As hernias often grow larger and may lead to complications, surgical repair is generally advised to restore strength to the abdominal wall.
Types of Hernia
Three key types of hernias can occur in the abdominal wall:
Umbilical Hernia
What it is: Occurring near the belly button, an umbilical hernia happens when tissue or intestine breaks through the abdominal wall.
Common symptoms: Swelling or pain near the umbilicus, often becoming more obvious when standing, coughing, or lifting.
Treatment options: Initially, an umbilical hernia may be small, but leaving it untreated carries the risk of strangulation, which requires immediate surgery. Regardless of its size, hernia surgery is the only way to repair an umbilical hernia.
Groin Hernia
What it is: Occurring when tissue breaks through the lower abdominal wall, a groin hernia can extend into the groin or upper thigh. Inguinal hernias are most common, though women are more prone to developing femoral hernias.
Common symptoms: A feeling of pain or tightness in the groin, sometimes with a visible bulge that enlarges when coughing or standing, though in women it may appear only as pain or tenderness.
Treatment options: For groin hernias that cause little to no discomfort, monitoring the condition may be appropriate at first. However, most hernias become symptomatic within a year or two, at which stage surgery is often advised in an effort to relieve symptoms such as constipation or urinary strain.
Ventral Hernia
What it is: This type of hernia occurs when tissue pushes through weakened abdominal muscles, often near a surgical scar (incisional), above the belly button (epigastric), or between muscle layers (spigelian).
Common symptoms: A noticeable lump or discomfort in the abdomen that worsens with coughing, lifting, or physical effort.
Treatment options: Observation may be suitable for small, painless ventral hernias, but surgery is advised if the hernia increases in size or begins to cause discomfort.
Hernia Surgery With Dr Roshan Ariyaratnam
With broad experience in open and laparoscopic hernia repair, Dr Roshan Ariyaratnam offers individualised care to patients throughout Williamstown, using advanced surgical methods focused on patient wellbeing and results.
Following a referral, his approach typically includes:
- Initial consultation: Confirming diagnosis, identifying the hernia, and reviewing risks and benefits.
- Hernia repair surgery: Carried out with either open or laparoscopic approaches, depending on the hernia type.
- Recovery and follow-up: Providing advice and care on safe timelines for returning to physical activity after surgery.
Respected within the surgical community, Dr Roshan Ariyaratnam is known for his focus on complex hernia repair and abdominal wall reconstruction, earning frequent referrals from colleagues across Williamstown.
Mesh and Your Hernia Repair
In modern hernia repair, absorbable mesh is commonly used to support the abdominal wall and lower the risk of recurrence. Smaller hernias with few symptoms may be managed conservatively, but mesh repair remains the preferred approach for most inguinal and ventral hernias.
Mesh is tightly regulated in Australia by the TGA and supported by the ANZ Hernia Society. Though complications are rare, they may occur with both mesh and non-mesh repairs; however, mesh repairs generally have lower recurrence rates. Dr Roshan Ariyaratnam will discuss the advantages, disadvantages, and your individual circumstances so you can make an informed decision.
Robotic Hernia Surgery
Robotic hernia repair combines advanced robotic systems with refined surgical skill, offering a new standard in minimally invasive surgery. With the da Vinci Xi platform, Dr Roshan Ariyaratnam performs precise operations that minimise incisions and support faster recovery compared to open or conventional laparoscopic repairs.
Robotic surgery is particularly advantageous for difficult hernias, including ventral, incisional, inguinal, and recurrent types, where detailed dissection and tension-free closure are vital. The technology’s 3D imaging, tremor stabilisation, and articulated instruments offer superior precision for tasks like mesh positioning or tissue separation.
Key potential advantages of robotic hernia surgery include:
- Minimal scarring and less discomfort after surgery
- Lower risk of wound complications and infection
- Shorter downtime before resuming normal activities and work
- More refined technique in reconstructing and reinforcing the abdominal wall
- Improved safety and predictable outcomes for recurrent or complex hernias
Robotic hernia repair with Dr Ariyaratnam is available at Knox Private Hospital and Epworth Freemasons, where each procedure is customised to suit the patient’s anatomy, surgical history, and lifestyle.
Ready to address your hernia and potentially eliminate your discomfort?
Your Hernia Surgery Williamstown Questions Answered
Do all hernias need surgery?
A hernia won’t close or heal by itself, so surgical repair is typically recommended to avoid complications and recurrence. Many procedures include mesh reinforcement for added strength, and Dr Roshan Ariyaratnam will advise whether a mesh or non-mesh approach is most suitable for you.
own. This means that hernia surgery is recommended in an effort to prevent enlargement, complications, and the chance of developing a strangulated hernia. In many cases, mesh is used to reinforce the hernia repair and reduce the chances of it returning. Dr Roshan Ariyaratnam will discuss whether mesh or non-mesh repair may be most appropriate for your hernia.
What is the difference between open hernia repair and laparoscopic hernia repair?
An open hernia repair is done through a single incision above the hernia, while laparoscopic repair involves small keyhole incisions and a camera for internal viewing. Both restore the abdominal wall, but laparoscopic surgery can enable a speedier return to normal activity.
What is complex hernia surgery?
This describes a highly advanced repair for large or recurrent hernias, where the abdominal wall is rebuilt through restoration of tissue and blood flow, supported by mesh reinforcement such as an inguinal mesh plug or other absorbable materials.
How long is the recovery after hernia surgery?
Recovery time differs by procedure. With laparoscopic hernia repair, most people leave the hospital the same or the next day and can begin gentle walking soon after. Strenuous tasks should be delayed until cleared by the surgeon. Open repair tends to take longer to heal, but Dr Roshan Ariyaratnam will provide personalised advice for your recovery timeline.
What areas do you service?
Williamstown Specialist Centre is easily accessible to patients in:
Why Dr Roshan Ariyaratnam?
Specialist in Complex Hernia Repair
Experienced in a wide range of surgical approaches, Dr Roshan Ariyaratnam performs open and laparoscopic repairs as well as intricate abdominal wall reconstructions.
Rapid Access
Most patients are seen within one week of referral, with streamlined GP and specialist communication.
Convenient Access
Dr Roshan Ariyaratnam consults across multiple locations in Victoria, allowing you to choose the location most convenient for you.
Our Location near Williamstown
Book Your Hernia Consultation Today
If you’ve noticed a lump, pain, or symptoms that suggest a hernia, treatment options are available close to home. Dr Roshan Ariyaratnam is a specialist in complex hernia repair and aims to offer lasting relief from multiple locations in Victoria.
Book your appointment today and find out which hernia treatment approach may be right for you, so you may get back to living comfortably.