Men and women suffering with pain or a bulge in the abdomen or groin area have two opportunities in August to meet with a surgeon for a free hernia screening.
Powers Health Medical Group Surgeon Carlos Gonzalez, MD, will screen people and offer hernia treatment information during 15-minute appointments. Screenings will take place from 4:30-7:30 p.m. Aug. 6 at St. Catherine Hospital, 4320 Fir St., Suite 410, East Chicago, and from 4:30-7:30 p.m. Aug. 28 at South Shore Surgical, 10110 Donald Powers Drive, Suite 202, Munster. Call 219-836-3477 to schedule an appointment.
Gonzalez uses the da Vinci Surgical System, a minimally invasive robotic-assisted option, to repair hernias. The procedure results in a quicker and safer recovery. Its magnified 3D, high-definition camera allows Gonzalez to see 10 times better than the naked eye, leading to a precise approach. Wrist articulated instruments allow greater access to the body than typical surgical instruments.
“When you see better, you have better precision. That translates to better technique with less risk of operative complication,” Gonzalez said. “Another characteristic of this technology is the robotic instruments are articulated. When you have articulated instruments, it will allow you to get to places other instruments cannot and improve hernia repairs.”
This approach offers a lower risk of operative and postoperative complications, patients who undergo hernia surgery via the da Vinci Surgical System experience less pain and have a faster recovery. Most go home the same day they have their procedure, and they do not need narcotics for pain control.
Common hernia symptoms include a bulge or pain in the abdomen or groin area, or tenderness on a scar from a previous surgery, such as gallbladder removal.
“When I decided to become a doctor, my main goal was to help the community. I’m excited about these free screening events because hernias can become a problem if they are not treated in a timely manner,” Gonzalez said. “Early detection can help people avoid emergency surgery.”
For more information, visit PowersHealth.org.