The Iskandar Complex Hernia Center offers complex hernia surgery and advanced abdominal procedures with unparalleled compassion and renowned expertise, so you can enjoy a dramatically improved quality of life.

Inguinal Hernia Surgery

Recurrent hernia when an organ —such as the intestine or fatty tissue—pushes through an opening in the muscle layer of the abdominal wall. Hernias are more common in men. It is estimated that 25 percent of men and about 3 percent of women will develop a hernia at some point in their lifetime.

Hernia Mesh can become complex due to several reasons: large hernias (greater than 4 inches or 10 cm), recurrent hernias (hernias that came back after being previously repaired), and/or hernias with wound or mesh infections. Hernias can also be complicated due to their location, previous surgery, obesity, diabetes and other medical conditions. Each time a surgical attempt to close the opening in the lining of the abdominal wall location fails, the nature of the complexity and severity increases. The patient’s surrounding tissues can become stretched or weakened, reducing the possibility of positive outcomes.

Many people with complex hernias believe they must live with the condition, being debilitated or facing a diminished quality of life. There is often a concern that life will never feel normal again. There can be a fear of:

A lessened quality of life

Morbidity

Limited mobility

Psychological well-being

Stress related to health and weight management

Greater degrees of body pain

Diminished social and physical functioning

Lessened sexual activity

Missed opportunities

Occupational and career limitations

Related health problems

Loss of pastimes and hobbies

We understand your worries.

Helping hernia patients regain an improved quality of life is our sole focus.

There is hope at The Iskandar Complex Hernia Center.

We want you to be highly informed about your recovery so you feel confident in your decision. Dr. Iskandar will provide specific pre-op instructions in addition to what can be expected after your procedure. Every complex hernia repair is unique, so you will have guidelines and answers provided that are tailored to your case.

Here are some general answers to frequently asked questions that typically apply, though your specific case may be differ. Feel free to ask Dr. Iskandar questions regarding your recovery. Part of our unparalleled compassion is ensuring our patients feel they have their questions and concerns addressed prior to the procedure.

RECOVERY FAQS

How long is recovery from a complex hernia repair?

Recovery varies with the complexity of the hernia and the surgery itself. Following the surgery, patients are usually able to eat and drink and are expected to attempt to walk. Within 2 weeks, most patients are reaching full recovery. As a precaution, during the 4 weeks following surgery, patients are directed to refrain from strenuous activity or heavy lifting.

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Hernia Surgery Recovery

Most people who have open hernia repair surgery are able to go home the same day. Recovery time is about 3 weeks. You most likely can return to light activity after 3 weeks. Strenuous exercise should wait until after 6 weeks of recovery. 

Hernia Surgery Repair

A hernia repair is a common but major surgery with significant risks and potential complications. You may have less invasive treatment options available. 

Hernia Surgery Laparoscopic

Laparoscopic hernia repair is performed with general anesthesia and requires use of a breathing tube. Three half-inch or smaller incisions are made in the lower part of the abdomen. In laparoscopic hernia repair, a camera called a laparoscope is inserted into the abdomen to visualize the hernia defect on a monitor. 

Hernia Surgery With Mesh

During hernia surgery, the hernia mesh is placed across the damaged area in the upper stomach, abdomen or groin and attached with sutures. The pores in the mesh allow tissue to grow into the device. The mesh supports the primary repair of the muscle tissue. 

Hernia Surgery Mesh

Hernia mesh, also known as surgical mesh, is a medical device used to support damaged tissue around a hernia while it heals. During hernia surgery, the hernia mesh is placed across the damaged area in the upper stomach, abdomen or groin and attached with sutures. 

Hernia Surgery Groin

Recovery time is about 3 weeks. You most likely can return to light activity after 3 weeks. Strenuous exercise should wait until after 6 weeks of recovery. Don't do anything that causes pain. 

Hernia Surgery Complications

Complications

Is Hernia Surgery Dangerous

Surgery to repair an inguinal hernia is generally safe and complications are uncommon. Knowing possible risks allows patients to report postoperative symptoms to their doctor as soon as they occur. Risk of general anesthesia. 

Hernia Surgery Scar

An incisional hernia is a protrusion of tissue that forms at the site of a healing surgical scar. This type of hernia accounts for 15-20 percent of all abdominal hernias. 

Hernia Surgery Recovery Tips

How can you care for yourself at home?

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The Iskandar Complex Hernia Center Hernia Surgery Recovery Time
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What should I expect immediately after my complex hernia procedure?

Abdominal soreness and tightness usually improve after 3 days. Patients are given an abdominal binder to help support the abdomen and reduce pain. In some cases, drains are placed to extract and collect fluid from the wound; therefore, preventing fluid collections, promoting healing, and reducing the chance of infection. Generally, the wounds are closed with dissolvable sutures and no wound care is needed.

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How long am I in the hospital after complex hernia repair?

If a minimally invasive approach is performed, it varies between outpatient surgery and up to 2 days in the hospital. If a traditional open repair is performed, hospitalization is longer and varies between 2-5 days.

How is my pain managed after complex hernia surgery?

A nerve block is performed while the patient is under anesthesia to numb the nerves that supply the abdominal wall. Blocks significantly lower pain levels and reduce the need for pain medications. In addition, a combination of intravenous and oral pain medications are used.

The Iskandar Complex Hernia Center

Large or complex abdominal wall hernias are a challenging surgical problem. Complex hernias require specialized treatment to reduce the chance of complications and hernia recurrence. The Iskandar Center specializes in abdominal wall reconstruction for complex hernias.

PREPARATION BEFORE SURGERY

Proper preparation before complex hernia surgery is as important as the surgery itself. As far as preparation is concerned, we focus on adequate blood glucose control for diabetics, adequate nutritional supplementation for people who are malnourished, smoking cessation for smokers, weight management for overweight patients, and reducing sources of potential infection.

In rare cases, patients with large hernias sometimes require more preparation with botulin toxin injection to help better close the muscles. This helps minimize risk factors in larger hernias.

ADVANCED PROCEDURE WITH THE LATEST TECHNIQUES

Hernia Specialist Dr. Mazen Iskandar utilizes the latest, research-supported, advanced techniques and mesh material shown to carry the lowest hernia recurrence and complication rates.

LAPAROSCOPIC HERNIA SURGERY VS. OPEN HERNIA SURGERY

In most cases, a minimally invasive approach is used with a surgical robot, to reduce the chances of infection and to speed up the recovery. This is called laparoscopic surgery.

If a traditional open surgical approach is selected, it would have the advantage of removing excess skin, especially in patients who have lost a significant amount of weight in preparation. Our goal is to restore normal anatomy and reconstruct the abdominal wall in every case. In other words, every effort is made to reattach the core muscle back to restore normal appearance and, more importantly, the function of the abdominal wall (long-term functional repair). In most cases, we attempt to place mesh outside of the abdominal cavity, meaning the mesh would not be in direct contact with the intestines which significantly reduces the chances of mesh-related complications especially infections.

POST-OP FOLLOW UP

After surgery, close follow-up is arranged to make sure that the healing process is as expected and to ensure that the patient is ready to resume their normal activities. We believe in whole-person treatment, seeking to have you have the highest quality of life possible.

WE SPECIALIZE IN COMPLEX HERNIA SURGERY

Complex hernia patients need a practice that focuses solely on complex hernia repair. It is for this reason, The Iskandar Complex Hernia Center was founded. Dr. Mazen Iskandar is a recognized expert in complex hernias with a compassionate bedside manner. He is an innovator in advanced hernia repair techniques for patients with complex, large, or recurrent hernias.

Shouldice Hernia Surgery Dallas

A complex hernia surgeon is a physician whose concentration is focused on repairing reoccurring or complex hernias. While many general surgeons perform hernia surgery, as a case becomes more complex it becomes more important to find a surgeon who has vast experience in dealing with complex hernia surgery and abdominal wall repair. Dr. Iskandar is one of the leading complex hernia experts in the United States channeling other surgeons to often refer their more complicated cases to him. Appointments may be scheduled with Dr. Iskandar through the Iskandar Complex Hernia Center located in Dallas-Fort Worth area.

ABOUT DR. ISKANDAR

Dr. Iskandar, MD, FACS is a board-certified general surgeon with fellowship training in minimally invasive and bariatric surgery. He joined Baylor Scott & White in 2019 after spending most of his training and career in New York City. Dr. Iskandar received his medical degree from the American University of Beirut and completed a general surgery residency training at Mount Sinai Beth Israel in New York City. After obtaining a fellowship in minimally invasive and bariatric surgery from NYU-Langone in Brooklyn, he was appointed as an assistant professor of surgery at Mount Sinai School of Medicine where he practiced for several years.

Dr. Iskandar’s additional training allowed him to develop his skills and focus on his passion for bariatric surgery and complex abdominal wall reconstruction and hernia surgery. Under his leadership, Baylor Scott & White Center for Hernia Surgery was established for the management of simple to more challenging complex and recurrent hernias. Dr. Iskandar’s philosophy is to achieve durable and favorable outcomes by providing better patient preparation for surgery and by using innovative techniques and materials including robotic surgery.

Dr. Iskandar is a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons, a Fellow of the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery, and a member of the Society of American Gastrointestinal and Endoscopic Surgery. He has several peer-reviewed publications, book chapters and presentations/abstracts in the field of hernia and bariatric surgery. In addition, he has been invited to medical conferences to present lectures on his specialty. Dr. Iskandar is fluent in English, French and Arabic.

Education

Medical School: American University Of Beirut-Lebanon (2008)

Education: American University of Beirut (2008)

Internship: General Surgery, American University of Beirut (2010)

Internship: General Surgery, Montefiore Medical Center (2011)

Residency: Surgery, Mount Sinai Beth Israel Medical Center (2015)

Fellowship: Minimally Invasive and Bariatric Surgery, NYU Lutheran Medical Center, Brooklyn, NY (2016)

“We believe patients treated at the center will have a great improvement in their overall quality of life, especially if they suffer from larger hernias.”— Dr. Iskandar, MD, FACS

“I felt like I received exceptional care from a specialist in hernia repairs whose bedside manner reveals a true concern for my overall wellbeing.”— Patient J

The Iskandar Complex Hernia Center KWs

EXCELLENT BEDSIDE MANNERS MEANS…

A team of encouraging and supportive healthcare professionals who understand a good and courteous bedside manner is vital to your recovery and healing.

A WORLD-CLASS HOSPITAL MEANS…

You’ll have the confidence from being in a facility that is skilled to deal with medical emergencies and critical care.

A TEAM OF COLLABORATIVE MEDICAL PROFESSIONALS MEANS…

Your team includes anesthesiologists, nurses, and other caregivers who care about hernia patients from across the country.

WEIGHT MANAGEMENT ASSISTANCE MEANS…

Any underlying issues can be addressed. The ability to have medicine or bariatric surgery for weight loss, as well as pre- and post-surgical nutrition and weight management assistance, diabetic coaching, and support and guidance for smoking cessation when needed.

What kind of doctor or surgeon repairs and operates on hernias?

While your general practice physician will often diagnose a hernia, they will refer you to a surgeon for surgical reconstruction of your abdominal wall. This can be a general surgeon, but as the complexity of the hernia surgery increases, many general surgeons will refer patients to surgeons whose sole focus is complex hernia surgery. Dr. Iskandar, MD, FACS is a leading referral provider in Diastasis Recti Dallas

Do gastroenterologists treat hernias?

While gastroenterologists often diagnose hernias, it is not within their scope of practice to perform surgery and they typically refer patients with hernias to surgeons.

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Do urologists treat hernias?

Some urologists perform inguinal hernia repairs, yet choose to refer other types of hernias or more complicated cases to surgeons who specialize in the hernia surgery for removal.

Can a plastic surgeon repair a hernia?

Though plastic surgeons often perform hernia surgery, is not typically their primary focus. When selecting a surgeon for your hernia abdominal wall reconstruction, ask how many basic hernia repair surgeries and how many complex hernia repair surgeries he/she has performed during the last year. What percentage of their total surgeries are hernia related? What is their success rate with hernia surgery? Know more about hernia surgeon Dallas.


When should you go to the doctor for a hernia?

Treating a hernia should not be delayed. Since a hernia involves an opening or hole in the abdomen, complications and problems can arise from the condition which, at times, can lead to unnecessary risk or develop into a life-threatening situation. Our staff will schedule your consultation at our DFW location. You will receive a full examination, discuss your hernia symptoms, and secure a diagnosis and treatment recommendation from Dr. Iskandar, MD, FACS.

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If you or your physician think you might have a complex hernia, please reach out to us. We will provide a comprehensive consultation with our treatment recommendations. Experience renowned expertise and unparalleled compassion.

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The Iskandar Complex Hernia Center | Hernia Surgeon Waxahachie, TX | Website: https://iskandarcenter.com/