There are five different types of hernias; inguinal, femoral, umbilical, incisional, and hiatal. All hernias are caused by a combination of pressure and an opening or weakness of muscle or fascia: The pressure pushes an organ or tissue through the opening or weak spot.  Sometimes the muscle weakness is present at birth, other times it occurs later in life.  Poor nutrition, smoking, and over-exertion can all lead to muscle weakness and as a result, hernias are more likely to occur. Any increase in pressure in the abdomen can lead to a hernia, including obesity, lifting heavy objects, diarrhea or constipation, or persistent coughing or sneezing. They all share common signs and symptoms, including:

1. An obvious swelling beneath the skin of the abdomen or the groin; which may also disappear when you lie down, and can be tender to the touch.
2. A heavy feeling in the abdomen that is sometimes accompanied by constipation or blood in the stool.
3. Discomfort in the abdomen or groin when lifting or bending over.
4. In the case of a hiatal hernia, heartburn is more likely to occur, but most hiatal hernias come with upper abdominal pain.

(Source: WebMD.com)

If you suspect you have a hernia, please consult with your primary care provider immediately, as they will determine if you need to see a surgeon regarding a hernia.  Having surgery can prevent a rare but serious problem called strangulation.  This occurs when a loop of intestine or piece of fatty tissue is trapped in a hernia and the blood supply is cut off, killing the tissue.

See your primary care provider if:

1. You suspect that you have a hernia.  Sometimes hernias require urgent medical care and an accurate diagnosis is important.
2. If you can’t get the hernia to go back in.  This is called an incarcerated hernia and is more likely to lead to strangulation.
3. You know you have a hernia, and you are nauseated and vomiting, or are unable to have a bowel movement or pass gas.  You may have a strangulated hernia or an obstruction, which are emergencies.  Seek medical care immediately.

(Source: WebMD.com)

There are four types of breast cancer surgeries; lumpectomy, partial mastectomy, total mastectomy, and modified radical mastectomy.  All surgeries are done to remove cancer while it’s still in the breast, and if you suspect you have breast cancer, please see your primary care provider to schedule a mammogram right away.  If the mammogram indicates cancer, your surgeon will then be able to advise you on which procedure is right for you and the type of cancer you have.

Lumpectomy – A lumpectomy aims at maintaining a normal breast appearance when the surgery is over.  In a lumpectomy, the surgeon removes the cancerous area and the surrounding margin of normal tissue within the breast. A lumpectomy is often followed up with a five to eight week course of radiation therapy. Women who have small, early-stage breast cancers are ideal candidates for this type of surgery.

Partial Mastectomy – A partial mastectomy is more extensive than a lumpectomy, yet still strives to maintain a normal breast appearance after surgery. In a partial mastectomy, the surgeon removes the cancerous and surrounding tissue within the breast, and the tissue removed is generally more than that of a lumpectomy procedure.  A partial mastectomy is also followed up with a six to eight week course of radiation therapy.

Total Mastectomy – In a total mastectomy, the entire breast containing the cancerous tissue is removed.  A total mastectomy is most frequently used for further cancer prevention, or when the cancer does not go to the lymph nodes.

Modified Radical Mastectomy – In a modified radical mastectomy, the entire breast containing the cancerous tissue is removed, along with the lymph nodes in the arm pit.

As is the case with all surgeries, you should thoroughly discuss these surgical options with your doctor to achieve the best results.  Whichever type of surgery is your best option, you should be able to return home after a short hospital stay. 

(Source: WebMD.com)

The gallbladder is a pear-shaped organ that lies just under the liver in the upper abdomen.  The gallbladder stores bile, a fluid made by the liver to digest fat. One main health risk associated with your gallbladder is gallstones.

Gallstones are made from cholesterol and other things found in the bile of your gallbladder.  They can be smaller than a grain of sand or as large as a golf ball.  Gallstones can be excruciatingly painful, especially if they are blocking a bile duct.  Symptoms are rare, but the most common symptoms of gallstones include mild to severe pain in the pit of your stomach, or upper right part of your belly, fever and chills associated with the pain, or the yellowing of your skin and whites of your eyes.  Call your primary care provider immediately if you have sudden or bad pain in your belly or chest and you are not sure of the cause.  Symptoms of gallstones may feel like chest pain caused by a heart attack and other serious problems.  The most common treatment of gallstones is to have your gallbladder removed via laparoscopic surgery, which involves small cuts in your abdomen to remove your gallbladder.  This type of surgery allows recovery within a week or two.

(Source: WebMD.com)

In its early stages, colon cancer usually shows no signs or symptoms.  However, the most likely warning signs early on include:

• Changes in bowel movements, including persistent constipation or diarrhea, a feeling of not being able to empty the bowel completely, an urgency to move the bowels, rectal cramping, or rectal bleeding.
• Dark patches of blood in or on stool; or long, thin, “pencil stools”.
• Abdominal discomfort or bloating.
• Unexplained fatigue, loss of appetite, and/or weight loss.
• Pelvic pain, which occurs at later stages of the disease.

There are many types of treatments available for colon cancer, and the best way to determine which one is right for you is to talk to your primary care provider and surgeon about them. One recommendation for treatment of colon cancer is surgery, and the type of surgery chosen depends upon the stage of the cancer.

When you arrive at Mason General Hospital for outpatient services – surgery, laboratory, diagnostic imaging, ER, to name a few – it is best (and closest) to park your car in the parking area outside of the hospital’s MAIN ENTRANCE (north end of the building).

As you enter the hospital, you will find a small desk (on your left) just inside the door.  On top of the desk you will see a ticket dispenser.  Please choose the service you will be needing (i.e., laboratory, diagnostic imaging, etc.) or select the service closest to what you need.  Then press the button, and a ticket will be dispensed for you.  Next, take the ticket, which has a number on it, and have a seat in the waiting area (do not lose your ticket).  You will be called by number to one of the booths, where you will be registered for the service(s) you need. Even if you have pre-scheduled an appointment, you will need to register at one of these booths before proceeding to the appropriate outpatient service area.  The registrar will direct you to your destination. 

Remember to:

1. Bring your ID and Insurance Cards, along with any orders that you received from your physicians.
2. Ask your physician if you need to fast, prior to having any lab testing done, and for how long you need to fast.

We want to save you time and steps, so following the above instructions will speed up your visit and get you on your way much quicker.