Hernia Surgery in Tijuana
Laparoscopic repair with Dr. Eduardo Cárdenas Meave. Inguinal, umbilical, hiatal, and incisional. 45-60 minute procedure. Discharge the same day.
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★★★★★
Do you think you have a hernia? Check these symptoms
A hernia can show up in different ways depending on its type and location. See if any of these symptoms sound familiar:
A visible bulge in the groin, belly button or abdomen that appears when you strain, cough or lift something heavy, and may disappear when you lie down.
Pain or discomfort when you bend over, lift heavy objects or exercise, especially in the groin or abdomen.
A feeling of heaviness or pressure in the groin or lower abdomen that gets worse as the day goes on.
Severe heartburn, reflux or trouble swallowing (in the case of a hiatal hernia, which forms at the stomach).
Pain at a previous surgical scar with a bulge that keeps growing (incisional hernia).
If you have any of these symptoms, don't wait. Hernias don't heal on their own, and without treatment they can become complicated.
What Is a Hernia and Why Does It Need Surgery?
A hernia happens when an organ or internal tissue pushes through a weak spot in the muscle wall that holds it in. Think of the stuffing of a cushion coming out through an open seam.
Hernias don't heal on their own. No medication, support belt or exercise can repair them. The only definitive solution is surgery. Left untreated, they can grow over time and, in the worst case, become strangulated: the tissue that pushes through gets trapped and its blood supply is cut off. A strangulated hernia is a medical emergency that puts your life at risk.
The good news is that hernia surgery is one of the most common and safest procedures there is, especially when it is done laparoscopically.
150+
procedures per year
Types of Hernias I Treat
Learn about the types of hernias I operate on and their features.
Inguinal hernia The most common type. It shows up as a bulge in the groin and is more frequent in men. It can cause pain when you walk, cough or lift heavy things. It accounts for about 75% of all hernias.
Umbilical hernia A bulge at or around the belly button. It is common in women after pregnancy and in people who are overweight. In adults, it always needs surgical repair.
Hiatal hernia Not visible from the outside. It happens when part of the stomach moves up through the diaphragm. It causes severe reflux, heartburn, trouble swallowing and chest pain. It is repaired with laparoscopic fundoplication.
Incisional or ventral hernia It appears at the site of a previous abdominal surgery. The scar weakens and lets internal tissue push through. It is more common after open surgery.
How I Perform Hernia Repair
I repair hernias laparoscopically whenever possible. This technique offers better results and a faster recovery than traditional open surgery.
1. Initial evaluation At your first visit, I examine your hernia and, if needed, order an ultrasound or CT scan. I explain exactly what type of hernia you have and the best option for you.
2. During surgery Through 3 small incisions (under 1 cm), I insert a high-definition camera and specialized instruments. I repair the defect in the muscle wall and place a high-quality mesh that reinforces the area and greatly reduces the risk of the hernia coming back. The procedure takes 45 to 60 minutes under general anesthesia.
3. After surgery Most of my patients go home the same day. Pain is mild and controlled with oral medication. The incisions are so small that the scars become almost invisible.
4. Recovery You can return to light activities in 3 to 5 days, moderate physical activity in 2 weeks, and intense exercise and heavy lifting after 4 to 6 weeks, depending on the type of hernia repaired.
How Much Does Hernia Surgery Cost in Tijuana?
These are my approximate all-inclusive prices: hospital, surgeon's fee, anesthesia, mesh and follow-up visits.
Umbilical hernia: MX$35,000 to MX$45,000 (about US$1,900 to US$2,500).
Inguinal hernia, laparoscopic, one side: about MX$60,000 (about US$3,300).
Incisional or ventral hernia: from MX$60,000 (about US$3,300), depending on size.
Hiatal hernia (laparoscopic fundoplication): about MX$65,000 (about US$3,600).
The final price depends on the hospital, the size of the hernia and whether it is on one side or both. I accept Mexican major medical insurance, including GNP, AXA, MetLife, Zurich, Bupa, Seguros Monterrey New York Life and Asismed.
Why Choose Dr. Cárdenas for Your Hernia Surgery?
Having your hernia repaired by Dr. Cárdenas means experience and care you can count on.
More than 500 hernia surgeries performed Proven experience with all types of hernias: inguinal, umbilical, hiatal, incisional and complex.
Advanced laparoscopy My fellowship in advanced laparoscopy at Hospital Ángeles Tijuana allows me to offer minimally invasive repairs with superior results.
High-quality mesh I use premium medical-grade mesh that lowers the risk of recurrence and integrates naturally with the muscle tissue.
Dual board certification Certified by the Mexican Board of General Surgery in General Surgery and in Obesity and Metabolic Surgery.
24-hour direct access You talk directly to me, with no middlemen. Available for emergencies 24 hours a day.
We accept health insurance We work with most Mexican major medical insurance companies.
Dr. Eduardo Cárdenas is excellent at communicating and explaining the procedure in detail. I was lucky to find him through Google. I contacted him on a Thursday, without meeting him in person, only by video call. I asked about his availability and he could operate on me that Saturday. I decided to drive 3 hours from Costa Mesa, California, to Tijuana for the surgery. We found out the hotel is connected to the hospital, which is extremely convenient. I'm 7 days post-op with absolutely no complications or discomfort. (Translated from Spanish)
Ana M.
Dr. Cárdenas repaired my inguinal hernia laparoscopically. Everything went great, my recovery was very fast and his care is second to none! Thanks, doc. (Translated from Spanish)
Christian P.
★★★★★
★★★★★
Do You Live in California or the U.S.?
Many of my hernia patients travel from California because the wait for surgery in the United States can be weeks or months. Here's what I offer:
Video pre-consultation: We review your case by video call so you only travel on the day of surgery.
Surgery in days, not months: No waiting lists. We can schedule you within days.
15 minutes from the border: My office is at NewCity Medical Plaza, very close to the San Ysidro crossing.
Hotel connected to the hospital: No need to look for a place to stay.
Significant savings: The cost is considerably lower than in U.S. hospitals, with the same quality.
Bilingual communication: I speak English and Spanish.
Bilingual care guaranteed
★★★★★
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the surgery hurt?
The procedure is done under general anesthesia, so you won't feel anything. Afterward, the pain is mild and well controlled with oral pain medication. Most of my patients tell me the pain was much less than they expected, especially compared with the discomfort the hernia was already causing.
Can a hernia heal without surgery?
No. Hernias don't heal with medication, support belts, exercise or home remedies. Surgery is the only definitive treatment. A support belt may give temporary relief, but it doesn't fix the problem and can give a false sense of security while the hernia keeps growing.
What happens if I don't have surgery?
The hernia will keep growing over time. The main risk is strangulation: the tissue that pushes through gets trapped and loses its blood supply. This is a medical emergency that may require urgent surgery, which is much more complex and risky than a planned operation.
What is mesh, and is it safe?
Surgical mesh is a biocompatible material placed to reinforce the repaired area. It works like an internal patch that keeps the hernia from coming back. Modern meshes are extremely safe, integrate with your body's own tissue and lower the recurrence rate from 10-15% (without mesh) to less than 1-2%.
How long is recovery?
Light activities (walking, desk work): 3-5 days. Driving: 5-7 days. Moderate physical work: 2 weeks. Intense exercise and heavy lifting: 4-6 weeks. Every case is different, and I give you personalized instructions.
Will I have visible scars?
No. Laparoscopic surgery is done through incisions smaller than 1 cm, which become almost invisible over time. This is very different from open surgery, which leaves a 6-8 cm scar in the groin.
Don't Let Your Hernia Get Worse
A hernia repaired in time is a quick, safe procedure with an excellent recovery. A hernia that becomes complicated can turn into an emergency. Don't wait any longer.
Phone: +52 (663) 158-6186 Email: dr.cardenasme@gmail.com Location: NewCity Medical Plaza, 25th floor. P.º del Centenario 9580, Zona Urbana Río Tijuana. Hours: Monday to Saturday, 8:00 am to 7:00 pm. 24-hour emergency care.
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