Hernia and Gallbladder Surgery
520 East 70th Street, Starr Pavilion, 8th Floor
New York, NY 10021
Exceptional Surgeons for Hernias and Gallbladder Conditions
The Center for Hernia and Gallbladder Surgery at Weill Cornell Medicine provides the most effective care possible, using personalized and multidisciplinary treatment. Our surgeons are highly trained experts in treating all types of hernias and gallbladder conditions, including complex repairs.
Using the most advanced technologies available, our team carefully evaluates each patient to diagnose your condition and develop a treatment plan to help you achieve the best possible long-term results.
Request an appointment online today or call us to schedule a visit with our surgeons.
Hernia Surgery
Hernias occur when an internal organ pushes out through a gap or weak spot in the muscle or tissue that usually holds it in, causing a bulge. There are different types of hernias, but the most common hernias occur in the areas of your stomach and groin (the space between your lower belly and upper thigh). Hernias can be a mild irritation or a life-threatening condition requiring emergency surgery, depending on the type and severity.
Patients with symptoms usually require hernia repair surgery to prevent the possible complications of a hernia in the future. Symptoms can include a noticeable lump or bulge, pain while lifting, as well as a sense of feeling full or constipated. Most of our patients receive minimally invasive surgical treatment, which is done using small incisions (cuts) and very few stitches.
Gallbladder Surgery
Your gallbladder is a small organ below your liver. It holds and releases bile, a fluid that goes from the liver and gallbladder into the small intestine, where it helps with digestion. Gallstones can form when bile hardens into a stone-like material. When gallstones block the bile ducts, it can lead to a severe or life-threatening infection. Gallbladder disorders can cause pain in your abdomen, as well as your right shoulder. Some conditions may cause you to vomit or feel like you might vomit.
Treatment depends on the location of the blockage and what problems develop because of it. Your doctor may recommend surgery to remove your gallbladder. This is called a cholecystectomy. Sometimes it may be important to evaluate the bile ducts at the same time as gallbladder surgery. Our surgeons have expertise with a tool used to evaluate the bile ducts called a choledochoscope.
Leaders in Advanced Techniques and Minimally Invasive Surgical Treatments
Weill Cornell Medicine’s world-class surgeons are experts in minimally invasive surgery — like laparoscopy and robotic surgery. They are experts on abdominal wall hernia repair using minimally invasive surgical techniques, such as robotic-assisted extraperitoneal surgery. They can also perform complex abdominal wall reconstruction for larger hernias with excellent functional and cosmetic outcomes.
Minimally invasive surgical treatment reduces a patient’s pain and recovery times. Unlike traditional “open” surgery, minimally invasive procedures use small incisions, making surgery less painful and helping patients recover faster.
Collaborative, Personalized Surgical Care
The Weill Cornell Medicine Center for Hernia and Gallbladder Surgery includes surgeons specializing in endocrine, bariatric, trauma, reconstructive and other types of surgery. They work as a team to provide each patient with the best possible care.
Our team determines the most appropriate surgical treatment plan based on your unique condition, lifestyle, medical history and health goals. The Weill Cornell Medicine Center for Hernia and Gallbladder Surgery has the expertise to treat the entire range of hernia and gallbladder conditions — including complex and challenging cases.
Innovative Treatment for All Conditions
Our team provides surgical treatment for:
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Epigastric hernia: Hernia located in the belly wall
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Hiatal hernia: Hernia located in the diaphragm, a thin muscle that separates the abdomen from the chest
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Femoral hernia: Hernia located near the lower belly and into the upper thigh
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Inguinal hernia: Hernia located near the groin or scrotum
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Paraesophageal hernia: Hernia located alongside the esophagus
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Ventral or incisional hernia: Hernia located in the area of the incision (surgical cut) after previous surgery
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Umbilical hernia: Hernia located near the belly button or navel
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Cholecystitis: Inflammation of the gallbladder
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Gallstones: Stone-like material formed from digestive fluid (bile) in your gallbladder
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Choledocholithiasis: Condition caused when a gallstone blocks the common bile duct
What to Expect
Your initial appointment at the Weill Cornell Medicine Center for Hernia and Gallbladder Surgery will include a careful evaluation of your health, symptoms, lifestyle and family history. Your doctor may schedule tests to diagnose your condition, such as an ultrasound scan.
After your diagnosis, your team of surgeons will develop a plan based on your specific condition. You will discuss the surgery in detail and be able to ask questions at any time.
On the day of surgery, our staff ensures that each patient receives exceptional care from the moment they are admitted. After a patient leaves the hospital, Weill Cornell Medicine physicians continue to provide follow-up care, including check-ups, blood tests and imaging tests, to ensure the best possible outcomes for our patients.
Request an appointment online today or call us to schedule a visit with our surgeons.
