SECOND OPINION GUIDE
Recurrent Hernia: When You Need a Second Opinion
If your hernia has come back after a prior repair — or if you have been told your hernia is too complex — an independent evaluation from a high-volume robotic surgeon may change your options.
Hernia recurrence after surgery is not uncommon — and it does not mean your next repair has to be more painful or complicated. With robotic precision, advanced mesh placement techniques, and 2,500+ procedures of experience, Dr. Kakarla specializes in redo hernia repair for patients who need a different approach the second time.
Why Hernias Come Back
Hernia recurrence can happen for many reasons, and a prior repair failure does not necessarily reflect the quality of the original surgery. Common causes include:
- Tissue healing factors — smoking, diabetes, obesity, malnutrition, and chronic steroid use impair wound healing
- Chronic strain — persistent coughing, constipation, or heavy lifting that stresses the repair
- Technical factors — insufficient mesh overlap, improper fixation, or unrecognized anatomy
- Infection — mesh or wound infection compromising the repair
- Biology — some patients have inherently weaker connective tissue
Why a Second Opinion Matters
Redo hernia surgery is more complex than a first-time repair. The anatomy is altered by scar tissue, prior mesh, and previous surgical planes. Choosing a surgeon with extensive experience in revision surgery is critical.
A second opinion can determine whether surgery is truly needed, whether a different approach would give better results, and whether modifiable risk factors should be addressed first to improve outcomes.
What Dr. Kakarla Offers
- 2,500+ robotic procedures — extensive experience with primary and revision hernia repair
- Multi-technique capability — trained in robotic, laparoscopic, and open approaches to select the best option for complex anatomy
- Component separation and abdominal wall reconstruction — for large or complex recurrent ventral hernias
- Honest assessment — if watchful waiting or risk factor modification is a better first step, Dr. Kakarla will tell you
What to Bring to Your Consultation
- CT scan or imaging showing the recurrent hernia (on CD or through patient portal)
- Operative report from the prior repair (your previous surgeon’s office can provide this)
- Any pathology reports related to the prior surgery
- List of current medications
- The surgical recommendation you received (if any)
You can fax records ahead of time to (770) 339-9804 so Dr. Kakarla can review your case before your visit.
Medically reviewed by Dr. Venkata Kakarla, MD, FACS
Fellowship-trained robotic surgeon · Board Certified, American Board of Surgery
Last reviewed: March 2026