Farshad Farnejad, MD, MPH, FACS

09/10/2026

Not all hernias are created equal — and not every hernia should be treated the same way.

A small, straightforward hernia may seem like an easy fix. But hernias can become surprisingly complex, particularly when there is prior surgery, recurrent disease, large defects, loss of domain, obesity, multiple defects, or significant abdominal wall weakness.

That’s why who repairs your hernia matters.

An experienced hernia surgeon can help determine:

🔹 Does this hernia actually need surgery?
🔹 What is the best approach — open, laparoscopic, or robotic?
🔹 Is mesh appropriate, and where should it be placed?
🔹 How should the abdominal wall be reconstructed?
🔹 What can be done to reduce the risk of recurrence?
🔹 Are there additional defects that need to be addressed?

For a simple hernia, experience can help you avoid unnecessary complexity.

For a complex hernia, experience can make an even bigger difference.

Swipe through the carousel to see why choosing an experienced hernia surgeon matters.

Your hernia may be small. Your decision about who repairs it shouldn’t be.

09/10/2026

Patients ask me this almost every week: **"Can't you just take the stones out and leave the gallbladder?"**

I get why it seems like the obvious fix — the stones are what's causing the pain, so why not just remove those and keep the organ?

Here's the thing: the stones aren't the disease. They're a symptom of a gallbladder that's already prone to making more of them, and a wall that's often chronically inflamed and scarred by the time symptoms show up. Scoop the stones out and leave that behind, and you haven't fixed anything — you've just delayed the same problem, with real risks (spillage, infection, injury) along the way for zero lasting benefit.

Removing the whole gallbladder (a laparoscopic cholecystectomy) removes the source, not just the byproduct. It's one of the most common operations I do, it's minimally invasive, and most patients are eating normally within days.

Swipe through for the full breakdown 👉

Questions? Drop them below — happy to answer.

*This is general medical education, not a substitute for a conversation with your own surgeon about your specific situation.*

09/04/2026

🚨 THAT is what an abscess can be hiding underneath the skin.

This is a significant amount of pus drained from an abscess—but what exactly is pus?

🧪 Pus is made up of:
• Dead and dying white blood cells
• Bacteria and bacterial debris
• Dead or damaged tissue
• Inflammatory fluid and proteins

In other words, pus is largely the byproduct of your immune system fighting an infection.

🩺 Why does an abscess need to be drained?

An abscess is a walled-off collection of infected material. Because of that surrounding capsule, antibiotics may have difficulty penetrating into the center of the collection.

When an abscess contains a significant amount of pus, source control—draining the infection—is often a critical part of treatment.

Drainage can:
✅ Relieve pressure and pain
✅ Remove infected material
✅ Reduce the bacterial burden
✅ Allow the surrounding tissue to heal

⚠️ Never try to squeeze or drain a deep abscess yourself. Depending on its size, location, and severity, an abscess may require professional drainage, cultures, antibiotics, or additional treatment.

What you see in this video isn’t just “pus.” It’s the visible result of your body’s battle against infection.

Follow for more real-world surgical education and patient-friendly explanations of what surgeons see every day.

09/04/2026

04/29/2026

This CT image shows a large scrotal inguinal hernia—a condition where abdominal contents (often bowel) push through a weakened area in the groin and can extend down into the sc***um. When hernias reach this size, they’re not just uncomfortable—they can become dangerous.

What is an inguinal hernia?
It occurs when tissue, such as intestine or fat, protrudes through a weak spot in the abdominal wall in the groin. You might notice a bulge, pressure, or pain—especially when lifting, coughing, or straining.

Risk factors include:
• Heavy lifting or chronic straining
• Chronic cough (smoking, lung disease)
• Constipation
• Obesity or rapid weight changes
• Prior abdominal surgery
• Male s*x and increasing age
• Connective tissue disorders

Why this matters:
Large hernias like the one shown here can lead to serious complications:
⚠️ Incarceration (trapped bowel)
⚠️ Strangulation (cut-off blood supply → surgical emergency)
⚠️ Progressive enlargement and loss of domain

Takeaway:
If you notice a groin bulge or discomfort, don’t ignore it. Early evaluation and treatment can prevent complications and make repair safer and easier.

04/26/2026

Stepping away from the noise and back into something real 🌿

In a world that’s constantly demanding more—more productivity, more attention, more speed—we forget that our minds were never built to run nonstop. Nature has a way of reminding us to slow down.

Time outdoors isn’t just a luxury—it’s therapy.

Whether it’s a quiet walk, a hike, or simply sitting in stillness, nature gives your mind permission to reset. Stress lowers. Clarity returns. Breathing deep feels natural again.

We spend so much of life pushing forward, but sometimes the most productive thing you can do is pause.

Move your body. Get sunlight. Listen to the wind instead of notifications.

Give your mind the break it deserves.