More than one million hernia repair operations are performed in the United States every year. While the majority of these operations are very successful, there are still many patients who experience long-term, post-surgical discomfort. But that doesn’t have to happen. In this program we explore innovative surgical techniques that can offer patients shorter recovery times and smaller incisions. Plus we look at the advancements over the years in the material surgeons use to actually repair the hernia. We’ll see how modern mesh products have improved since the first ones were introduced in the 1950’s and hear about the difference these new products can make in patients’ lives.