A hernia occurs when an organ, such as the intestines, or fatty tissue in the body pushes its way through an opening in the muscle or connective tissue that holds it in place. Hernias occur most often in the midline of the abdomen, the upper thigh, belly button or in the groin regions. To fix a hernia, we often use special mesh materials to patch the affected area and make a tension-free repair. The mesh is usually secured with sutures or staples. This technique helps strengthen the repair and decreases the rate of recurrence. Many hernias can be repaired laparoscopically, and sometimes with the robot. The advantages of laparoscopic surgery include a quicker recovery, reduced post-operative pain, and most patients go home the same day of the surgery. They also enjoy a return to normal activities faster than patients having open surgery.