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Dr. Robert Wright, MD, surgeon at Cascade Hernia & Surgical Solutions at Meridian Surgery Center explains the risks and complications involved with inguinal hernia surgery. He advises on tips to alleviate swelling and bruising after surgery and signs for concern to look out for post-surgery such as nerve pain and worsening pain over time.

0:00 – Intro
0:16 – Risks of Surgery – Swelling and Bruising
0:59 – How to Have a More Successful Recovery from Inguinal Hernia Surgery
1:39 – Cause of Inguinal Hernia in Men
2:19 – Complications – When Should You Call Your Doctor?
3:41 – Nerve Removal Considerations


Learn more by visiting Meridian Surgery Center’s page on Hernia Surgical Solutions: https://cascadehernia.com/surgical-solutions/hernia/

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A hernia generally always needs to be repaired, as it is difficult to predict when a hernia will become an emergency. Dr. Robert Wright, MD, surgeon at Meridian Surgery Center provides information on what a hernia is, the types of hernias (including testicular, inguinal, umbilical, incisional) and when to consider hernia repair surgery. He also details what the recovery process looks like and things to do / avoid during your recovery.

0:00 - Intro
0:59 - What is a Hernia
3:11 - Types of Hernias – Testicular, Inguinal, Umbilical, Incisional
4:21 - When and Why to Consider Hernia Repair
5:53 - What to Expect Post-Surgery – Recovery Time, Returning to Activity
8:16 - Body Dynamics – How to Move During Recovery
8:28 - Recovering from Hernia Surgery – Getting Out of Bed, Avoiding Challenging Balance and Lifting
15:07 - Stretching and Activity After Recovery
17:00 – Ventral & Incisional Hernias
18:26 – Risks with Ventral & Incisional Hernias
20:07 – Potential Recurrence of the Hernia
20:43 – Post-operative Pain
23:47 - Surgical Complications – Risk of Bleeding or Bruising, Infections, Anesthesia, Reactions to Medications

Learn more by visiting Cascade Hernia & Surgical Solutions at Meridian Surgery Center’s page on Hernia Surgical Solutions: https://cascadehernia.com/surgical-solutions/hernia/

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The gallbladder helps to digest grease and aid in smooth digestion. There are several gallbladder issues that may arise, the most common being gallstones. Dr. Robert Wright, MD, surgeon at Meridian Surgery Center recommends gallbladder surgery for patients with gallstones who are experiencing pain. He explains the gallbladder outpatient surgery procedure, risks and complications.

0:00 - Intro
0:27 - Gallbladder Function and Gallstone Causes
2:06 - Gallbladder Pain – Gallstone Complications
3:21 - Other Gallbladder Conditions – Hyperdynamic Gallbladder, Biliary Dyskinesia
3:57 - Diagnosing Gallstones
4:22 - Gallbladder Emergency Symptoms – Severe Pain, Fever, Turning Yellow, Pancreatitis
6:11 - Gallbladder Surgery – Outpatient Laparoscopic Surgery
6:56 - Gallbladder Removal Post-Surgery Diet
10:01 - Risks and Complications – Injury to Bile Duct, Injury to Other Intestines, Pancreatitis from Left Behind Gallstones
14:36 - Surgical Complications – Risk of Bleeding or Bruising, Infections, Anesthesia, Reactions to Medications

Learn more by visiting Cascade Hernia & Surgical Solutions at Meridian Surgery Center’s page on Gallbladder Surgical Solutions: https://cascadehernia.com/surgical-solutions/gallbladder/

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Gastroesophageal reflux disease surgery can help patients return to a state of health where they feel like their intestinal tract is working properly again. Dr. Robert Wright, MD, surgeon at Meridian Surgery Center gives a comprehensive look into the anatomy of the esophagus and the causes, symptoms, and complications of gastroesophageal reflux disease. He also discusses treatment of acid reflux disease through medication and surgical options including Hiatal Hernia Repair, Nissen Fundoplication, LINX Device Surgery and Hill Repair.

0:00 - Intro
1:48 - Anatomy of the Esophagus and Acid Reflux
6:55 - Symptoms of Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease
8:31 - Complications of Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease
12:23 - Acid Reflux Disease Treatment – Medication / Proton Pump Inhibitors
14:15 - Acid Reflux Disease Surgical Options – Hiatal Hernia Repair
15:50 - Acid Reflux Disease Surgical Options – Nissen Fundoplication
19:10 - Acid Reflux Disease Surgical Options – LINX Device
20:39 - Acid Reflux Disease Surgical Options – Hill Repair Laparoscopic Outpatient Surgery
23:25 - Risks and Complications of Acid Reflux Surgery – Difficulty Swallowing, Failure Rate, Diet Recommendations, Hole in Stomach or Esophagus, Bleeding, Infection
29:53 - Post-Surgery Limitations and Recovery Time – Diets, Lifting Restrictions, Exercise Recommendations
33:32 - Surgical Complications – Risk of Bleeding or Bruising, Infections, Anesthesia, Reactions to Medications


Learn more by visiting Cascade Hernia & Surgical Solutions at Meridian Surgery Center’s page on GERD Surgical Solutions: https://cascadehernia.com/surgical-solutions/GERD/

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Melanoma is one of the most dangerous forms of skin cancer. Dr. Robert Wright, MD, surgeon at Meridian Surgery Center gives an discusses risk factors for melanoma, the ABCs of melanomas/moles, how staging and spread of cancer is determined and Melanoma treatment/removal options. He also shares a comprehensive look at surgery day, including preparing for surgery, what to expect during the procedure and post-surgery recovery.

0:00 - Intro
0:40 - Basics About Melanoma – Risk Factors
01:32 - ABCs of Melanoma
3:10 - Staging
6:48 - Determining Spread of Cancer, Lymph Nodes and the Sentinel Node
8:25 - Day of Surgery – What to Expect, Initial Biopsy
9:56 - Pathology Report Results – Staging and Next Steps
12:50 - Melanoma Outpatient Surgery – Cancer Removal and Sampling Lymph Nodes
15:21 - Closing the Surgery Site – Skin Grafting, Stitches and Healing
19:02 - Finding the Sentinel Lymph Node
21:30 - Preparation for Surgery
22:19 - Post Surgery Recovery
23:42 - Surgical Complications – Risk of Bleeding or Bruising, Infections, Anesthesia, Reactions to Medications

Learn more by visiting Meridian Surgery Center’s page on Melanoma Surgical Solutions: https://cascadehernia.com/surgical-solutions/melanoma/

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Hemorrhoids are caused by a varicose vein in the anal canal that can be internal or external. They are irritating and sometimes painful, leading to the consideration of hemorrhoid surgery. Dr. Robert Wright, MD, surgeon at Meridian Surgery Center explains hemorrhoid causes, symptoms and treatment options. He also details what to expect post-surgery including pain management and side-effects, avoiding reoccurring hemorrhoids, and recovery time.

0:00 - Intro
0:34 - What is a Hemorrhoid? Internal / External Hemorrhoids
2:13 - Treatment and Prevention – Diet
4:20 - Surgical Help – When to Look into Surgery
5:05 - Banding Procedure for Internal Hemorrhoids
6:00 - Hemorrhoidectomy – Outpatient Surgery
7:27 - Pain Management Post-Surgery – Stiches and Muscle Spasm, Medication Options
9:34 - Side Effects of Post-Surgery Narcotics and How to Avoid Constipation
11:05 - Dissolvable Stitches
11:50 - Post-Surgery Bleeding
13:09 - How to Avoid Reoccurring Hemorrhoids – Proper Cleaning and Drying
14:48 - Hemorrhoid Surgery Complications and Solutions
15:41 - Returning to Normal Post-Surgery – Recovery & Healing Time
16:44 - Surgical Complications – Risk of Bleeding or Bruising, Infections, Anesthesia, Reactions to Medications

Learn more by visiting Cascade Hernia & Surgical Solutions at Meridian Surgery Center’s website: https://cascadehernia.com/

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As with any operation, there is a potential risk for complications to arise following umbilical hernia surgery. Although complications occur infrequently, Dr. Robert Wright, MD, surgeon at Cascade Hernia & Surgical Solutions at Meridian Surgery Center describes what patients may experience post-surgery and provides solutions to these potential complications. He also outlines what to expect after surgery and things that can be done to avoid potential problems and hernia reoccurrences.

0:00 - Intro
0:37 - Complications of Umbilical Hernia Repair – Post-Surgery Pain, Ongoing Nerve Pain
3:18 - Reoccurring Hernias – Prevention and Solutions
5:17 - What to Expect – Umbilical Hernia Surgery

Learn more by visiting Cascade Hernia & Surgical Solutions at Meridian Surgery Center’s page on Hernia Surgical Solutions: https://cascadehernia.com/surgical-solutions/hernia/

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Wondering what foods to avoid and what you can eat after your acid reflux / gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) operation or repair of your paraoesophageal hernia? Dr. Robert Wright, MD, surgeon at Cascade Hernia & Surgical Solutions at Meridian Surgery Center advises on examples of foods to add to your diet and what foods to avoid during each phase of your post-surgery recovery.

0:00 - Intro
0:29 - After Your Acid Reflux Operation – Swelling, Difficulty Swallowing Solid Food, Difficulty Burping
1:52 - GERD / Acid Reflux Diet Phase 1 – Avoid Cold and Solids, Restrictions and Suggestions
7:15 - GERD / Acid Reflux Diet Phase 2 – Very Soft Foods + Examples
8:53 - GERD / Acid Reflux Diet Phase 3 – Relatively Soft Foods + Examples
10:10 - GERD / Acid Reflux Diet Phase 4 – Foods that Must be Chewed + Examples
11:15 - What if Something Gets Stuck While Eating?

Learn more by visiting Cascade Hernia & Surgical Solutions at Meridian Surgery Center’s page on GERD Surgical Solutions: https://cascadehernia.com/surgical-solutions/GERD/

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A port placement facilitates ongoing chemotherapy treatments and reduces impact on smaller veins by allowing the chemotherapy to be inserted into a large vein to be pumped through the rest of the body. Dr. Robert Wright, MD, surgeon at Meridian Surgery Center illustrates the process of chemotherapy port placement surgery and how it functions while explaining the benefits of the chemo port and complications that may occur down the line.

0:00 - Intro
1:24 - Port Placement & Benefits
2:16 - What to Expect – Outpatient Surgery, Post-Surgery Recovery, Maintaining the Port
4:19 - Inserting the Port – Location, Procedure
5:41 - Port Placement Complications – Bleeding, Blood Clots and Swelling, Infection, Pneumothorax
10:34 – What Happens if the Catheter Breaks?

Learn more by visiting Cascade Hernia & Surgical Solutions at Meridian Surgery Center’s website: https://cascadehernia.com/

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Pilonidal cysts that form near the tailbone can be an ongoing problem if not taken care of. They can also lead to further issues if the pilonidal cyst drainage is not performed properly during the initial treatment. Dr. Robert Wright, MD, surgeon at Meridian Surgery Center illustrates the different methods used to drain a cyst and how a two-phase approach of abscess drainage followed by surgery can effectively prevent reoccurrence of the pilonidal disease process.

0:00 - Intro
0:49 - How Does a Pilonidal Cyst Form?
2:52 - Pilonidal Cyst Abscess Infection, Drainage and Treatment
4:15 - Inadequate Pilonidal Cyst Drainage
5:19 - Pilonidal Cyst Surgery Procedure
7:06 - Post-Surgery Recovery – Sitting, Stitches
10:37 - Surgical Complications – Risk of Bleeding or Bruising, Infections, Anesthesia, Reactions to Medications

Learn more by visiting Cascade Hernia & Surgical Solutions at Meridian Surgery Center’s website: https://cascadehernia.com/

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Patients with a paraesophageal hernia have a 1% chance per year of having an emergency, these emergencies have a very high mortality rate. Dr. Robert Wright, MD, surgeon at Meridian Surgery Center describes at risk groups, how a hiatal hernia can become a paraesophageal hernia, when to seek treatment, and what to expect during and after surgery.

0:00 - Intro
0:54 - How a Hiatal Hernia becomes a Paraesophageal Hernia
2:24 - Paraesophageal Hernia Symptoms
4:06 - When to Seek Treatment – Emergency Risks, Chances of Mortality
6:03 - Paraesophageal Surgery - What to Expect Before, During, and After Operation
8:11 - Paraesophageal Hernia Surgery Recovery Time
9:05 - Surgical Complications – Risk of Bleeding or Bruising, Infections, Anesthesia, Reactions to Medications

Learn more by visiting Cascade Hernia & Surgical Solutions at Meridian Surgery Center’s page on Hernia Surgical Solutions: https://cascadehernia.com/surgical-solutions/hernia/

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Lymph nodes allow your body to drain fluids and direct them back into circulation. The lymph channel also allows infections to spread and in cancer patients, allows cancer to spread. Dr. Robert Wright, MD, surgeon at Meridian Surgery Center summarizes how the sentinel lymph node biopsy and lymphadenectomies can control the spread of cancer and discusses the associated risks and complications of lymph node removal surgery including bleeding, infection, seroma/hematoma, nerve sensitivity, and lymphedema/swelling.

0:00 - Intro
2:12 - Lymph Node Removal Surgery Risks and Complications – Bleeding, Infection, Seroma / Hematoma, Nerves, Lymph-Edema
9:01 - Lymph Node Post-Surgery Biopsy Results, Next Steps
10:08 - Surgical Complications – Risk of Bleeding or Bruising, Infections, Anesthesia, Reactions to Medications

Learn more by visiting Cascade Hernia & Surgical Solutions at Meridian Surgery Center’s website: https://cascadehernia.com/

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An open wound is commonly part of the healing process following surgery. Dr. Robert Wright, MD, surgeon at Meridian Surgery Center provides a step-by-step guide explaining how to take care of an open wound that has been packed with gauze. Learn what to expect during the healing process, when and how to remove the gauze from the open wound, how to keep the open wound clean and promote successful healing and signs to look out for if you suspect an infection.

0:00 - Intro
0:29 - How Does an Open Wound Heal?
1:26 - Packing an Open Wound with Gauze
2:44 - Gauze Removal – Pain Medication, Soaking, Removal Method
5:17 - Cleaning an Open Wound – Frequency and Tips
7:05 - Packed Wound Healing Time
8:43 - Signs of Infection

Learn more by visiting Cascade Hernia & Surgical Solutions at Meridian Surgery Center’s website: https://cascadehernia.com/

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A lump under the armpit, breast cyst or bumps on the skin may raise questions of whether these lumps and bumps could be a sign of cancer or another cause for concern. Oftentimes, the larger the tumor, the higher the chance there is of it being cancerous. Dr. Robert Wright, MD, surgeon at Meridian Surgery Center, recommends not to wait too long to get those lumps or bumps checked. He explains what can be learned from the size of a lump, the process of surgical removal and what to expect during post-surgery healing and recovery.

0:00 - Intro
1:01 - Sebaceous Cysts
2:27 - Using Size of a Lump to Determine Next Steps
3:30 - Removing Lumps / Bumps – Surgical Procedures for Small and Large Lumps
5:55 - Post-Surgery Recovery – Lump / Bump Removal
6:46 - What to Expect - Outpatient Surgery
7:58 - Surgical Complications – Risk of Bleeding or Bruising, Infections, Anesthesia, Reactions to Medications

Learn more by visiting Cascade Hernia & Surgical Solutions at Meridian Surgery Center’s website: https://cascadehernia.com/

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The use of mesh for hernia surgeries has faced its share of criticism. Dr. Robert Wright, MD, surgeon at Meridian Surgery Center provides insights on the safety and misconceptions about complications that may arise from the use of surgical mesh in hernia repair. Since its introduction, the use of mesh implants for surgery has resulted in the drop of hernia recurrences. The likelihood of infected hernia mesh or other mesh complications is 0.1%.

0:00 – Intro
0:11 – Hernia Mesh Safety and Risk of Complications
0:57 – What Causes a Hernia?
1:29 – History of Mesh
3:32 – Benefits of a Mesh Implant for Hernias

Learn more by visiting Meridian Surgery Center’s page on Hernia Surgical Solutions: https://cascadehernia.com/surgical-solutions/hernia/

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Dr. Robert Wright, MD, is the principal surgeon at Cascade Hernia & Surgical Solutions at Meridian Surgery Center. He has been in practice in Puyallup since 1990, after receiving surgical training at Texas A&M. He spent the first 18 years of his career working in trauma hospitals and performing cancer surgery, primarily at Good Samaritan Hospital. Over the years, his practice has evolved to become largely an outpatient general surgery practice, where patients can get care outside of the hospital.

Dr. Wright has also been doing research on hernias with pre-med students and medical students since the Cascade Hernia Institute was created in 2010, publishing papers and helping premeds get into medical school.

Cascade Hernia & Surgical Solutions provides outpatient general surgery for hernias, gallbladders, lumps and bumps, melanoma, cancers, hemorrhoid surgery and anal surgery, among other things.

Meridian Surgery Center is a Medicare certified surgery center with a Certificate of Need from the State of Washington.

The practice’s team includes Dr. Wright, Dr. Brian Nelson, Dr. Steven Duras, and Physician’s Assistant Brandon Swisher.

Learn more by visiting Cascade Hernia & Surgical Solutions at Meridian Surgery Center’s website: https://cascadehernia.com/

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