Nov 10, 2025 | Blog
Prologue
Your four-score-year old institution is a global treasure when it comes to hernia repair. I was a patient at your institution for four days, from September 23rd to the 26th, Tuesday to Friday. My stay was an unparalleled experience in every regard. Let me explain why I call your hospital a treasure.
Five unique aspects that make it a treasure are the following. First is the splendid professional surgical work done by the surgeons. Second are the excellent services provided by the nurses. Third is the delicious food offered at the fine dining restaurant. Fourth are the efficient services provided by the administrative staff. Fifth is the historic building enveloped by the outstanding landscaping. Each of these pentagonal attributes needs to be backed by verifiable evidence.
1st
On the pre-op afternoon, Dr. Ellabib, the surgeon who was going to conduct the surgery asked a few incisive questions, examined the groin area, and pushed the intestinal loop up to see how serious the challenge was, and then reassured me, “Don’t worry. We will fix it up for you”.
On the operation day at 6:30 a.m., Dr. Ellabib greeted me at the door to the theatre with a comforting smile. The nurse, Mary Jean, made sure that I lay flat on my back at the centre of the table and spread eagled my arms on the arm rests. I wondered whether she was trained under the Ancient Roman soldiers in 36 CE. Dr. Moosavi, the anesthetist informed me that he was going to inject the sedative fluid and did so. The nurse cautioned me about placing a very cold pack upon my lower thigh and did so. I felt like the ice shock that I would have felt if I ever ventured into the cold winter swim in January. Just prior to descending into the depths of local anesthesia, I noticed Dr. Linkenhail and nurse Gaitri assisting Dr. Ellabib with some prep work.
When I became fully conscious in my bed (#1), room 322, I realized that the entire surgical procedure should have taken approximately 60 minutes. I experienced no pain, thanks to the anesthetic. Rooted in ignorance, I concluded confidently that the surgery must have been successful and relaxed. Often, ignorance and confidence are close companions. As it turned out, the nurse who came to check on me said in a quiet manner that I am doing well. The surgery team had done an excellent job.
The day after surgery, Dr. Ellabib checked the groin and on the following day Dr. Ross checked the groin. On the discharge day, the 26th, Dr. Simmons checked the groin and concluded that things were going well. He took the time to outline in detail the dos and don’ts of conduct during recovery at home. His calm disquisition was like a learned professor in a graduate seminar concerned about the welfare of the patient. I am following his instructions and the written guidelines by the hospital carefully.
2nd
For three days, 24th through 26th, the nurse team did their assignments perfectly. Checking upon me at regular intervals and doing the important duties were: Anita, Farkhonda, Kelly Namarwa, Luba, Nishu Gurung, and a couple of others whose names I do not recall. I apologize for the other nurses whose names are not mentioned here. They administered the medications, checked blood sugar levels, took blood pressure readings, and noted body temperature levels.
Anita and Farkhonda were the ones who skillfully removed the 6 clips (I think) each without causing any discomfort for me. Anita removed the powerful sticky tape across my upper abdomen very gently but I thought she was removing a thin layer of my skin to ensure cleanliness until I took a shower 7 days after the surgery – subscribing to the “no pain, no gain” school of thought. On the evening of the surgery, Luba pointed out the obvious to a dense patient: that lack of pain early in the evening was the effect of residual anesthetic and that I should take Tylenol and Toradol before the pain strikes with a vengeance later in the night. I obeyed, of course.
3rd
Good food is the foundation of a good life. Your Team Restaurant tried to match the expertise of surgeons and nurses in their field of specialty. Breakfast, lunch, dinner and snack at 9:00 p.m. matched the cuisines of some fine dining restaurants in Toronto. Drew, the principal chef, was always obliging when a few patients requested some minor consideration. I looked forward to the four delicacy events. The group of servers were like a well-disciplined platoon from a competent army. They worked the tables like clockwork and brought the different dishes in a perfectly timed sequence. The expression “hospital food or institutional food” did not apply to the delicious meals served.
4th
Supporting the above triangular pyramid of competencies is the solid foundation of administrative infrastructure. Your reputation caused the high demand for your help and resulted in some delay in securing an appointment for me. When the appointment was given by Ms Cheung, I requested her to see if she could arrange for an appointment earlier if there was a cancellation. I also left a voicemail message with the calendar office. Soon I got a response from Ms Fernandes and Ms Leonova advancing the appointment by two weeks. I was delighted.
Ms Aneesa Syeda from Accounting reminded me about the ECG and blood work test results. I filled out the form sent by Syeda. I went to the LifeLabs and got them done. Regrettably, when I registered on the 23rd the nurse there could not find the results. Sorry, I have forgotten her name. She informed your Lab. Your Lab contacted the LifeLabs of Sudbury Southend. The LifeLabs had difficulty faxing the blood work. Your Lab person immediately arranged for an on-site A1C test. I was relieved by the efficiency of your registration nurse and your Lab nurse.
5th
The tasteful upgrading of the heritage building is a good example of how to preserve the estate of George McCullagh, the founder of The Globe and Mail newspaper. The magnificent landscaping is the result of thoughtful painstaking effort. A gardener at Cambridge University when asked about how he keeps the carpet lawn so beautiful, he remarked, “We take care of it regularly. Give it 500 years and you will have one too”. Eighty years later your lawn is looking as good as the one in Cambridge. To me, it is not a well-maintained landscape but a splendid botanical garden. As you would know better than I would ever know, bipedal mammals recover rapidly when they commune with Mother Nature at its best.
Epilogue
Shouldice exemplifies the idea that excellence is commonplace. This unique profile is made possible by everyone who works there. Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (JEDI) are on display everywhere. The best index of that is the small declarative statement posted in an obscure location in the second-floor cafeteria space. It is my view that the statement should quietly be removed altogether because there is no need for it. Leave the preaching to those who do not practice. It is admirable that the sign for Shouldice at the entrance gate is small for a world-renowned institution instead of an outsized advertisement.
To adapt the famous words of the Vulcan, Mr. Spock, May You All Live Long and Prosper in Service to Humanity in Your Chosen Field.
Very sincerely yours,
a 2025 Shouldice Hospital Patient
Oct 24, 2025 | Blog
Why I Chose Shouldice Hospital?
After living with my hernia for 3 years. I decided to take matters into my own hands and have corrective surgery, which meant having to go private. When deciding who and where I was going to have it done, here at the NHS in England, I wasn’t even on a waiting list! I saw a private surgeon but wasn’t keen with the use of the controversial mesh.
After researching on the Internet, I discovered Shouldice and their alternative and superior technique. I filled in the questionnaire and within 5 weeks had an offer for an appointment I couldn’t refuse.
With the hernia being an inguinal groin hernia and in a very vulnerable area, the most important concern for me was having a surgeon who knew exactly what they were doing, who had the highest skill level.
And here at the Shouldice, that’s exactly what you get. Doing only hernia corrective surgery day in and day out, you can imagine the expertise they have, along with the pioneering technique they’ve done for a very long time now.
So I was more than happy to travel a considerable distance to Canada.
My Surgery Experience at Shouldice Hospital
As soon as I arrived at the Shouldice Hospital, I knew I had made the right choice. The main outside building is quite impressive, along with the surrounding grounds—very welcoming and calming.
I immediately felt that I was in the right place as soon as I entered the reception. 100% professional. Plenty of polite staff assisting you and getting you booked in and sorted straight away. Nothing was too much trouble.
This was on Monday, and after a quick medical check, financial matters, etc., then off to my room. A little while later, I got examined by my surgeon Dr. Simmons.
What I will say is going to the prep room the following day before surgery was very relaxing and calming. There were several other patients there at the same time. Everyone’s details were checked again to make sure of who was getting what done.
Big screen TV, comfortable recliner, warm water-filled rubber blanket, and I’m sure I heard classical music playing in the background! The next thing I remember is waking up in bed after surgery.
Within several hours, you’re encouraged to take part in your recovery by getting out of bed and walking around a little, which increases over the next several days, along with videos and daily rehabilitation exercises in the lounge.
There are no televisions in the bedrooms. You are in there to get away from that. The lounge areas are where you can go to relax away from your bed. Play pool, use exercise equipment, and watch TV—a place where you can enjoy the company of friends and family visitors.
There are meals downstairs in the dining room, which are not brought to you—only on the one occasion, the day of surgery. It’s not what you would find in your typical general hospital.
Neither was the high standard of the dining room and food. You have the opportunity to eat anything and everything you want. After my surgery, all I was thinking about was the high bran breakfast cereal and prune juice—and lots of it too.
My first bowel movement came after 3 days and thank god it went well. Since my surgery my bowel movements have been more regular, and I always was anyway.
There were lots of opportunities to interact and talk to other people from every part of the country. You are never alone at Shouldice and are in great company.
It’s all very personal and interactive. That’s the human touch!
Over the next several days, you are well looked after by the nursing staff, who are there 24/7 for all your needs. You’ll need some painkillers along with your recovery, so don’t be shy in asking for them.
The surgeons come round to check on you and discuss anything you may want to ask them. I didn’t have any complications or problems after surgery or during my time in the hospital, which is where my regular keeping-fit and healthy home regime came into play.
This is a very important factor in the recovery process. So you yourself, play a very big part in your healing.
My Discharge Experience at Shouldice Hospital
Then it was Friday, time for me to get my things together and check out.
As my flight back home wasn’t until much later that day, I stayed in the lounge area and also had my meals after vacating my room. They are in no rush to see you go and send you on your way.
You’re taken care of right to the last minute until my taxi to the airport arrived. I spent 5 days in the hospital, then travelled and flew back home.
In retrospect, I would have taken another week off in Canada and booked into a hotel for another week to rest up. I was lucky and got away with not overworking the surgery too soon.
9 Weeks After My Hernia Surgery at Shouldice Hospital
As for going back to work, if you have a physical-type job like I do, I would recommend at least 4 to 6 weeks off if possible. You’ve had hernia surgery! So take it easy and protect your investment in you and your health. So that has been a concern with me over the last couple of months, hoping that I hadn’t undone anything the Shouldice had done.
It’s about 9 weeks now after my surgery, and I must say I’m quite amazed at my recovery and how well it’s all gone. I’m still a bit nervous and numb down there, but it’s improving, getting less and less.
The first several weeks are uncomfortable, but then it gets easier. Everything is working the way it was before.
My surgeon, when he examined me, said that this type of surgery can damage the testicle on that side of the hernia. The other would compensate and that it wouldn’t affect your hormones, but it was very unlikely to happen here. He checked me on two occasions to make sure after surgery, which is why I wanted the best doing my hernia operation.
My Overall Thoughts About My Surgery at Shouldice Hospital
At the end of the day, everyone will be in agreement that any surgery of this nature is a tricky business as everyone is different. Nobody wants surgery, and it’s unfortunate that people get hernias.
But having said that, Shouldice made the whole experience as tolerable as possible. The standard establishments can be very clinical, confusing, and daunting. But with Shouldice, it’s all personal and the human touch, and I would recommend getting it done before it becomes an emergency.
I’ve come away with a very pleasant and memorable experience, especially with my surgery doing so well. I’m so glad I did my research and chose Shouldice. I put myself right into the best possible hands.
Finally, I would like to wish you and everyone there at Shouldice my very best.
Shouldice Hospital: the only constant in an ever-changing world. Excellent. 5 stars.
— By a 2025 Shouldice Hospital Patient
Fév 16, 2025 | Blog, Soins de la hernie, Symptômes de la hernie, Ressources pour les patients
The most common types of hernias develop within the abdominal wall which runs from the rib cage down to the groin. It is the strong wall of muscle and tissue that holds your organs (such as your stomach and intestines) inside the abdomen.
When tissues or organs bulge through a weakness in your abdominal wall, it is called a “hernia”. A hernia repair is simply reducing the content of the hernia sac (returning the protruding organs back into the abdominal cavity) and repairing the weakness in the abdominal wall.
There are many types of abdominal wall hernias and they are usually classified based on their anatomical location.
The most common hernias can be classified as follows:
Groin Hernias
The groin is the area just above the skin crease, where the upper leg meets the abdomen and up to a line from hip bone to hip bone. The lower area of the groin is the weakest part of the abdominal wall, and is the area where hernias most often develop.
There are two types of groin hernias:
Inguinal hernias appear in the groin or scrotum and are subdivided into direct (directly through the abdominal wall) and indirect (down the inguinal canal); and
Femoral hernias appear in the lower part of the groin or upper thigh.
Ventral Hernias
Ventral Hernias appear in the abdominal wall (usually above the groin area) and can occur through a previous operation’s incision site (incisional), around the navel (umbilical), above the navel (epigastric), or at any other weak muscle site (primary abdominal).
Fév 16, 2025 | Blog, Santé et bien-être, Soins de la hernie, Symptômes de la hernie, Ressources pour les patients
Nous savons qu'il peut être difficile de perdre du poids, surtout si votre hernie vous empêche de faire de l'exercice. Cependant, la gestion de votre poids aide à remettre votre corps en forme afin que vous obteniez les meilleurs résultats de votre opération. L'obtention d'un poids raisonnable contribue à la réussite de votre cure de hernie.
En cas de surpoids, la graisse s'accumule sur la paroi abdominale, ce qui rend plus difficile pour le chirurgien d'atteindre et de réparer la hernie. La graisse peut également s'accumuler dans les muscles. La graisse abdominale est très molle, comme du pudding ou de la gelée, et n'a aucune force. En s'accumulant, la graisse affaiblit les muscles abdominaux, ce qui rend la réparation de la hernie moins sûre et augmente les risques de complications. Le régime Shouldice vous aidera à préparer et à améliorer vos tissus musculaires afin de garantir les meilleures conditions possibles pour une réparation réussie.
Un changement de mode de vie important
Nous disposons de dizaines d'années d'expérience pour prouver que vous serez plus satisfait des résultats de votre cure de hernie si vous atteignez vos objectifs de perte de poids. En suivant notre régime spécial, vous pouvez améliorer la qualité de vos muscles et réduire le risque de complications.
Nous disposons d'une diététicienne agréée qui a l'habitude d'aider les gens à se préparer à leur opération de la hernie. Elle peut vous aider à faire des choix sains et vous suivra par téléphone pour vous encourager et surveiller vos progrès.
Beaucoup de nos patients ont tellement bénéficié de notre programme de perte de poids qu'ils se sont engagés à long terme à maintenir un poids plus sain. Remettre votre corps en forme pour votre cure de hernie peut être la motivation dont vous avez besoin pour améliorer votre mode de vie. Nous savons que vous pouvez le faire, et nous sommes toujours là pour vous aider si vous en avez besoin !
Si vous avez besoin d'aide pour perdre du poids avant votre opération, l'un de nos chirurgiens vous orientera vers nos services de conseils diététiques lors de votre examen initial ou vous pouvez les contacter directement au (905) 695-4914.
Fév 11, 2025 | Blog, Santé et bien-être, Soins de la hernie, Symptômes de la hernie
Hernias are quite common, particularly in men. Anyone can develop a hernia at any age. In fact, people are often surprised to learn that babies can actually be born with hernias.
A hernia may develop when there is a weak spot or opening in the wall of muscle and connective tissue that supports your abdomen. Once you have a weakness in your abdominal wall, anything that increases the pressure in your abdomen may push fat or part of an organ through the opening. When the tissues or organs inside your abdomen bulge through a weakness in your abdominal wall, it is called a hernia.
How are hernias repaired?
The type of hernia repair performed by your surgeon will depend on the size and location of the hernia, anaesthesia risk, strength of the surrounding tissue and the expertise of the Surgeon.
Hernias can be repaired in one of the following two ways:
1. Using your Natural Tissue without the use of surgical mesh.
These repairs are often called “anatomical” repairs as they use your own tissue to repair the hernia defect.
Natural tissue repairs are always performed using an “open anterior” surgical procedure which entails making an open incision over the hernia site, in contrast to laparoscopic procedures as outlined below.
Groin hernias make up over 80% of all abdominal wall hernias, and over the past 100 years, many natural tissue repairs have been developed with the Bassini, McVay and Shouldice methods being the most recognized. Although all these methods differ in their approach to reconstructing the abdominal wall, they are all similar in that they use the body’s natural tissue instead of mesh, and use permanent sutures to approximate the surrounding tissue around the hernia defect and repair the posterior wall of the inguinal canal.
Natural tissue repairs can be used to successfully repair virtually all direct and in-direct inguinal hernias and many ventral hernias. Mesh is most often required when the surrounding natural tissue is inadequate, or of poor quality, to allow for a strong anatomical repair – this is most often seen when repairing femoral, large incisional and recurrent hernias. Shouldice Hospital uses natural tissue repair whenever possible, or in over 98% of all its hernia cases.
Natural tissue repairs can safely be done using local and conscious IV sedation which avoids the complications of general anaesthesia.
2. Using Synthetic Mesh to either “patch” or “plug” the hernia defect instead of your natural tissue.
Hernia repair using mesh can be done by using either the “open anterior” surgical technique or using a Laparoscopic approach.
a) Open anterior mesh repairs use the same initial approach as natural tissue repairs, however, instead of suturing the fascial tissue and muscle layers together to repair the hernia defect, synthetic mesh is used. There are many types of mesh repair techniques but the most recognized is the Lichtenstein patch technique (75% of all cases), plus numerous others which includes Plugs, Plugs and Patches and other hybrid systems.
In the patch method (Lichtenstien) the hernia defect is overlaid with synthetic mesh which is then secured using either sutures or with a range of other methods including tacks, staples or glues.
In the plug method (Rutkow), a mesh plug is used to fill the hernia defect like a cork stoppering a bottle. The plug is then secured by a variety of methods.
In plug and patch systems, an overlay mesh patch is anchored over the plug. In other hybrid techniques an underlaid patch is added to the overlaid patch and plug to form a once piece plug with top and bottom mesh patches. The underlaid patch is “splayed” and left unsecured while the overlaid patch is anchored.
What is common in all these techniques is the anchoring of the mesh, which puts tension on the surrounding tissues, particularly over time as the mesh shrinks and hardens.
Some of these methods often claim they are not anchored (tension free, at least initially) but this in itself creates issues when the mesh moves or “migrates”. These are more fully outlined in the following section natural tissue vs. mesh in hernia repair.
b) Laparoscopic repairs are always performed under General Anaesthetic and always use mesh, as it is very difficult to do a true anatomical or natural tissue repair laparoscopically.
In this approach, three 1 cm punctures are made in the abdominal wall, one to allow a surgical scope to be inserted, along with two additional narrow tubes (trocars) to allow placement of the surgical instruments. The abdomen is inflated with carbon dioxide to create a positive pressure in the abdominal cavity that allows the bowel to fall away from the operative site, thus identifying the hernia. The hernia is then repaired by stapling, tacking or glueing a mesh patch over the defect from behind (“posterior”).
Do I need surgery to repair my hernia?
Hernias will not get better by themselves. If you have a hernia, you will probably need an operation to repair the weak spot in your abdominal wall at some point. A hernia that is not repaired can get bigger, and may lead to more serious health problems. In fact, 70 to 80% of patients that have been diagnosed with a hernia have surgery within 6 years due to the ongoing risk of complications and discomfort. This is particularly true for femoral hernias, which have a much higher risk of developing complications – surgery is recommended for all femoral hernias as soon as possible.
In some cases however, a hernia may be diagnosed but that does not mean it has to be repaired right away. For example, an ultrasound may identify a hernia at a very early stage, when it is still quite small. Your doctor may suggest a period of “watchful waiting” to see how the hernia develops. If it stays small and does not interfere with your health or quality of life, an operation may not be necessary. An experienced hernia surgeon will be able to make an accurate diagnosis, and recommend a treatment plan, in this type of situation.
Fév 11, 2025 | Blog, Santé et bien-être, Soins de la hernie, Ressources pour les patients
Over 80 years of clinical evidence clearly demonstrates that the Shouldice surgical procedure is exceptionally safe and the repair is secure and reliable. Our rate of infection, complications and recurrence is less than 0.5% for primary inguinal hernia repairs. This is the lowest recorded rate in the world. If you think you have a hernia, we offer a walk-in clinic for your convenience. We always recommend that you come to the clinic for an examination, if at all possible. Our hernia surgeons have years of specialized training and experience and are available during clinic hours to provide an expert diagnosis. Our walk-in clinic is available at no direct cost to our patients. If you live more than 1 hour (100 km/60 miles) away from Shouldice, you can submit a medical questionnaire for our surgeons to review. At Shouldice, we deliver a quality of care to hernia patients that cannot be found anywhere else in the world.
Are You Experiencing Hernia Pain?
The most common symptom of a hernia is a soft swelling or bulge under your skin. The type of hernia you have will determine where the bulge appears on your body. Some hernias can only be seen when you stand up and may disappear completely when you lie down. Others may only be visible when you strain your muscles by coughing, sneezing, bending or lifting. Usually, the bulge is soft enough that you can gently push it back into your abdomen and often is not there when you wake up in the morning.
Most hernias do not cause painful symptoms. Sometimes, the area around your hernia may be tender and you may feel some sharp twinges or a pulling sensation. As your hernia gets bigger, your pain and discomfort may increase. If it is not repaired, a hernia may eventually prevent you from enjoying normal activities, such as exercising, grocery shopping or having sex.
If you have a hernia, contact your doctor right away if:
- Your hernia becomes very painful
- Your hernia can‘t be pushed back into your abdomen
- And you feel sick to your stomach (nauseated) or vomit or have a fever
Types of Hernias
It‘s not always easy to diagnose a hernia. Every year, over 1,000 patients come to the Shouldice Hospital, convinced that they are experiencing hernia symptoms when, in fact, they really have a groin strain. Surgery may not be the right solution for these patients. If you think you might have a hernia, come to the Shouldice Hospital walk-in clinic for an examination. The highly specialized Shouldice surgical team diagnoses and treats thousands of hernias every year. They have the expertise to provide a proper diagnosis and may help you avoid an unnecessary operation.
Our hernia surgeons have experience repairing hernias and providing hernia treatment for:
- Inguinal Hernia
- Indirect Inguinal Hernia
- Direct Inguinal Hernia
- Femoral Hernia
- Epigastric Hernia
- Incisional Hernia
- Umbilical Hernia
- Hernia Treatment
The Shouldice repair is internationally recognized as one of the safest and most effective techniques for repairing hernias. When performed by a specially trained and well-experienced Shouldice hernia surgeon, this pure, natural tissue repair virtually eliminates complications or repeat hernias (recurrences). The Shouldice repair combines a proven surgical technique with the powerful benefits of the body‘s own natural healing ability. This results in a secure, reliable repair and a rapid, comfortable recovery for our patients. For over 70 years, our hernia surgeons have maintained a success rate of 99.5% on primary inguinal hernias– an accomplishment that sets us apart from any other medical facility.
Natural Tissue Repair vs. Mesh Repair
The Shouldice repair combines a proven surgical technique with the powerful benefits of the body‘s own natural healing ability. Our hernia surgeons overlap each layer of the abdominal wall, using a technique that puts no tension on the natural tissue. By overlapping these layers of muscle and tissue, we are able to strengthen and reinforce the weak spot where the hernia developed. Natural tissue repair results in secure, reliable repair and a rapid, comfortable recovery for our patients. Almost all 95% of the operations at Shouldice are conducted using only a local anesthetic, a light (sedative) and a pain pill (analgesic). Additional medication is provided when necessary. This reduces the risk of complications, shortens recovery time and helps make the experience more comfortable.
Experienced Hernia Surgeons
Every surgeon on the Shouldice team focuses their professional time, training and expertise on the successful lifelong repair of external abdominal wall hernias. On average, Shouldice surgeons perform up to 700 hernia operations a year, giving them the experience and skills to expertly manage even the most complex hernia repair. In total, the Shouldice surgical team has performed well over 450,000 hernia operations to date. When it comes to successful hernia surgery, there is simply no substitute for experience.
FR 
EN