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Hernia Surgeon Near Me — Brisbane
If you have been told you have a hernia and you are searching for a hernia surgeon near you in Brisbane, Dr Goutham Sivasuthan is a FRACS-qualified general and endoscopic surgeon who repairs inguinal (groin), femoral, umbilical, incisional and recurrent hernias at three Brisbane hospitals — St Andrew’s War Memorial (Spring Hill), Sunnybank Private Hospital and Mater Private Hospital Redland. Consultations are available in Spring Hill, Cleveland and Springwood, and most insured patients are seen on a no-gap basis.
Brisbane-wide hernia care under one practice
Dr Goutham trained in Brisbane (UQ MBBS, FRACS — Royal Australasian College of Surgeons) and consults and operates across Brisbane city, the inner suburbs, the Logan corridor, the Redlands and the Moreton Bay region. His hernia practice focuses on the five types most patients need repaired: groin (inguinal and femoral), abdominal-wall (umbilical and incisional/ventral) and recurrent hernias where a previous repair has failed.
Important: Dr Goutham does not perform hiatal (paraoesophageal) hernia or parastomal hernia repairs. For those, your GP can refer you to an upper-GI or colorectal sub-specialist.
Where Dr Goutham consults and operates
Dr Goutham’s three operating hospitals span Brisbane city, the southside and the Bayside — most patients can reach at least one within 30 minutes.
| Hospital | Where | What Dr Goutham does there |
|---|---|---|
| St Andrew’s War Memorial Hospital | 457 Wickham Tce, Spring Hill | Hernia operating, colonoscopy & endoscopy |
| Sunnybank Private Hospital | 245 McCullough St, Sunnybank | Hernia operating, colonoscopy & endoscopy |
| Mater Private Hospital Redland | 16 Weippin St, Cleveland | Consulting, hernia operating, colonoscopy & endoscopy |
Hernia types Dr Goutham repairs from Brisbane
Dr Goutham repairs the five hernia types that account for almost all general-surgical hernia work in Australia.
- Inguinal (groin) hernia — the most common type, more frequent in men. Repaired open or by laparoscopic (keyhole) technique with mesh in most adults.
- Femoral hernia — sits just below the groin crease, more common in women, with a higher risk of becoming stuck (incarcerated). Usually warrants prompt repair.
- Umbilical hernia — a bulge at or near the belly button, common after pregnancy or with weight gain.
- Incisional (abdominal-wall) hernia — develops through an old surgical scar. Usually repaired with mesh; complex cases may need component separation.
- Recurrent hernia — a hernia that has come back after a previous repair. Often requires a different surgical plane and a careful imaging assessment first.
For a full overview of how each type is assessed and repaired, see Dr Goutham’s Hernia Surgery Brisbane page.
Open vs keyhole (laparoscopic) hernia repair
Most modern adult hernia repairs in Australia use mesh — either through an open incision over the hernia or through keyhole (laparoscopic) ports. Each has trade-offs, and the right choice depends on hernia type, size, whether it is bilateral or recurrent, prior abdominal surgery, your work and recovery goals, and your overall health.
As a FRACS general surgeon with subspecialty endoscopic experience, Dr Goutham assesses both options at consultation and explains the recurrence rates, recovery time, mesh choice, and anaesthetic plan in plain English. Robotic-assisted repair is offered in select cases — ask at consultation.
Cost & KNOWN-gap for Brisbane patients
If you hold private hospital cover that includes hernia repair (most Bronze, Silver and Gold policies do — check waiting periods), Dr Goutham operates on a known-gap basis with the major Australian health funds for the surgeon’s fee for most hernias. You should still expect to pay your hospital excess (set by your fund), and separate accounts may arrive from the anaesthetist and pathology.
If you are uninsured, a self-funded fee quote can be provided at consultation. See the hernia surgery costs page for a transparent breakdown.
What to expect — from consultation to recovery
Most hernia repairs in Brisbane are done as day surgery, meaning you go home the same day. After examination and any imaging, Dr Goutham talks through the proposed approach, recovery, return-to-work and lifting timelines, and the small but real risks of any hernia operation (bleeding, infection, mesh-related pain, recurrence).
A detailed week-by-week recovery guide is on the dedicated What to expect after hernia surgery page.
For GPs across Brisbane
GPs referring a patient for a hernia opinion can send referrals to [email protected] or by phone on (07) 3333 5518. Suspected strangulated or incarcerated hernias should not wait for an outpatient appointment — please call directly or refer to the nearest emergency department.
FAQ — hernia surgery in Brisbane
Who is the best hernia surgeon near me in Brisbane?
“Best” is a personal judgement, but the markers patients look for are: FRACS qualification, dedicated hernia experience, transparent no-gap status, and an established Brisbane operating footprint. Dr Goutham is FRACS, repairs inguinal/femoral/umbilical/incisional/recurrent hernias, and operates at St Andrew’s, Sunnybank Private and Mater Private Redland.
Do I need a GP referral?
Yes. To claim Medicare and private-fund benefits for a specialist consultation in Australia you need a current GP referral. A standard referral lasts 12 months; an indefinite referral lasts the life of the condition.
How quickly can I be seen in Brisbane?
Most non-urgent hernia consultations are offered within two weeks. Tell our team if your hernia is painful, growing rapidly, or you’ve had an episode where it would not push back in — these are red flags that bring you forward.
Is hernia repair covered by Medicare and private health insurance?
Yes. Hernia repair is a Medicare item-numbered procedure. Private health funds with hospital cover at Bronze tier or above generally cover hernia surgery once waiting periods are served. Dr Goutham is a no-gap provider with the major Australian funds for the surgeon’s fee.
Does Dr Goutham repair every type of hernia?
Dr Goutham repairs inguinal (groin), femoral, umbilical, incisional/ventral and recurrent hernias. He does not repair hiatal (paraoesophageal) hernias or parastomal hernias — those need an upper-GI or colorectal sub-specialist, and your GP can re-direct the referral.
Book a hernia consultation
To request an appointment, call (07) 3333 5518, email [email protected], or use the form on the contact page. Please have your GP referral ready when you call. Read more about Dr Goutham on the about page.
Make an enquiry
If you’d prefer to enquire online, fill in the form below and one of our team will contact you to arrange a booking. Have your GP referral ready if available.
Related pages: Hernia surgery Brisbane · Hernia surgery costs · What to expect after hernia surgery · Inguinal hernia · Femoral hernia · Umbilical hernia · Incisional hernia · Recurrent hernia · Dr Goutham Sivasuthan · Contact
Reviewed by Dr Goutham Sivasuthan, MBBS (UQ), FRACS — Brisbane general and endoscopic surgeon. Page drafted 2026-05-30.