No-Mesh Umbilical Hernia Repair in Fort Myers, FL
Desarda Hernia Center of the United States®
Umbilical or Belly Button Hernias Repaired with No Mesh
No-Mesh Hernia Surgery in Florida
Schedule Your Appointment to Learn About No-Mesh Umbilical Hernia Surgery in Florida
A trip to our Florida-based practice can save you from the pain associated with mesh-related complications. If you suffer from an umbilical hernia, contact us online or call us at 1-888-884-0019 for a free consultation. We offer an incredible discount if you schedule your initial appointment online. Don’t go anywhere else, because we are the only certified center in the United States endorsed by Dr. Mohan Desarda.
IF YOU HAVE A HERNIA – CONTACT US FOR A CONSULTATION.
CALL TODAY FOR A FREE CONSULTATION
Robert Tomas, D.O., FACOS
Board Certified General Surgeon
AAAASF Certified Surgical Center
Fort Myers, Florida
Can You Repair a Hernia Without Mesh?
The Answer: Desarda
If you struggle with an umbilical or belly button hernia, our Florida-based practice could give you your best chance at successful hernia treatment. U First Health & Rejuvenation, also known as Desarda Hernia Center of the United States®, is the only place in the U.S. where you can receive the best-kept secret in umbilical hernia surgery — the “Tomas Technique”.
Since 2009, our hernia specialists, Dr. Robert Tomas, have performed more than 2,000 umbilical hernia repairs without mesh. Learn how no-mesh navel hernia repair is an excellent alternative to standard hernia surgeries.
Ken N Hello… Would like to give a raving review on the U-First. From the home feeling and the smiles. To the professionalism of all at U-First. I traveled to Florida from Wisconsin with a fairly large umbilical hernia, had surgery on Friday and feeling really well by the next Tuesday. Came to Florida, hired their recommended caregiver Pam Berkmeirer “who was great” I would not hesitate again if I had another issue with a hernia again to use U-First. U-First, Dr. Tomas and all the staff “I say Thank You” for bringing such a great service and value to those who enter your doors.. Also Thank you to the Marriot Bonvoy for a great stay during my surgery. Thank You Ken Raymond Bazant Only doctor I could find to do recurring double hernia surgery. I had a very bad hernia on my right side too. Didn't feel like I was under anesthesia. Surgery took 1 hour and recovery 30 minutes. Recovery was fast, wasn't over anesthetized and no pain afterwards. That came later but not much more than tightness. Pain pills given did the trick. I recommend Dr Tomas at U First Health, you really put people first. 07/17/2024 Update: Hernia repair still going strong as ever! Thought people might be wondering. I am doing stomach strengthening exercises since I'm 71 now. Very happy with long term results! Thanks to the doctor and staff there. No mesh is the way to go. https://youtu.be/qdsYgSby62Q?si=I6LufVFuGdaQmm2K Scott Burger I flew in from Houston Texas for Dr Tomas to do a repair of my completely blown out belly button. I was an iron worker for 20 years and many of my employees had mesh hernia repair done with little to no luck. The minute I met Dr Tomas and his staff I knew this was the right place to get the repair I needed. The staff was great and made me feel at ease. Dr Tomas made this a relatively pain free ordeal. The man is a true artist of his trade. My wife and I are in awe at how nice my stomachs looks. Dr Tomas has nurses available for your care if you travel alone. My caregiver Rosette was the best I have ever had. She provided the next level care that is hard to find. Thank you to Dr Tomas and his entire team. God bless! Scott Burger David Carroll After losing 120 pounds from GLP weight loss peptides, my hernias worsened and were extremely painful. I reached out to U First to investigate repair. The calls and email responses from Alina were so helpful, so informative, and quick. I couldn't be happier with my interaction with Alina. I arrived at my appointment informed and confident I had made the right choice. Dr. Tomas was quick to diagnose the issue and explain the entire repair process, differentiating stitches that dissolve and those that do not. Dr. Tomas put me at ease and relieved my fears about surgery. His PA / assistant took every possible measure to ensure I knew what was about to happen and investigate all of my concerns. Best team ever! I had surgery one morning, and a post-op checkup the next day. Pain is manageable and minimal, given medications. Overall, the staff here couldn't be any nicer, any kinder. The treatment in the clinic was so different than how I am treated at clinics up North. (Now I want to move to Florida...) 100% recommend this clinic for hernia repair. Robin Hood I had double hernia surgery at the Colonial Out Patient Surgery Center which is connected to U First Health and Rejuvenation Center in Fort Myers, Fla., on May 14, 2024. It has been 5 weeks and one day since my surgery. I went to Dr. Tomas because of his vast experince with the Desarda Technique which uses no mesh. If I had opted for mesh, I would have had a 15% chance of having problems (infection, chronic pain, mesh migration, adhesions, recurrence, rejection, seromas, and issues with future surgeries). As I would have had two mesh placements each with a 15% chance of problems, the total probability now increased to 27.75%. This was a risk I was unwilling to take. The surgery was uneventful and successful. My scars healed quickly and I am now back to work as a chiropractic physician. Best of all, NO MESH, NO HERNIA!! All the people at the UFHRC were kind, caring, helpful, and very professional. My special thanks to Dr. Robert Tomas, Alina Tomas, Dr. Esteban, all other physicians and nurses. If you want NO MESH hernia correction from surgeons who are highly experienced in no mesh hernia repair, this is the place. My rating is AAA+++ Sincerely, Robin P Hood, DC, PA Jonathan Appell I rarely leave reviews, but I have been meaning to followup regarding my inguinal hernia surgery. It's now been about 11 months since my surgery. After doing all the research and trying to heal this myself, this was impossible, and also almost getting the toxic mesh that your body will likely reject, and nearly half these surgeries fail or have a life time of pain legacy...... this was one of the wisest decisions that I have ever made in my adult life! Thank you thank you thank you Dr Tomas and your amazing staff!!! It took a bit longer then I had hoped to fully heal, but it's worth every minute. I had a really bad hernia, 100% caused by lifting at a bad angle, in too cold weather, when I was getting over a bad cough and it happened in a flash. Nearly one year later, I am 62 years old, strong and otherwise in great health, I now feel like I'm 40. I can out work anyone of any age and I work outdoors and do plenty of heavy lifting. All I can say for those that buy the fast talk and the typical modern medicine double talk, good luck with the mesh...... You will regret that later. Have faith in Dr Tomas. Thank you for being a True Healer and doing what Doctors are meant to do, you're an outlier, I in a 1000. and what ever awards they give out in medicine, you should win them. May the force be with you. Paul Seymour I flew from Colorado to get my hernia procedure and boy am I glad I did. The service, communication and friendliness were all incredible. EASY is a word to describe working with them. As for the surgery Dr. Tomas was there, available and very interested in my care throughout the process. Such a great experience I would definitely recommend them. And I have no mesh to worry about. Garr R Very happy with the staff, the process and the results Joni Uptegrove I wanted to wait before writing a review to make sure that I didn't ever have any issues. I had my surgery in May of 2021 and it was a truly wonderful experience. The entire staff was so kind and knowledgeable, from the very beginning to the very end. I did a ton of research about mesh beforehand and ultimately decided that mesh was not the way to go for me personally. Here are the things that I think helped my surgery go smoothly. I had a very small (10mm) umbilical hernia as well as diastasis recti (which caused the hernia I'm sure). Prior to surgery I did an ab rehab program that helped heal my diastasis almost completely. It's a 12 week program (by Nancy Anderson), I got through 7 weeks before my surgery date. I think it helped strengthen my abs so much which helped with recovery. I did a lot of walking and didn't wear the binder for very long. My angel of a mom went with me so I had someone to help me navigate the airport, help me get around, remember my pain meds etc. Nearly 3 years later I have a tiny scar but have had absolutely zero issues. It's like it never even happened! I've been in various states of active since then from super active mountain hunting to couch slug lol and no problems whatsoever. I turned it in to my insurance and they did partially reimburse it. Follow their recovery instructions, try to strengthen your core before and after your surgery, and take care of your body with good nutrition and hydration and I think you'll be very glad you went mesh-free with Dr. Tomas!! Erik Mateo I wanted to share my experience because going over the reviews and information about u first was very helpful in making a decision. I had hernia surgery July of 2022 and the whole experience was 10 of 10 from staff to doctors. Iam a very active person and was scared of not living that lifestyle after finding out I had a hernia but Iam happy say that Iam back to 100% and feeling great. Make sure to listen to what the staff and doctors say for recovery and give yourself time to heal ( one step at a time) everything will be ok. Hope this helps make someone feel a bit more at ease knowing I know exactly what your going through.
What Are Umbilical Hernias?
Umbilical hernias happen near your navel or belly button. There is a naturally occurring weakness in this area’s abdominal muscles at the site of the umbilical cord. Umbilical hernias mostly occur in infants just after birth and are typically harmless, usually resolving by age 3 or 4.
However, the area of abdominal weakness can continue throughout childhood and into adulthood, putting women, men and children at risk of an umbilical hernia. Large umbilical hernias usually require surgery to repair as they may worsen with time.
Causes of Umbilical Hernias
During gestation, both the male and female umbilical cord passes through a small opening in a baby’s abdominal muscles. Although this usually closes after birth, sometimes the muscles don’t fully join together and can lead to a belly button hernia. In adults, too much pressure can contribute to umbilical hernias. This added pressure could stem from:-
- Weight gain
- Excessive coughing
- Pregnancy
- Unrelated conditions impacting the abdomen
What Is Umbilical Hernia Repair?
An umbilical hernia repair surgery typically involves your surgeon making a small incision at the base of the belly button and pushing the fatty tissue or bulge back into its proper place. Traditional hernia repair uses surgical mesh to strengthen the weakened spot in the abdominal wall as well as sutures. However, mesh is a foreign body with a long history of defects. This puts patients at high risk of hernia recurrence and other complications.
What Is the Tomas Technique for Umbilical Hernia Repair Without Mesh?
The “Tomas Technique” method allows Dr. Tomas to repair your umbilical hernia without mesh and its associated risks.
The “Tomas technique” uses a three-layer closure to create a strong alternative to surgical mesh. This more natural umbilical hernia repair technique closes the hole in the abdominal wall, allowing the tissue above and below this weakened area to be strengthened. Dr. Tomas uses the “TomasPatent” technique, which includes several rows of non-absorbable sutures to strengthen the umbilical defect as well as the native tissue above and below the defect. Please click on “Tomas Technique” to see our newly obtained patent.
In rare cases, much larger, cantaloupe-sized hernias may require a biological mesh under the weakened abdominal wall. However, over 90% of the umbilical hernia repairs we perform at our Florida practice are completely free of mesh.

How Does It Work?
The Tomas procedure uses your own tissue by bringing together the rectus muscles to strengthen the midline. When you have an umbilical hernia, the intestine pushes through the abdominal muscles that are supposed to cover it. Most belly button hernia operations use surgical mesh and sutures to cover this hole and strengthen the weakened abdominal wall.
During a Triple layered Tomas repair, Dr. Tomas uses your abdominal muscles and sutures to cover and strengthen the defect, adding dynamic protection for the exposed organ.
What Is the Process of Getting Belly Button Hernia Surgery?
The team at U First Health walks you through the umbilical hernia repair process — before, during and after.
During your free consultation with Dr. Tomas, he will discuss whether you’re a good candidate for this surgical technique. Our team can also walk you through the cost and help you find accommodations in Fort Myers if you are coming from out of town.
Dr. Tomas performs the actual procedure under local with intravenous sedation or general anesthesia, depending on your health profile and individual preferences. A few days after your umbilical hernia repair, Dr. Robert Tomas will check the incision site and monitor your progress. Out-of-town patients are welcome to return home following this checkup. You should be able to go back to a desk job in a week after your procedure.
We are the best kept secret in hernia surgery. Make your reservation now and get a special internet rate.

Who We Are
U First Health & Rejuvenation is also the Desarda Hernia Center of the United States®. Our Florida practice is the only location in the U.S. performing the no-mesh Desarda hernia repair technique. We have served thousands of patients from different states and countries worldwide, delivering incredible outcomes with few risks of postoperative complications.
What Are the Benefits of No-Mesh Umbilical Hernia Repair Over Other Techniques?
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No harmful mesh
- The Tomas patented hernia repair offers the following benefits as an alternative to hernia mesh surgery:
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Rare use of mesh
- Plastic surgical mesh can have unpredictable side effects, including pain, infection, rejection, migration and hernia recurrence. In rare cases, we opt for a biological mesh called AlloDerm® that your body will not react to and has an extremely low risk of infection. This biologic mesh is only used in very large hernias where the recurrence may be higher because the fascial tissue is weakened.
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Moderate tension
- While there are other mesh-free umbilical hernia repair surgeries, the non-absorbable sutures used can bring together the rectus muscles and strengthen the midline where the defect has developed. The “Tomas Technique” uses non-absorbable sutures to strengthen the native tissue above and below the defect which lowers your recurrence rate as well.
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Low recurrence rate
- The “Tomas Technique” dramatically lowers the risk of recurrence. Out of 2,000 umbilical surgeries performed at the Desarda Hernia Center of the United States®, less than 5% of our patients have experienced a recurrence.
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Flat fee
- Instead of worrying whether your insurance will cover your no-mesh umbilical hernia repair, we offer flat-rate pricing.
About Dr. Robert Tomas
Robert E Tomas, D.O., FACOS, is Board Certified in General Surgery. He performs no mesh inguinal and umbilical hernia surgery using the Desarda Technique for inguinal hernia repairs and his patented no mesh technique for umbilical/ventral hernia repairs. He was recently sponsored by Dr. Mohan Desarda as the Desarda Hernia Center of the United States®. Dr. Tomas has mastered the Desarda technique for inguinal hernia repairs and has performed over 4000 no mesh inguinal hernia surgeries since 2009. Many of his videos can be seen online on YouTube and have been reviewed by Dr. Desarda himself for the accuracy of the technique. Our hernia center receives patients from all over the world for repairs of their inguinal hernias using the Desarda No Mesh Tension Free Repair. Dr. Tomas also performs abdominal cosmetic surgery in Fort Myers, Florida.
Our board-certified hernia repair specialists, Robert E. Tomas, D.O., FACOS has been recognized by Dr. Mohan Desarda as the only providers of the Desarda method in the country,
Dr. Tomas has over 10 years of experience performing belly button hernia repairs in Florida. He also has more than two decades of general surgery expertise. Dr. Tomas is proud to bring relief and exceptional care to patients from all over Florida, the United States and abroad.
2. Welty G, Klinge U, Klosterhalfen B, Kasperk R, Schumpelick V. Functional impairment and complaints following incisional hernia repair with different polypropylene meshes. Hernia. 2001;5:142-147.
3. Harrell AG, Novitsky YW, Cristiano JA, et al. Prospective histologic evaluation of intra-abdominal prosthetics four months after implantation in a rabbit model. Surg Endosc. 2007;21:1170-1174.
Desarda Hernia Center, USA will now have two surgical days a week for your convenience. Our surgical center is a self pay center and does not accept insurance reimbursements.
Traveling from out of town?
Book your corporate rate for U First Health and Surgery Center
at the SpringHill Suites Fort Myers Airport