Lena CaldwellWhen my father required hernia surgery last year, I learned very quickly that choosing the right surgeon (general surgeon charlotte) is more than just scanning a list of names. While browsing the list of candidates recommended by his healthcare company, I suddenly became a picky person.
I mean, who wouldn’t be, if it meant the betterment of your loved one, right? So, with the help of my team, we narrowed down the list of the best doctors to trust with hernia surgery in Charlotte.
If you’re on the same boat and want someone you can trust, skill, personality, and experience-wise, we’ve got you covered! Continue reading to discover our top prospects!
What is the average cost of a hernia surgery in Charlotte?
The average cost of hernia surgery in Charlotte ranges from $3,900 to $11,000 or more, depending on the approach, the surgeon’s experience, and the extent of health insurance coverage.
1. Vedra A. Augenstein, MD, FACS – Atrium Health
Services: Robotic surgery, minimally invasive surgery, hernia surgery
Location: 1025 Morehead Medical Dr Suite 300
Contact: +1 704-355-1813
Business hours: Monday to Friday: 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM
When we saw that Dr Vedra A. Augenstein was affiliated with Atrium Health, we knew we had to include her in our review.
For starters, the hospital is known for offering complex surgical care, demonstrated by its state-of-the-art equipment. Access to these modern technologies allows Dr. Augenstein to perform robotic and minimally invasive surgeries.
We also spoke to her previous patients, who shared that their scars were hardly noticeable and quickly recovered after the procedure. They also praised the doctor for her masterful and precise incisions that made the surgery less painful.
Our interviewees also shared their fondness for the doctor’s reassuring bedside manner. They shared how she took the time to patiently explain the procedure to help them know what to expect and to alleviate any skepticism and stress.
After discovering this, we understood why she doesn’t offer virtual consultations before surgeries. However, we still understand why some people might prefer to inquire remotely for convenience.
Showed compassion
“My quality of life was awful due to a very large hernia from a previous surgery by another doctor. I had three other doctors tell me they wanted my BMI to be below 30, and scheduled another opinion with Dr Augenstein.
Dr Augenstein showed compassion and gently guided me through the process of correcting it. It has been 6 months since surgery, and my life has been forever changed.
I have had more than a dozen abdominal surgeries, and this surgery was the easiest recovery, and healing was pretty quick. Dr Augenstein is a great surgeon! Highly recommend.”
Susan Waterbury, Google Review
Makes you feel listened to
“Dr. Augenstein is amazing!! She did a risky revision/repair hernia surgery on my husband and she did an excellent job. She is friendly, professional, and makes you feel listened to.
She found and repaired multiple hernias that had been missed by a prior surgeon. She is highly recommended!”
Heather Hawkins, Google Review
2. Carl Lowe Jr., MD – Novant Health
Services: Bariatric surgery, general surgery, robotic/minimally invasive surgery, hernia surgery
Location: 2104 Randolph Rd
Contact: +1 704-377-3900
Business hours: Monday to Friday: 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM
Even though we were a bit disappointed with the lack of feedback availability for Dr Carl Lowe Jr., we couldn’t exclude him due to his impressive track record. As limited as the testimonials were available online, we were impressed at how fond they were of their experience with the doctor.
We also reached out to his previous patients, most of whom shared that the reason they chose Dr Lowe Jr. for their hernia surgery was his bedside manner.
They told us how they felt genuinely cared for by the doctor by offering a patient-centred approach, and even walked them through the entire procedure to help calm their nerves.
We wanted to include Dr Lowe Jr. because he’s affiliated with a world-class health system, Novant Health Carolina Surgical. This means that he has access to medical facilities and tech, including robotics, to help assist in his hernia surgeries.
The result of his works never failed to impress patients as well. We’ve had multiple respondents share that the scars left on their bodies weren’t as big as they expected.
Shows genuine concern
“Dr. Lowe is a wonderful doctor who shows genuine concern for his patients. I found him to be pleasant and more than willing to answer any questions of concern.
He instilled confidence in me to select him as the surgeon for my hernia repair. My surgery went well, and I couldn’t be happier. Thank you, Dr. Lowe.”
William Reardon, Google Review
Saved my life
“Dr Lowe is a godsend. He saved my life, and I will forever be grateful. Dr Lowe has a great bedside manner, and he put me first.
He is a gentle and kind soul. He’s very professional and takes his time explaining everything, and makes sure you completely understand before leaving his office. Dr Lowe has the best intentions, and he truly cares for his patients.
His only goal is to help you become a healthier version. Dr Lowe performed two surgeries: Bariatric Sleeve & Hernia Repair with Mesh. I had zero complications and felt better fairly quickly. Dr Lowe is an amazing surgeon! I highly recommend him!!!”
Jeannette Burgos-Nieves, Google Review
3. Kristin Wagner, MD – Surgical Specialists of Charlotte
Services: Hernia, adrenal tumors, thyroid surgeries
Location: 1918 Randolph Rd STE 300
Contact: +1 704-333-0741
Dr Kristin Wagner was one of the most recommended hernia surgeons in Charlotte by our respondents. For starters, they trusted her because of her exceptional experience, having been in practice for over 29 years and completing subspecialized endocrine training.
We also reached out to her previous patients, who shared their appreciation for the doctor’s excellent communication skills. They added that Dr. Wagner took the time to provide clear explanations of her diagnoses and procedures.
Dr Wagner was also praised for her patient-centric approach, stating that she’s always attentive and provides thorough care during every consultation. She even sends emails and messages to regularly check up on her hernia patients post-op.
We wanted to include Dr Wagner because of her affiliations with multiple reliable medical facilities in Charlotte, including Novant Health and Atrium Health. This grants her all the resources she needs for her hernia and other surgical care services.
The only downside is that she’s often fully booked because of the high demand for her services.
My comfort was very important to her
“Dr Wagner is the absolute best. Very thorough when we met pre-surgery and explained everything in detail. She has a very calm, confident demeanor, and it really is comforting. I had some issues post-surgery, and never did I imagine a doctor being so attentive.
She texts my husband or me every day to see how I am doing. My comfort was very important to her. Her nurse, Karen, is just as wonderful. So happy this is where I landed for my surgery. Cannot thank them enough.”
Julie White, Google Review
Incredibly compassionate
“Dr. Wagner is highly knowledgeable and also incredibly compassionate. She took the time to listen to my concerns, explained the procedure thoroughly, and discussed recovery options in a way that was easy to understand.
Throughout my consultation, Dr. Wagner’s professionalism and dedication were evident, and I felt confident in her expertise. The staff at the clinic were also friendly and efficient. Overall, I highly recommend Dr. Wagner to anyone seeking top-notch surgical care.”
Shannon Talbert, Google Review
4. Paul D. Colavita, MD – Atrium Health
Services: Endoluminal surgery, gastrointestinal and minimally invasive surgery, surgical endoscopy
Location: 1025 Morehead Medical Dr Suite 300
Contact: +1 704-355-1813
Business hours: Monday to Friday: 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM
We wanted to include Dr. Paul Colavita because of his specialized expertise in hernia surgery, as well as other non-cancerous esophagus and stomach diseases.
His frequent performance of these surgeries allowed him to gain access to advanced techniques, make better decisions, and make accurate diagnoses, etc.
Even previous patients of his told us during our interviews that they felt confident in his hands because he patiently explained the procedures like they were five. It also helped that his bedside manner was extremely comforting and reassuring.
Most of our interviewees were kind to show us photos of their post-op scars, and they were barely noticeable, which is a testament to the doctor’s masterful incision.
It also helps that Dr. Colavita is affiliated with Atrium Health, where he has all the latest and best resources, including robotics.
We only wish that the doctor could add virtual or telehealth consultation to his list of services to help patients save money on transportation and improve overall convenience.
Excellent care
“I was referred to Dr. Paul Colivita by my primary dr. and my gastroenterologist in 2024. I have an enlarged Hiatal Hernia, and he evaluated my situation, and a decision was made to hold off surgery at that time due to other health issues I was experiencing and also my age (82).
I am a long-term patient taking blood thinners and have had a bleeding event in my stomach. Dr. Colivita has kept a close watch on my situation with close check-ups and being in contact with my other doctors.
I trust Dr. Colivita, and I can honestly say that I think he is one of the most experienced, professional, caring surgeons in N.C. In my opinion, he is top-notch in his field. He has the utmost concern that his patient gets the best treatment and procedures for their medical issues.
He takes excellent care of his patients. I would highly recommend him to anyone needing an excellent, highly trained, and caring physician. I think he is the best of the best in his field. So glad I was sent to him and his team.”
Brenda Guthrie, Google Review
Above and beyond
“Dr. Colavita was exceptional at taking care of my family member, who had a very unique problem. His attention to communication and to her care was above and beyond the call of duty. As a retired RN, I have a special appreciation for excellent healthcare. Thank you, Dr. Colavita!”
Cindy Tucker, Google Review
5. Nicholas Langan, MD, FACS – Surgical Specialists of Charlotte
Services: Abdominal wall repair, robotic surgery, hernia surgery
Location: 10512 Park Rd # 101
Contact: +1 704-542-3631
Our respondents recommended Dr. Nicholas Langan because of his expertise in hernia procedures. His most frequent procedures include laparoscopic inguinal hernia repairs, which makes him one of the most trusted doctors in this field.
Furthermore, previous patients shared how impressed they were with the breadth of the doctor’s surgical skill set. For instance, he offers robotic surgery, which allows for less pain and faster recovery, beyond his laparoscopic procedures.
We also discovered during our interviews that Dr. Langan provides a patient-centric approach. His patients told us that he listens well and does a great job of explaining complex medical terms, diagnoses, and surgical procedures clearly and patiently.
Also, my team and I wanted to include Dr. Langan because of his affiliation with several major hospitals, most notably Novant Health Mint Hill Medical Center, to ensure that his patients get the best treatments possible. These include
With his decorated career, however, we think that the amount of feedback available to the public is still limited to our liking.
Made me feel completely at ease
“I had a superumbilical hernia repair performed by Dr. Nicholas Langan, and I couldn’t be happier with the experience and results. He was incredibly calming and made me feel completely at ease, even with my anxiety.
He took the time to thoroughly explain each step of the procedure, ensuring I was fully informed and comfortable throughout. The surgery went perfectly, my healing process was smooth, and the minimal scarring exceeded my expectations a ton!
I’m extremely happy with the outcome and highly recommend him to anyone in need of care! Thank you, Dr. Langan, for your exceptional work and care!”
Dashayla Capell, Google Review
Professional, knowledgeable, and caring
“I would highly recommend Dr. Langan and the Pineville surgical team! From doctor to staff, the whole team was professional, knowledgeable, and caring.
I do not normally leave reviews, but this was an exceptional experience. After years of symptoms and pain, I elected to have both my gallbladder and appendix removed laparoscopically.
I met with Dr. Langan, who explained my condition, options, and treatment plan. I had the procedure at Pineville Hospital and went home the same day.
During my home recovery, I had questions and concerns, and his office was A++ in helping me with them. I hope I don’t need a surgeon again anytime soon, but when I do, I will call Dr. Langan’s office first.”
Grace Stewart, Google Review
