During National Hernia Awareness Month, local man shares his journey to recovery
In recognition of National Hernia Awareness Month, 74 - year - old St. Petersburg resident Steven Cline is sharing his personal story of perseverance and recovery after years of struggling with recurring hernias—a journey that ultimately restored his health and his freedom to travel the world.
A lifelong traveler, Cline spent his adult life traveling and exploring, never one to let obstacles get in his way. But over the years, a series of hernias began to slow him down—making travel less enjoyable and more uncomfortable. Despite undergoing multiple hernia surgeries in the past, Cline felt his most recent repair wasn’t quite right. He continued to experience discomfort and had a lingering sense that the hernia hadn’t been fully addressed.
That’s when he found Dr. Matthew Reynolds, a board - certified general surgeon at HCA Florida Largo Hospital, known for his expertise in complex hernia repairs. After a thorough evaluation, Dr. Reynolds confirmed Cline had a recurrent hernia that needed corrective surgery. Before proceeding, Dr. Reynolds partnered with Cline to develop a comprehensive whole body approach to better prepare him for his hernia repair and reduce the risk of complications. Determined to get back to living life to the fullest, Cline committed to this and worked diligently on his weight loss journey. He successfully shed over 30 pounds.
“Dr. Reynolds gave me my life back,” Cline shared. “I’ve been traveling my whole life, but now I can do it without discomfort or second - guessing. It’s made all the difference.”
Now, as National Hernia Awareness Month shines a spotlight on the condition affecting millions of Americans, Cline hopes his story inspires others to take their symptoms seriously and seek expert care.
“These complex hernias are more common than patients and even other healthcare providers realize,” said Dr. Reynolds. “Mr. Cline’s story is a great example of improvements in access to care and the great things that can be achieved with a collaborative relationship between a patient and their physician.”
About National Hernia Awareness Month
Observed each June, National Hernia Awareness Month aims to increase public understanding of hernias, their symptoms, and the importance of timely treatment. Hernias affect over 5 million Americans annually—yet only a fraction seek medical help.