Does the Lap-Band contribute to hiatal hernias?

I found out years ago that I had a hiatal hernia - at the time there was no surgery to repair them except for experimental.  When I had my EGD my surgeon discovered it was very large and a good bit of my stomach was up in my chest cavity.  He repaired it when he did my band, and I have not had a single episode of heartburn since surgery 2 weeks ago. Lots of things can cause the hernia - I have always suspected that I contributed to it by the years I spent as a bulimic, but overweight does it too so I guess I will never know. My particular symptoms did not include heartburn for many many years (I have laryngopharangeal reflux)  my problems from it were to develop a voice disorder and sinus/nasal problems.  I am hoping they will improve now too!

I have read and have been told that HH incidence is higher in obese patients and the elderly.  As an obese patient loses weight, the HH can worsen (ironic because they say to "cure our HH symptoms" we should lose weight).  Small defects are not noticeable by the general population (and are fairly common), but with our bands (or other WLS and their modified stomachs) a HH can cause more isues with us.