Question:
Did anyone who has had surgery have a hiatal hernia before?
Did it affect the surgery? Did it affect the outcome? Did it affect your qualifications? I am very seriously looking into surgery and am curious about this. Thanks! — Lisa L. (posted on May 13, 2003)
May 13, 2003
I have had no problem with my hiatal hernia since surgery. I told my
surgeon about it (I was diagnosed about 2 years before surgery) and he
really didn't seem all that concerned.. just said the surgery should fix
it.
Best of luck to you!
— teresa M.
May 13, 2003
Hello Lisa! I did not know I had a hiatal hernia (aside from eating tums
after meals) Apparently it was a bad one, and my surgeon fixed it at the
same time as doing my RNY and it stayed lap. So, to answer your question
No it shouldn't interfere.
— dimpkd
May 13, 2003
I had one. I had not been told much about it, it having been diagnosed
years ago. I found the op report and took it to my surgeon. He said if it
needed to be repaired, he would do it at the time of my lap RNY, which he
did. For me (and this may not apply to you), I think that having
"double surgery" made my post op pain worse. Certainly bearable
but more intense. Also of importance, I am a real baby when it comes to
pain though.
Hope this helps!
— Lisa I.
May 13, 2003
I found out I had a hiatal hernia during the pre-op testing for my RNY. It
was deemed "self-correcting," which is what it does -- stuff
pauses for a moment before it enters the stomach, then goes in. My surgeon
elected not to repair it (from my reading, a hiatal hernia is not unusual,
many folks -- like me -- aren't even aware they have one, and repairing it,
in some cases, is worse than leaving it alone). It never bugged me before
WLS, and at a year out, still doesn't bug me.
— Suzy C.
May 13, 2003
i too found out i had one during my pre oip testing, although i suspected
for years i had one, does not bother me any morte now than it fdid before
only once i na while when i swollow, just like before!!
— janetc00
May 13, 2003
I was diagnosed with a small hiatal hernia after my upper endoscopy test
(still pre-op). The doc prescribed nexium for an 8-week period, which I'm
still in, and then I'm to see my PCP for follow-up. I guess he and I will
have to determine if I still need the medication. It has worked great for
me, and is cheaper for me than buying Pepcid or Tums, as I can get it
through my prescription plan. I'm not sure if any post-ops take this
medication. And I'm also not sure if the problem will be resolved by this
medication, either. I'll let you know more after I see my PCP.
— Carlita
May 14, 2003
Hi, I am 3 weeks post op - Lap Gastric Bypass. I have had a hiatal hernia
since I was pregnant with my son in 1991. My surgeon said he would fix my
hernia while he was in doing my bypass. I was diagnosed with severe sleep
apnea a week before surgery (I had known there was a sleep problem for the
past year) and since my surgery and the fixing of my hernia (which he found
was very large when he went in 12 CM) I have slept soundly through the
night and have not had to use my CPAP. I am down 31 lbs so far and I
believe the repair of the hernia has a lot to do with my being able to
sleep now. The hiatal hernia actually helped in getting me the WLS with my
insurance co who wouldnt have covered the WLS if there wasn't another
reason for the surgeon to be going in. I believe this will benefit you in
the long run by having the hernia corrected at the same time as your
WLS> Best of luck always! Kim
— Kimberly B.
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