Just a question:

When I arrived for my surgery, on the consent form there was something about a hiatal hernia repair in addition to the lap band surgery. When I asked the dr about it, he said it was standard.

Anyone else have this done?

Does anyone know how you get a hiatal hernia?

A hiatal hernia occurs when part of your stomach pushes upward through your diaphragm. A lot of people seem to get them repaired while getting banded. My surgeon told me I prolly have one because of all the heartburn I started getting in the past 6 months when before that I haven't had it at all!

I had one repaired but it didnt seem to effect me, i didnt even know I had it. I have heard they can be from overeating consistently.

A lot of overweight people have hiatal hernias-- especially if they (like I do) carry a lot of weight in the abdomen. All the fat pushes on the stomach and pushes it up into the diaphragm--- when you over eat it does get worse.

When I woke up from surgery the nurse told me that the doctor had to repair two hernias that he found while performing the banding procedure. I wasn't even aware that I had any hernias. I never had heartburn or any other pain associated with hernias.

Either way, I am glad that they are repaired.....and I didn't have to have an additional surgery to fix them!

My doc explained the reason why it is standard protocol to fix them if the doc sees 'em is because a small hernia when you are obese will open up as the weight reduces and pressure comes off the organs....I was one of the "lucky" 10% who had a hernia that didn't show up on the pre-op barium swallow.....

I had a hiatal hernia repaired along with my lapband, and I am VERY glad the doctor did it! In my case, I have been able to immediately quit taking Prilosec due to the repair. My hiatal hernia surfaced, oh, about sixteen years ago when I was carrying a 10 pound baby boy. Plus...I did not plan to tell many people the details of my surgery because, frankly, I'm tired of my body being the topic of discussion in terms of my weight. For me, when those nosy sorts get a bit too curious, I just say rather vaguely, "oh...a hiatal hernia repair. Nothing major." Gets the point across that it was abdominal surgery but nothing to see here folks, move along, move along.

My hiatal hernia will be repaired when I get my lap-band- two for the price of one! I'm hoping I'll be able to stop Prilosec after surgery.

I also had it done during my banding surgery. Mine was rather large & tacked on 2 extra hours to the 1hr lap band surgery. My doc said I was even obstructed & had a lot of reflux from it- days before surgery I had no idea I had a hernia but I did know I had sudden major heartburn & had even vomited up until surgery day. I attributed it to hitting my mid-20's & being obese. But since the surgery no heartburn, no vomiting! Glad to have had it taken care of. May cause a little extra discomfort post op but in the long run will be a huge relief!

A hiatal hernia is an anatomical abnormality in which part of the stomach protrudes through the diaphragm and up into the chest. furthermore please do consult with your medical practitioner.