Hello,

I had an upper endoscopy done yesterday, and the doctor discovered a hiatal hernia. Does anyone know if a hiatal hernia can be repaired at the time of banding, or is it required it be done before?

Thanks,

Rod

It can be repaired during the Lapband surgery. I won't say it's common but a fair amount of people have them.

Hiatal hernias are quite typical in obese people. My surgeon repaired my hiatal hernia at the same time as my band was placed. It was a great extra benefit-I had suffered from reflux for 20 years and was taking multiple daily medications-in the 3+ years since, I've only suffered from heartburn/reflux when my band was filled too tight.

Thanks for the info! I appreciate it. When I was in to see the doctor to sign off on the upper endoscopy, he mentioned the possibility of a hiatal hernia. He said they may recommend the gastric sleeve, if they found the hernia. I'd rather go with the band. I'm hoping he's still open to do the lapband surgery. I was kind of bummed that I didn't get to talk to him after the procedure yesterday.

Stick to your guns, Rod, if its the LapBand you want, don't let him talk you out of it.... They "talked" me out of it, but I quickly changed my mind back to the band.

Stick to your guns, Rod, if its the LapBand you want, don't let him talk you out of it.... They "talked" me out of it, but I quickly changed my mind back to the band.

Thanks! I will do that for sure! The other options don't sound good at all to me. I certainly wouldn't condemn others for having those procedures, but I really don't want either one for myself.

At True Results Houston, that's part of the package. If you have a hernia, they do the repair while the do the band SX. I had one and it was repaired.

Don't let the doctor talk you into something you don't want to do- especially when it comes to something like this.

My uppper GI shows a hiatal hernia as well. The jerk who did my procedure and told me about the hernia went on a tirade when he figured out I was going to do the Band. He stood there at the foot of my bed in the recovery area and blasted me for my decision basically calling me stupid. Said that people with the band end up getting the bypass so I should just go ahead and to the bypass first. I just gritted my teeth, took deep breaths, smiled at him nicely and said "thank you for the information." He is NOT my surgeon. Two days later I was cleared for surgery by my insurance. The surgeon's office called me to schedule my date. I told the lady there about the experience and she was horrified. Yes, when my surgeon gets in there and sees the hernia, he will fix it when he places the band. No, I'm not stupid for making the choice I've made...it's MY CHOICE. She calmed down my anger and made me feel much better about the situation...especially when she said that everyone in that office would pay to be in the room if the jerk ever spoke to me again like that. Yes, the jerk is part of the practice where I am going, and nobody likes him very much. But, I'm sure now it's in my chart to not put us together for any visits in the future. Stand up for your choice. We all have reasons for the choices we make. I'm very comfortable with my decision. And, I'm three weeks away from seeing it come to be...and very excited!

My uppper GI shows a hiatal hernia as well. The jerk who did my procedure and told me about the hernia went on a tirade when he figured out I was going to do the Band. He stood there at the foot of my bed in the recovery area and blasted me for my decision basically calling me stupid. Said that people with the band end up getting the bypass so I should just go ahead and to the bypass first. I just gritted my teeth, took deep breaths, smiled at him nicely and said "thank you for the information." He is NOT my surgeon. Two days later I was cleared for surgery by my insurance. The surgeon's office called me to schedule my date. I told the lady there about the experience and she was horrified. Yes, when my surgeon gets in there and sees the hernia, he will fix it when he places the band. No, I'm not stupid for making the choice I've made...it's MY CHOICE. She calmed down my anger and made me feel much better about the situation...especially when she said that everyone in that office would pay to be in the room if the jerk ever spoke to me again like that. Yes, the jerk is part of the practice where I am going, and nobody likes him very much. But, I'm sure now it's in my chart to not put us together for any visits in the future. Stand up for your choice. We all have reasons for the choices we make. I'm very comfortable with my decision. And, I'm three weeks away from seeing it come to be...and very excited!

Wow! Quite the story. Glad you stuck to your choice!

The group that does WLS in our area calls the surgeries -- no matter which one you chose -- a tool to lose weight. They also tell you that you have approximately one year to use this "tool" to lose the weight and better your life. If you get back into old habits, your body will adjust to your lapband/sleeve/bypass and allow you to eat more food, and gain the weight back. I figure that if I'm going to pick a "tool" to help me lose weight over a year or more, I will pick the one that is least invasive. I don't like the modifications that are made with the other weight loss procedures. I just need something that will help me feel full and make it easier to stop eating. I know I'll have to be conscious of what I'm eating and how much. I just need help with satisfying hunger with less food.

My insurance will not pay for my band but the cost will be offset by my hernia. The docs will bill much of it to may insurance with the reason for the surgery being hernia repair and then I just pay for the band part of it. If I end up not having a hernia I will not be able to afford band. Sounds like that doctor was a bit crazy. Good luck!

I had mine fixed at the banding. Also my stomach was in the wrong place and that was moved too. I took 6 pills a day to eat because of both of these problems and since the surgery have no more troubles and no more pills.

Good luck with everything.

The group that does WLS in our area calls the surgeries -- no matter which one you chose -- a tool to lose weight. They also tell you that you have approximately one year to use this "tool" to lose the weight and better your life. If you get back into old habits' date=' your body will adjust to your lapband/sleeve/bypass and allow you to eat more food, and gain the weight back. I figure that if I'm going to pick a "tool" to help me lose weight over a year or more, I will pick the one that is least invasive. I don't like the modifications that are made with the other weight loss procedures. I just need something that will help me feel full and make it easier to stop eating. I know I'll have to be conscious of what I'm eating and how much. I just need help with satisfying hunger with less food.[/quote']

I disagree that you only have one year to use your band. I had some health issues during my second year post banding and hit a plateau, but during the following year I lost an additional 25 pounds and am still actively working with my band to continue trying to reach my goal weight.

There isn't a magic switch that turns off after a year-that's all I'm trying to say. That may be the case with the other types of WLS, but not the band. Look at some of the weight loss tickers on here to see others who are still successfully losing...

I was banded on Monday and they found a hernia as well and my surgeon removed it with no issues. It won't prolong my recovery time or anything. It was a blessing in disguise because I only have to do it once. As far as your decision don't allow anyone to sway your choice. If banding is what you want then you stick to that. I wish you nothing but the best!!!

I was banded on Monday and they found a hernia as well and my surgeon removed it with no issues. It won't prolong my recovery time or anything. It was a blessing in disguise because I only have to do it once. As far as your decision don't allow anyone to sway your choice. If banding is what you want then you stick to that. I wish you nothing but the best!!!

Thank you. I wish you well!

I heard from my doctor this evening. He said that my hernia is small and not a barrier to getting the surgery I want.