Jump to content
×
Are you looking for the BariatricPal Store? Go now!

Recommended Posts

Hi Everyone,

I was just curious about something...I have seen a few posts about individuals with complications from a hiatal hernia and was just wondering if that is something that people know they have before they get the sleeve or is it a total surprise to the patient and doctor when they find that during the vsg surgery? If it's something you might have and not know about, are there any symptoms? Thank you for shedding light on this for me!

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Neither my Dr nor I knew I had a hiatal hernia until he got inside me. It was a total surprise and mine was pretty severe. Apparently I had suffered some symptoms but not many, so I am not an expert on the symptoms. BUT... my understanding is that you tend to have a lot of reflux from one.

My surgeon was able to repair it during my sleeve surgery. I have had no complications from the repair or the sleeve surgery.

Good luck!

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

My surgeon said most people have a hiatal hernia and don't even know it. I have it and he said he will repair it during the surgery.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I don't ever remember reading about anyone having complications from a hiatal hernia, but loads of us find out that we had one after surgery. Generally the surgeon doesn't know until he gets in there either. I had one, it took just a few minutes to fix (I have a video of my surgery) and I haven't had a single moment of heartburn or reflux since! Both were huge problems beforehand.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I was having really bad upper stomach pains, went to ER and they told me I had an peptic ulcer. I requested an endoscopy from my primary to find out for sure and it wasn't an ulcer but in fact a hiatal hernia. That's how I found out. What was super interesting to me, was that the brochure they gave me on hiatal hernias mentioned that excessive weight loss will actually cure a hiatal hernia :-). Go Figure hahaha :)!

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

My preop testing showed my hiatal hernia. I had an endoscopy which showed it. Dr. Jossart fixed it at the time of my VSG. I did have increased pain post op from the hiatal hernia repair. Not too bad, but enough to notice.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Yikes:scared0:, that's what I was worried about! I was wondering if I should just leave it since excessive weight loss will basically help it anyway...I will discuss it will my surgeon at the preop...

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Your Surgeon will probably want to fix it just because our new stomach is so narrow that it could easily slide up into your chest through the hernia opening. It is so easy to fix while they are there - just a few stitches. I questioned whether I should have mine fixed also and Dr. Jossart said that it is a much trickier surgery to do later. Keep me posted on what your Surgeon says...........

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Yeah I'm sure my surgeon will want to fix it as well...but I will find out for sure at my preop and let you know:001_smile:

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I know that I have one because, when I had my gallbladder out years and years ago, the doctor saw it but said it wasn't bad enough to fix (huh?). I have horrible GERD now so I'm sure it hasn't improved, but it did not show up on the endoscopy I had. When I asked my doctor about that, he said that they can slide in and out and aren't always visible.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I have what they call a sliding hiatal hernia. I have a lot of pressure at the top of my stomach under my rib cage. I never really notice it unless I lift something, a package of printer paper is a lot, I cant even hold babies mine is so sensitive. My dr said he will fix it when he goes in and I cant wait.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

My doc found a hernia while in there and quickly repaired it. I honestly didn't notice pain after the surgery. Hope these responses avail some of your fears.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

OK my surgeon said he would not be repairing my hital hernia during the sleeve. He said its basically out of the way, where he will be working and that if I was having the gastric bypass he would do it. I'm fine with it :-)

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I would want it fixed. I developed one after surg. Via a trip to ED thought something was stuck it continues causing me problems:crying:, can't eat enough and have acid reflux. I am going to have mine repaired. Dr. Aceves said he would fix it. (not sure if there is a cost involved?) I see my PCP and will ask her.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

when I went to have my Uppre GI they checked for that, my dc said that was one of the main reason to have that done, the other was just to see how big my tummy was.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now

  • Trending Products

  • Trending Topics

  • Recent Status Updates

    • LeighaTR

      I am new here today... and only two weeks out from my sleeve surgery on the 23rd. I am amazed I have kept my calories down to 467 today so far... that leaves me almost 750 left for dinner and maybe a snack. This is going to be tough for two weeks... but I have to believe I can do it!
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • Doughgurl

      Hey everyone. I'm new here so I thought I should introduce myself. I am 53y/o and am scheduled for Gastric Bypass on June 25th, 2025. I'm located in San Antonio, Texas. I will be having my surgery in Tiajuana Mexico. I've wanted this for years, but I always had insurance where bariatric procedures were excluded. Finally I am able to afford to pay out of pocket.  I can't wait to get started, and I hope I'm prepared for the initial period of "hell". I know what I have signed up for, but I'm sure the good to come will out way the temporary period of discomfort and feelings of regret. I'd love to find people to talk to who have been through the same procedure or experience before. So I look forward to meeting you all. Hope you have a great week!
      · 2 replies
      1. Selina333

        I'm so happy for you! You are about to change your life. I was so glad to get the sleeve done in Dec. I didn't have feelings of regret overall. And I'm down almost 60 lbs. I do feel a little sad at restaurants. I can barely eat half a kid's meal. I get adults meals often because kid ones don't have the same offerings at times. Then I feel obligated to eat on that until it's gone and that can be days. So the restaurant thing isn't great for me. All the rest is fine by me! I love feeling full with very little. I do wish I could drink when eating. And will sip at the end. Just a strong habit to stop. But I'm working on it! You will do fine! Just keep focused on your desire to be different. Not better or worse. But different. I am happy both ways but my low back doesn't like me that heavy. So I listened (also my feet!). LOL! Update us on your journey! I'm not far from you. I'm in Houston. Good luck and I hope it all goes smoothly! Would love to see pics of the town you go to for this. I've never been there. Neat you will be traveling for this! Enjoy the journey. Take it one day at a time. Sometimes a few hours at a time. Follow all recommendations as best you can. 💗

      2. Doughgurl

        Thank you so much for your well wishes. I am hoping that everything goes easy for me as well. We don't eat out much as it is, so it wont be too bad in that department. Thankfully. Also, I hear you regarding your back and feet!! I'd like to add knees to the list. Killing me as we speak! I'm only 5' so the weight has to go. Too short to carry all this weight. Menopause really did a doosey on me. (😶lol) My daughter also lives in Houston. with her Husband and my 5 grand-littles. I grew up in Beaumont, so I know Houston well, I will be sure to keep in touch and update you on my journey. I may need some advice in the future, or just motivation. Thank You so much for reaching out, I was hoping to connect with someone in the community. I really appreciate it. 💜

    • Alisa_S

      On day 4 of the 2 week liquid pre-op diet. Surgery scheduled for June 11th.
      Soooo I am coming to a realization
      of something and I'm not sure what to do about it. For years the only thing I've enjoyed is eating. We rarely do anything or go anywhere and if we do it always includes food. Family comes over? Big family dinner! Go camping? Food! Take a short ride or trip? Food! Holiday? Food! Go out of town for a Dr appointment? Food! When we go to a new town we don't look for any attractions, we look for restaurants we haven't been to. Heck, I look forward to getting off work because that means it's almost supper time. Now that I'm drinking these pre-op shakes for breakfast, lunch, and supper I have nothing to look forward to.  And once I have surgery on June 11th it'll be more of the same shakes. Even after pureed stage, soft food stage, and finally regular food stage, it's going to be a drastic change for the rest of my life. I'm giving up the one thing that really brings me joy. Eating. How do you cope with that? What do you do to fill that void? Wow. Now I'm sad.
      · 1 reply
      1. LeighaTR

        I hope your surgery on Wednesday goes well. You will be able to do all sorts of new things as you find your new normal after surgery. I don't know this from experience yet, but I am seeing a lot of positive things from people who have had it done. Best of luck!

    • Alisa_S

      On day 4 of the 2 week liquid pre-op diet. Surgery scheduled for June 11th.
      Soooo I am coming to a realization
      of something and I'm not sure what to do about it. For years the only thing I've enjoyed is eating. We rarely do anything or go anywhere and if we do it always includes food. Family comes over? Big family dinner! Go camping? Food! Take a short ride or trip? Food! Holiday? Food! Go out of town for a Dr appointment? Food! When we go to a new town we don't look for any attractions, we look for restaurants we haven't been to. Heck, I look forward to getting off work because that means it's almost supper time. Now that I'm drinking these pre-op shakes for breakfast, lunch, and supper I have nothing to look forward to.  And once I have surgery on June 11th it'll be more of the same shakes. Even after pureed stage, soft food stage, and finally regular food stage, it's going to be a drastic change for the rest of my life. I'm giving up the one thing that really brings me joy. Eating. How do you cope with that? What do you do to fill that void? Wow. Now I'm sad.
      · 1 reply
      1. summerseeker

        Life as a big person had limited my life to what I knew I could manage to do each day. That was eat. I hadn't anything else to look forward to. So my eating choices were the best I could dream up. I planned the cooking in managable lots in my head and filled my day with and around it.

        Now I have a whole new big, bigger, biggest, best days ever. I am out there with those skinny people doing stuff i could never have dreamt of. Food is now an after thought. It doesn't consume my day. I still enjoy the good home cooked food but I eat smaller portions. I leave food on my plate when I am full. I can no longer hear my mother's voice saying eat it all up, ther are starving children in Africa who would want that!

        I still cook for family feasts, I love cooking. I still do holidays but I have changed from the All inclusive drinking and eating everything everyday kind to Self catering accommodation. This gives me the choice of cooking or eating out as I choose. I rarely drink anymore as I usually travel alone now and I feel I need to keep aware of my surroundings.

        I don't know at what point my life expanded, was it when I lost 100 pounds? Was it when I left my walking stick at home ? Was it when I said yes to an outing instead of finding an excuse to stay home ? i look back at my last five years and wonder how loosing weight has made such a difference. Be ready to amaze yourself.

        BTW, the liquid diet sucks, one more day and you are over the worst. You can do it.

    • CaseyP1011

      Officially here for a long time, not just a good time💪
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
  • Recent Topics

  • Hot Products

  • Sign Up For
    Our Newsletter

    Follow us for the latest news
    and special product offers!
  • Together, we have lost...
      lbs

    PatchAid Vitamin Patches

    ×