UPDATE 2/13/07 - I will be getting the band and he will fix the hiatal hernia! March 5th is the big day! I posted this as a message, but figure I would put my update on the first post as well. Thanks for the posts guys!

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So I am in a predicament. After going through a huge process to get approved (I was denied, then later approved), I was elated to get my surgery going. I am scheduled for March 5th to get a LAP-BAND. However, I did my upper GI diagnostic test and it revealed a hiatal hernia. I was so worried that I may not be able to get the band that I talked to the nurses and they talked with the Doctor. Apparently, if someone has a hiatal hernia, he usually just goes for the RNY... but may make exceptions if the patient is dead set on a band.

So I have my appointment scheduled on Tuesday for him and I to discuss my options and decide if I can still do the LAP-BAND (he is getting sent the x-ray films), or if I have to do the RNY (and get the hernia repaired), which may be a safer bet.

I am soooooooo scared to get a RNY if need be. I am only a 23 year old guy who is very active. I had lost 80 lbs., gained it back, and now cannot lose anything despite all my hard work. I figured the band would be the the tool that would push me that little bit further to actually see results. The RNY just seems so final... and scary (not in a safety way, but I feel I am too young for it).

What do you guys think? I am struggling a lot with this. Thanks.

Did your Doctor say why you had so much trouble?

kwhenrykerr,

My one regret at this point was not thinking enough to ask my surgeon why this happened. I was dealing with what was happening and how to minimize it. He did say that he had one patient suffer for 7 days with extreme swelling and he was right on when he said it would take two weeks for the swelling to subside (although I was consuming liquids comfortably in 9 days). Finding out why is one of my priorities when I return for a fill (I live 4 hours from my surgeon).

Good Journey,

Terri

Terri, I wish you all the best and will follow your post to keep learning. Thanks for the reply.

I was banded on February 7, 2007. My doctor fixed my hiatal hernia at the same time I was banded. Most importantly, he was honest enough to bill me only for the band and submitted the hernia to the insurance company. At the end I just paid 5.500.00 for the banding. ( I was self-pay for the band)

I had an enormous hiatal hernia; the hole was about 2-3" in diameter. My surgeon repaired it and then placed the band. My recovery was longer and it was quite painful afterwards. I'm 5 weeks post op now and feel the best I've done for 10 years. Definitely find another doctor if he insists on the bypass; it's your body after all!

Hey, that a great idea. Have the insurance pay for the Hernia repair and piggy back the lap band at self pay. This need to be looked at!