Stomach Hernia

bandedme · March 20, 2007

Hi all! I am scheduled to be banded on 4/5/07. It was discovered during my upper GI series (for surgery clearance) that I have a stomach hernia. I didn't even know! I don't know what it is. Does it have to be repaired? How did I get it?

My pre-op appt with my band dr isn't until 3/28/07 and I'm really curious about this. Does anyone know if this is likely to need to be repaired during the band surgery?

Any longer or more difficult recovery with hernia repair?

Thanks for listening! Any advice would be awesome!

Bandedme (almost = 4/5/07)

faithmd · March 20, 2007

You have a hiatal hernia? Many bandsters apparently have them, most have said their MD just repairs it when they get banded.

demsvmejm · March 20, 2007

My Dr. said he fixed a hiatal hernia while placing my band also.

The diaphram has the esphogus or the top part of the stomach running through it. Sometimes the top portion of the stomach can slip up above the diaphram. That's called a hiatal hernia. Didn't know I had it either!.....Here's a picture

charsweb · March 20, 2007

I had a hiatal hernia also, I got just had my hernia and lap band surgery yesterday.It is more painful with the hernia surgery, you have a lot of upper abdominal swelling, because of your diaphram swelling. It really depends on how bad your hernia is too.

bandedme · March 22, 2007

Charsweb -

WOW! Just YESTERDAY you and surgery and you're already on the computer! GOOD FOR YOU!!!!

Please - let me all about it?! How was it?

You mentioned more pain and more swelling -

how are you doing?

Can you "feel" the hernia repair at all?

Did your dr say anything about requiring more healing time or anything different than regular band surgery/healing time since you had the hernia?

Did he say WHY or HOW you got the hernia???

So many questions! Sorry - you're just the first that I know that has had both - hernia and band -

Take care and please email or post!

GOOD LUCK to you!!!

Bandedme

4/5/07

Kat817 · March 22, 2007

My SIL had one repaired during her banding surgery, and he also removed several adhessions from a previous gall bladder surgery (done years ago with the BIG incision). She was up and around same as I was....no discernable difference.

Not anything to worry about, just make sure your Dr, knows.

Kat

bandedme · March 22, 2007

Thanks Kat! My doc definitely knows - but I will make double sure when I go in next week for my pre-op appt. I'm glad to hear your SIL hasn't had anything out of the ordinary with the hernia and band!!!!

Do you know if the hernia causes and concern with the band? Like - does the band get placed in a different position - bigger or smaller pouch left above the band?

I actually saw the hernia during the upper GI series - it appeared to my very untrained eye that my hernia was "behind" the stomach - I couldn't not see the diaphram - looking at the picture above that someone linked, my hernia looked to be on the side of my stomach, not on the upper portion. But, like I said - my untrained eye - and I haven't talked to my dr about it yet. So, I'll hope for the best!

Thanks again!

Bandedme

Big As Life · May 5, 2007

While being banded, the doctor found a hernia...repaired it while doing the banding...no problem...she said I got a two for one....

LFERLAND · May 5, 2007

I found the hernia repair very painful. The shoulder and chest pain was almost unbearable. I often had to sleep sitting because I could not lay down. Regardless, it was definately worth the pain as my GERD is MUCH better!!!