I just found out yesterday I have a haitel hernia. I don't know how bad yet, I only know I'm having a hard time swallowing.

I go to the dr again soon, but am wondering if I can try to shoot for the surgical repair and have the band done at the same time.

Does anyone have any advice here?

I'm thinking that if I can get my gastrointerologist to refer me for surgery for the hernia then I can get the surgeon to throw in the lapband for a small fee.

and will that hernia affect the band in a negative way? I sure don't want to live with chronic reflux from the hernia and the band putting pressure on it.

thanks for any tips...Kathy

I had been told many years ago I had a hernia but nothing ever surfaced. After my surgery, Dr Kuri said, Did you know you had a hiatal hernia, I said well kinda, and he said "Well, you don't have it anymore" So, it was great to get that repaired as well as my band in place.

I have UHC, and also diagnosed with a very large hiatal hernia, and insurance paid for that and the band. Had the hernia repaired the same time as my surgery.

I haven't had refulx since.

Because of the hernia, I also had to have my esophagus stretched, along with my stomach pulled out of my ribbs and put back into the propper place. All this was done the during one surgery by my Bariactric doctor. I haven't felt this good in YEARS. Insurance paid for it all (except my out of pocket expenses, which was about $1,000)

I also had a hiatal hernia as well. They did not know I had it until they went inside me, but they said it is very common and it is very easy to repair. There is some discomfort around the chest because they tighten the cardiac sphincter, but also because the scope generally goes in the same place. The insurance paid for it because it is a medical problem and it needed to be fixed. Good luck!!!

Rachel