Hi all,

I recently got my surgical reports faxed from OCC and saw that a Sliding hiatal hernia was found. I didn't know what that was until I researched it and found a pic of it. Prior to surgery, I was taking Prevacid for GERD. Haven't taken anymore since surgery which is great! I didn't see anything about the hernia needing or was repaired, but there was alot of medical terms in the report that even I couldn't figure out...LOL Now, since I have dropped weight, I have a bulging lump in the middle of my chest that is tender and achy at times and sometimes I have some reflux or heartburn, but not alot and short lived usually.

Was this hernia repaired and/or could it have reoccured and caused that lump? I haven't taken anything at all for the heartburn I have occasionally. Just don't want to. I know that usually Dr. Ortiz repairs hiatal hernias, but not sure if this one needed repair or was repaired. Not even sure if that is what it is, but it's the only thing I can come up with ya know.

Thanks for any replies in advance!

Peace,

Judy <!--IBF.ATTACHMENT_15454-->

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<!--sizeo:3--><!--/sizeo--><!--coloro:#800080--><!--/coloro-->Highest Weight Ever! - 396lbs 6'1"

<!--coloro:#0000FF--><!--/coloro-->Before Pre-op Diet<!--colorc--><!--/colorc--> - 375lbs

<!--coloro:#0000FF--><!--/coloro-->Banding Date <!--colorc--><!--/colorc-->- 5/21/07 - Dr. Ortiz/Dr. Martinez - 352lbs

<!--coloro:#0000FF--><!--/coloro-->First Fill - 7/21/07 <!--colorc--><!--/colorc--><!--coloro:#800080--><!--/coloro-->- 3.2cc<!--colorc--><!--/colorc-->

<!--coloro:#0000FF--><!--/coloro-->Post-op weight as of 8/4/07 <!--colorc--><!--/colorc-->- 315bs<!--colorc--><!--/colorc-->

<!--coloro:#2F4F4F--><!--/coloro-->Current weight loss - 60lbs gone!<!--colorc--><!--/colorc--><!--sizec--><!--/sizec-->

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Please ignore my ticker...haven't updated it lately.

Thanks!

Judy

If you will copy the hernia part of your OR report it would help a great deal. What, specifically, did it say about the hernia? Did it say anything about sutures, size, anything?

If you will copy the hernia part of your OR report it would help a great deal. What, specifically, did it say about the hernia? Did it say anything about sutures, size, anything?

A sliding hiatal hernia was identified at this time. we proceeded to dissect diagphragmatic peritoneum at the level of the gastric angle of His uncovering left pillar, then proceeded to open pars flacida identifying right pillar ang its union with the left pillar, hiatus closure was performed utilizing two interrupted sutures(Ethibon 2-0). Under direct vision a retro gastric tunnel was created. Introduction of Greenstein instrument and exposure of the angle of His performed. The Lap-Band was pass in a retro-gastric fashion using the specified instrument...etc. The rest is about placing the band.

Hope this explains some.

Judy

A sliding hiatal hernia was identified at this time. we proceeded to dissect diagphragmatic peritoneum at the level of the gastric angle of His uncovering left pillar, then proceeded to open pars flacida identifying right pillar ang its union with the left pillar, hiatus closure was performed utilizing two interrupted sutures(Ethibon 2-0). Under direct vision a retro gastric tunnel was created. Introduction of Greenstein instrument and exposure of the angle of His performed. The Lap-Band was pass in a retro-gastric fashion using the specified instrument...etc. The rest is about placing the band.

Hope this explains some.

Judy

(emphasis my own)

They closed it with two sutures. They went on to cut the connective tissue around the stomach to form a hole where they would slip the band through.

BTW, it sounds like you had a wide hiatus vs. a standard hiatal hernia from what they are saying in this report. A hiatial hernia is a hole, a wide hiatus is a little different, it's this shape: __/ vs. this shape: O

My surgeon found a hiatal hernia too. He closed it with 2 sutures and said it should be fine. He (nor I) have any idea how long I'd had it. But good to know they fixed it!

Good Luck

I had the same type of hernia as you. An unusual one I gather. They didn't pick it up on the ultrasound pre-banding but I'm sure glad they fixed it while they were in the region.

Update on Dr. appt. about my lump in chest.

Turns out that since my weight loss, I WAS feeling the low end of the sternum which is mostly cartilage and soft tissue. When I would push on it and messing with it, I was making it inflamed and made it tender and sore. He offered an anti-inflammatory and I said I was happy to kick the naproxen after many years and I didn't want it. He said then you should just stop pushing on it and irritating it and should be fine. Ok...lol

I was stressed all day because of work and this appt. I was thinking the worse possible news I would get from this. I was stressed over something at work and had a sharp pain in my chest. That just about put me over the edge..lol My BP was great, but I had a slight fever. I have been struggling with nasty constipation lately, but will soon get relief. I know TMI...tee hee

Thanks for your help and concerns.

Peace,

Judy

That's great Judy. Glad it was nothing serious. It's always worth going to check these things out.