help hiatal hernia

[callcrs 0]

I was banded 12/3/07 and had a large hiatal hernia that the Dr. repaired during the banding procedure.

[Newbeginnings 0]

Hi calls,

how are you doing? I am still bandless so i am so jealous that you got yours done. Just kidding. I am in the process of waiting to hear from a new dr. in ma that is a hernia specialist. he is willing to place my band and repair the hernia where my old dr would do one or the other not both. I was all set for the surgery date so the Ma hospital has to figure out where have me start in their program. I hope they accept all of my records and i dont have to start from the beginning as it is 200 miles away to their hospital. I feel like i am getting the better dr so it is worth it. are you in much pain? Are you back to work. I will be thinking of you and hoping things are going great for you in bandland.

Newbeginnings

[callcrs 0]

Hopefully, the new Dr. has done a lot of lapbands. My Dr. had done over 300 of them and he did the gastric bypass before that. It is too bad you have to get back in line. I know when I was waiting for insurance ok, it seemed like it was forever. Maybe in the long run, this will be much better for you because you will only have to go through it once.

[Anyalee 0]

I just had my surgery Thursday. I had a small hernia that the doctor fixed before he put the band on, but the whole surgery still only took 50 minutes.

[callcrs 0]

I just had my surgery Thursday. I had a small hernia that the doctor fixed before he put the band on, but the whole surgery still only took 50 minutes.

Congratulations! The first 3 days were the worst for me and then its smooth sailing. I am glad you were able to get it all done at one time. It has been 2 weeks for me and I have found I can eat about anything now but just not very much. It certainly changes your behavior.

[prival66 0]

Hi, I just read your thread about your hernia. I had my surgery on 12/4/07 and the doctor found my hernia and repaired it during the same surgery. Mine was 3cm. I have not had any problems, probably just a little more swollen and sore. Other than that, my surgeon said it was not big deal...he's done over 4500 surgeries.

Hope that helps.

Chris

[callcrs 0]

Thanks for the comment. I am feeling great now. I noticed that you had your procedure done in Mexico. Would you mind sharing the cost? Fortunately, mine was covered by insurance but I have a friend who wants it done but no insurance.

[prival66 0]

Glad to hear you're doing better. I had my surgery in Monterrey, Mexico with Dr. Rumbaut (speaks fluent English) and the total cost including 3 days in the hotel was $9500.00. It depends too on if there have been any previous surgeries that would create scar tissue.

[callcrs 0]

Thanks for the info. How you doing?

[prival66 0]

Thanks for asking...doing okay. I had some tuna today...I think it was too much. I am feeling a little nauseated. I hate that feeling. I probably ate too fast too. It was the small can and my coordinator recommended a lot of mayo. (for now)

I must still have some swelling that is causing restriction. I don't have an appetite, I just ate to eat, and cause it was lunch time. I am faithful to my Protein though and my Water. I do feel a little low on energy, but it was surgery, and I did go right back to work. I am an Occupational Therapy Assistant in a pediatric clinic...so no time to rest. I have people pick the kids up for me since no lifting. Well, have a Merry Christmas!

Chris

[Apples2 19]

I have a question for all of you that have had a hernia. Is there always an upper GI done b/4 surgery? I have had acid reflux problems for about 15 years (about the time I started gaining weight). I have never been diagnosed with a hernia and have worried that my dr. would not do the band if it was found that I have a hernia. I want this surgery so badly but I also want things to go smoothly post op and not be miserable because of a hernia. It's nice to see posts from people who have had them repaired and things went smoothly post op

[citimom 0]

Dr discovered my hh while doing surgery for the band. Fixed it and inserted band all in one surgery in about 20 minutes! good luck

[tonya66 13]

I have a question for all of you that have had a hernia. Is there always an upper GI done b/4 surgery? I have had acid reflux problems for about 15 years (about the time I started gaining weight). I have never been diagnosed with a hernia and have worried that my dr. would not do the band if it was found that I have a hernia. I want this surgery so badly but I also want things to go smoothly post op and not be miserable because of a hernia. It's nice to see posts from people who have had them repaired and things went smoothly post op

Most docs do an upper GI before surgery, but perhaps not all. It has been my experience that when the doctor goes in to place the band and they find a HH, they will repair at that time. However, some docs might not if it is a very large one.

My hernia was large and the most rare, but, my doc knew about it before the surgery and repaired it. I have not had acid reflux since my day of surgery. Oh, it feels wonderful!

I had stage 4 esopogitus, and the next stage would be Barretts Esaphagus, which leads to cancer, so I'm so thankful for the band, wihtout it I would not have even known that I was headed down the road to cancer.

I had complained for years to my PCP about my reflux, and he just kept giving me more anti acids - which did not do the trick. I just figured it was something that I would suffer with all my life. Wrong, its completely gone now!

[shortgal 5]

I had a hiatal hernia, too. I knew about it as I had an upper GI series a few yeas back b/c of acid reflux. The hernia was repaired at the time of surgery. i was self pay, no add'l cost for the hernia, but then the lap band surgery was $17,800! Ouch. No more reflux, so far.

[Apples2 19]

Would love to live my life without worrying about acid reflux. I think I have been on Prilosec since it came on the market....about 12-15 yrs. I imagine that if they find a hernia, I will have to deal with it at the time. If it is found pre op, and my dr. will not think of doing the repair, I will have to find another dr. that will. I have decided...no matter what... I am having this surgery. I want this life change. I have everything that a person could want. I am happy but this excess weight affects everything I do.

Started the process November 12, 2007. Have lost about 22lbs and already feeling so much better. Even last weight during a vacation to FL last week. I am so concerned that I will be thrown out of the program for having a hernia and am encouraged by your comments. Thank you.