Hiatal Hernia repair

[Rachel8858 5]

Ok I had my sleeve and hiatal hernia repair done 2 weeks ago. Everything has been going good, but yesterday I started to have stabbing pain in the middle of my chest. I know this is related to the hernia, but is that normal so far out of surgery? And has anyone else experienced this? I hadn't had any pain in my chest like this until yesterday. The pain comes and goes, occurs sometimes when I drink, sometimes after, and sometimes just out of the blue. How long does this last? What is the average healing time for a hiatal hernia repair? I have my follow up appointment with my surgeon on Thursday and plan on asking all these questions and more but this pain is no joke! Any insights would be appreciated.

[it'sonlythefirststep 141]

I had the same thing happen. Mine was acid reflux and nothing to do with the hernia. It happens often with anything I eat or drink. I’ve talked to others and they say it is one of the side effects of have the sleeve done

Edited July 30, 2018 by it'sonlythefirststep

[BurBur 113]

I had the same procedure as you with my sleeve. I did have pain from the hernia repair and it was quite unpleasant, but the pain referred into my left collar bone and left shoulder area. It worsened switching to solid food stage and happened during digestion. It was a pretty yucky problem for me for at least 3 months and then I had to go back on liquids for other reasons so I didn't feel it much anymore. But I'm at 5 months now and I still feel a twinge in my shoulder when I take a deep breath. It's not so very troublesome with eating and I can't even be certain it has to do with the hernia repair anymore, but I just had to be scoped and the doctor saw the hernia returning! Erggh...He said it was small right now, whatever that means I guess.

Any pain you feel should be brought to the doctors' attention right away especially if it is persistent or hard to ignore. Be safe :)!

[Rachel8858 5]

On 07/30/2018 at 11:09, it'sonlythefirststep said:

I had the same thing happen. Mine was acid reflux and nothing to do with the hernia. It happens often with anything I eat or drink. I’ve talked to others and they say it is one of the side effects of have the sleeve done

I knew after surgery my Gerd could become worse or go away but I guess I didn't realize that it could change places and be so painful! I was told not to take my Prilosec unless I have heart burn, so I am wondering if I should take my Prilosec and see if that helps, if it comes back. So far today I haven't had any pain, just a little discomfort after swallowing liquid.

[it'sonlythefirststep 141]

They told me to take Zantac daily

[Rachel8858 5]

On 07/30/2018 at 12:34, BurBur said:

I had the same procedure as you with my sleeve. I did have pain from the hernia repair and it was quite unpleasant, but the pain referred into my left collar bone and left shoulder area. It worsened switching to solid food stage and happened during digestion. It was a pretty yucky problem for me for at least 3 months and then I had to go back on liquids for other reasons so I didn't feel it much anymore. But I'm at 5 months now and I still feel a twinge in my shoulder when I take a deep breath. It's not so very troublesome with eating and I can't even be certain it has to do with the hernia repair anymore, but I just had to be scoped and the doctor saw the hernia returning! Erggh...He said it was small right now, whatever that means I guess.

Any pain you feel should be brought to the doctors' attention right away especially if it is persistent or hard to ignore. Be safe :)!

Yeah the pain I felt yesterday was worse than the surgery pain! If it comes back I'll be heading to the urgent care, but so far nothing today....I'm just hoping it stays away, since I am still on liquids (kinda afraid what it will feel like if it starts when I start puréed foods!)

[Rachel8858 5]

On 07/30/2018 at 13:01, it'sonlythefirststep said:

They told me to take Zantac daily

Yeah I'm thinking I might need to go back on my Prilosec going to call the surgeon if the pain comes back and see what he says.

[BurBur 113]

3 minutes ago, Rachel8858 said:

Yeah the pain I felt yesterday was worse than the surgery pain! If it comes back I'll be heading to the urgent care, but so far nothing today....I'm just hoping it stays away, since I am still on liquids (kinda afraid what it will feel like if it starts when I start puréed foods!)

Keep a lil journal for a week or so hopefully longer and try to let your surgeon know if he is still part of your care team which I hope he is. An urgent care unit isn't really gonna know what to do for you. You're doctor is gonna wanna know what you ate and or, your activity at the time when the pain started, how severe, and how long it lasted. I would be cautious trusting an urgent care to my well being for this situation unless it is your only option. Good luck and feel better.