Abdominal Hernia

[KiwiJim 13]

At my consultation my surgeon said I should get my hernia sorted after my weight loss op. I thought you could get both operations done together for an extra cost. Can anyone enlighten me. Surgery is 3rd June.

[kristieshannon 1,544]

Is it a hiatal hernia or an abdominal wall muscle hernia? Hiatal hernias can be fixed during your WLS. Abdominal wall muscle hernia repairs are often done as part of a Tummy Tuck.

[RickM 1,747]

It likely depends upon where the hernia is. As noted, if it's a hiatal hernia, where the stomach is being pulled up through the abdominal wall, that will be repaired along with your WLS as they pretty much can't do one without the other. If it's elsewhere on the abdominal wall, then it may depend upon where it is and whether it's in the way of the WLS procedure; something like an umbilical hernia they will usually fix at the same time as they often cut through that area to do the WLS. If it's elsewhere on the abdominal wall that's not directly in their way, then they may or may not fix it; from what I have seen, they will usually fix it even if it's not directly in their way to avoid putting you through the stress of another anesthesia event and recovery.

I would certainly prefer to get both done at the same time, but there may be extenuating circumstances as to why that isn't appropriate in your case, or it may just be your surgeon's preference (does he get paid more by doing two procedures?) If you have the opportunity in your health system, I would get a second opinion on it from a different surgeon - maybe he agrees with the first (ideally) or maybe he has a better idea, or doesn't have a problem doing both at once.

[mgt3boys 24]

My hernia wasn’t detected until surgery, but my surgeon repaired it while he was in there. However, came back again and was fixed again when I had my gallbladder removed and unfortunately it’s back again.