Hi Everyone, very happy to have found this sight - I am in the process of getting the date for my seminar- I have actually already seen a surgeon because I have a hiatal hernia and have been aspirating stomach acid into my lungs - really hurts - got bronchitis almost pneumonia from it - so I was considering the nissen fundoplication proceedure, after talking with the surgeon he suggested I go to the seminar before I make my decision about the nissen or the lap band - i have struggled with my weight for about 15-20 years now, i am 46 - i hope to hear next week about the dat of the seminar - i am in alabama but am going to Vanderbilt - has anyone else been there? Am going to read the posts now - look forward to knowing ya'll better - Beth

Welcome to LBT yorkie! Nice to have you!

Everyone here is awesome, and the information is great! It helped me so much with my journey from pre-banding until this day.

I'm curious though, what is a "nissen fundoplication proceedure"? Is that a bariatric surgery? I've never heard of that.

HI, Thanks for replying - it is a proceedure to "cure" hiatal hernia and 95% of the proceedures cure ruflux - I have had GERD sine I was 16 and I am 46 now. Mine has been getting worse now I am aspirating the acid into my lungs so something has to be done. I have been told by several surgeons that the lap band will do the same thing for me and it being adjustable may be easier than the nissen proceedure - where my stomach would be wrapped around my esophagus creating a tight band - but no fills - you just get the tightness and cannot burp or vomit again. I am now being schedule for a esophageal motility study - did you have to have that done before your surgery - the surgeon at Vanderbilt told me I have to have this done no matter which surgery I choose. Right now am definately leaning toward the band. Beth

Beth, thank you so much for explaining that to me. I'd heard of the procedure but I guess never heard the clinical name for it.

Best wishes on that, however you decide to have it fixed for you.

No, I never had to have the esophageal motility study, only underwent the barium test. Very interesting indeed! My Doctor does both Bands and Bypass, and he only performed the Upper GI on his Bypass patients. Us banders got away nicely!

Hi Beth

I too am new here. I was reading about your hiatal hernia ordeal. I just had the last of my tests (EGD) done for my banding. I found out that I too have a hiatal hernia. My surgeon told me he would fix mine when he put my band on. I suffer from reflulx real bad too. I am 3 months into my 6 month required supervised diet. Our stories are a lil similar.

I would love to make new friends. Would love to keep chatting.

Michele