Hi! I haven't gotten a surgery date yet, and I've just stumbled upon this very interesting section of LBT. I have suffered from GERD for 15 years and I have a small hiatal hernia. Will this get worse with LB surgery? From a lot of the posts I've read, one of the main problems with the LB is reflux. I'm very scared now and wondering why my surgeon would think this is a good idea for me.

Thanks in advance! :crying:

Isn't the surgeon going to repair the hiatal hernia during LB surgery? Many ppl become reflux free when they change their eating habits to accomodate the band life style.

Mimi

Some people who have GERD before banding get relief afterward. Others develop reflux and heartburn from the band. That was me until I had a slight unfill. Disucss with your surgeon about repairing the hiatal hernia during surgery. If your reflux or heartburn gets worse after a fill, then you need to have some taken out. But about 80% of those banded develop reflux and heartburn after banding. So, you need to discuss all this with your doctor. Good luck.

Most surgeons will repair hernias during the lap-band surgery, speak to your surgeon and ask. Having that repaired will probably help with your GERD right off the bat.

As for reflux, I'm a believer in keeping my band on the looser side rather than tight, and after being banded for almost 2.5 years I have never had reflux. I get heartburn now and then, but no more than before banding....and a couple of Tums settles it down pretty much right away.

Patricia

Thanks, everyone! My surgeon said nothing about repairing the hernia during surgery. I think I need to have another talk with him. I am really hoping that the surgery will make my medical conditions better -- not worse! :tongue_smilie:

i have just been banded on march 20th. i had reflux problems before surg and my gasroentoligist recommended that i get the band done. i take prilocet twice a day and its been fine since yesterday. I got a bad cold with lots of coughing, and i think that is making my reflux bad due to the fact that i am healing. from what i understand, as long as ur band isn't too tight u shouldn't have a problem. i just think im still swollen, and once that goes away so will the problem.

good luck,

amy

Thanks, Amy! That gives me hope... and reminds me that I need to make an appointment with my gastroenterologist!

Congratulations on your banding!

no problem i have felt ur pain!!!

Personally I'd want the hernia repaired, you just read too many cases of people having horrid reflux with the band and there's so often a hernia involved.

I've never had reflux really apart from once when I got a bit too tight, I'd get slight discomfort after eating. A tiny unfill fixed that.

Personally I'd want the hernia repaired, you just read too many cases of people having horrid reflux with the band and there's so often a hernia involved.

I've never had reflux really apart from once when I got a bit too tight, I'd get slight discomfort after eating. A tiny unfill fixed that.

Yes, I've been reading a lot of the complications, and it can get a bit overwhelming. Thanks for your insight. I will definitely talk to the surgeon about this at my next appointment!

:smile2:

I had a teensy hiatal hernia that was found during my band procedure. I think it was repaired at that time, but I really don't know. I did have very frequent heartburn before banding. Things like cheese crackers and tomato based things gave me horrible heartburn. I can honestly say I have not had one day of heartburn since banding!! It really is amazing. I think the band helps to keep the acid in the lower part of your stomach, that way it can't "splash" up into the esophagus and give you that burning feeling. :smile2: