Hiatal Hernia Support Group

So sorry, for all you are going through. This is not an answer for you unfortunately. I would like to know how bad it got for you to be having an operation. Mine seems pretty drastic and I really don't know how far one should take these things, with the risk of strangulation. What has pushed it to the operation level?

1st of there are alot of factors..which surgery are you going to have the open...where they cut you open or laproscopic...if you have it done laproscopic...healing time is alot quicker...
2cd thing is if you have the surgery...how will they wrap the stomach...will they do a partial wrap or a full wrap...these are questions if he doesnt tell you...
if you are greatly concern go and meet with some other drs and get their opinion...I did....I saw maybe 4 drs and they all told me that i was at risk to have the hiatal strangulate....the risk was really high...so I really had no choice...gastristis may be an issue after surgery...discuss it with the dr before surgery.....good luck and keep us posted...DEb

I will be seeing another surgeon for second opinion next week, and must make a decision soon. My pain level is becoming more constant throughout the day. My main symptoms are chest pains and upper stomach pains. Please note: I was on one Prilosec per day and very healthy. While doing yard work in April, I lifted a heavy stump and felt a rip or tear in my chest, and thought I had pulled a muscle. However, I felt fine until the next day or two when I started getting these GERD symptoms. My doctor said it is possible that I may have made an existing hernia worse. However, the first surgeon I saw said lifting objects had nothing to do with a "hiatal" hernia. When I ask him why I have the hiatal hernia, he could not give an answer other than "luck". This guy has 28 years of experience and well respected. I was disappointed, not because he didn't tell me what I wanted to hear, but because of his cavalier attitude towards my concerns. Again, I was feeling fine one day and not fine the next day and I don't think it was a coincidence. I truly believe the lifting (though it did not cause the hernia) made it much worse & caused severe symptoms.

Please keep me updated on your progress, and I hope everything goes well for you. Note: If you do intend to have this surgery I would take another look at my first question about side effects. Once you accept the fact that it must be done, it would be a good idea to research how you are going to deal with the side effects.

Hi Deb,
I just saw your reply (after I responded to Shantarn).Thank you for the info, and the questions to ask. The first surgeon says it will be a full wrap and done laproscopically. I would prefer a partial wrap but I am not receiving any positive feedback on this from the various doctors I have seen. Can you tell me if you have a sliding hiatal hernia? I understand the other kind, espohagael hernias (sp?), are more apt to strangulate.

Please keep me posted as I do appreciate the support. Incidentally, I went to spring training in Sarasota for my first time this year & got to see the Reds & Yankees play. Those were happier times.

Sorry you are having to go through this. I too had the same problem. I had it repaired with a laprascopic full wrap this past April. All went well..upper GI discomfort / spasm and Gerd are gone. As far as belching, that is the first question my surgeon asked me when I went back for 2 week follow-up appt after the surgery. He wanted to make sure I was belching..that way he knew the full wrap wasnt too tight. In having it done via lapraspopic,recovery is much faster. He let me go back to work in 6 weeks. You tend to fill up a lot faster when you eat since the top of your stomach is wrapped so, I eat small meals ( 5-6) throughout the day. I hope this helped.. look up " Laprascopic Nissen" on the web. You should be able to find more info and pics... Take Care !

Thank you, Angelic46. This is the kind of information I am looking for. I have researched this procedure endlessly. Over the last 3 months, it has been extremely difficult for me to accept this situation. Don't know what I would have done without my wife. She has been my greatest supporter. I see the second surgeon next week, and hope to have more information. At this point, surgery is inevitable. This is why I am researching the side effects, so I have an idea of what to expect. Your information has been very helpful. Take care, and please keep me updated on your progress.

I am not happy today! I was doing so well but my symptoms have kicked in much worse today. Constant pain now all along under rib cage and stomach feels hard now - aside from being bloatd which it always is. Really hurting. Oh boy! I just vomited again. Been dizzy again this morning. I am trying to sit as straight as I can and hope it eases off. I hate to think this is going to end in surgery! Then I have the hassle of trying to make sure its keyhole and also worried about the mesh they use. I am really chemical sensitive and it is advised on many websites to be concerned about the mesh in this case. Well I will see how it pans out. At the moment I have made doctors appointment for Monday.

I think we could all do without this condition, Why can't I just have a sore toe or something?

Sorry to hear that you are having a rough time of it lately, shantarn. Hopefully, you're doctor can come up with the right combination of medicines which will work for you.

Since the outcomes of the fundoplication do effect people differently, it is hard to know which is best: surgery or managing the existng pain. Where is that "fine line"?

Working with your doctor and drawing upon the experiences and support of others will help tremendously.

Keep us posted on your progress.

Update: I saw the second surgeon today for a follow up to the barium swallow which he ordered last week. The result was a surprise, to say the least.

First, let me put the number of tests into perspective. My physician referred me to the GI Specialist. The GI Spec. ordered a CCK-Hid-a-scan to rule out a gall bladder problem (and the result?: no problems). He then performed the Endoscopy which showed a "large hiatal hernia". A biopsy was done that the same time which determined Barrett’s Esophagus. I was placed on PPIs (prilosec)and that was it.

Since the meds were not working, the GI referred me to Surg #1 who, based on the info from the GI, was ready to operate. He is a well respected surgeon with over 25 years since graduating. He knew I was concerned about this surgery, and referred me to another surgeon - #2 – for consultation.

Here's the curve ball: Sugeon #2 ordered a barium swallow to get an idea of the size of the hernia, and to have an x-ray to view. The test was Friday, and I saw him today for the follow up (or what I thought would be confirmation of what we already knew). He emphatically stated there is no hernia and no sign of reflux. He stated that surgery at this point is not recommended. He will send this report to my physician, GI spec, and to surgeon #1. I let him know that based on my research that the endoscopy is much more reliable in detecting GERD and hiatal hernias than the barium swallow. However, he said he stands by his diagnosis. This guy graduated from John Hopkins over 30 years ago and has an impressive background in gastro. Diseases & Currently the Chair of a Gastro. Diseases at a University. I am reluctant to mention names at this point - until I can figure out what the heck is going on.

The follow up plan is for me to go back to my GI (or another GI) to have another endoscopy to find out why these pains persist. It will either verify or refute the findings of the barium swallow. From there we move forward accordingly. Sorry for the long-winded message, but maybe it will help someone.

I think I know what Charlie Brown, the cartoon character, meant when he said:

GOOD GRIEF!

Good grief is right!! What a sequence. It may be that your prayers are answered and you won't have that operation. So it seems that the Endoscopy was not as good as the barium meal. But how can that be. Surely if they said they saw a large hernia? I am not a doctor person - but still you would think that test would have been accurate. I do feel sorry for all your misdiagnosis - but maybe it will work out for the best that you got that second opinion. Just as well you told the doctor you weren't happy to have the operation.

I am having an ultra sound on Wednesday.

By the way, what is Barrett’s Esophagus.