Impact On Hiatal Hernia?

[theosmom 9]

Hello and thanks for this forum!

Does anyone know whether having a hiatal hernia has any impact on whether you can have gastric sleeve? I suffer from terrible GERD and recently had a barium test showing the hiatal hernia - which I understand is very common and a common cause of GERD. Wondering if it would keep me from being able to have a GS or would GS have any impact on the HH?

My sister is having GS 12/21/12 - she is 5'4" 200lbs, 60yrs old. She has co-morbidity issues of bhp, high cholesterol and borderline diabetes and her insurance is covering her procedure.

I'm 5'8" 195-200lbs and 50 yrs old. I know I'm not as heavy, but have been losing and gaining weight over and over for 20 years. I'm so sick of this cycle of weight loss and gain. I can literally lose 20 and then have it back on plus more in 4 months. I'm seriously considering having sleeve just to help me end the cycle. I have depression & back/neck pain. I've had a breast reduction and twice tried Lipo. I just can't keep weight off. I can white knuckle it to lose the weight for a while, but then I just fall off the wagon and spiral out of control. This has so taken a toll on my self-esteem and self-worth. I spend a great deal of time in my head feeling like a gross failure. I'm otherwise a really together person, but my weight is my one sticking point that I cannot deal with by will power alone. I'm a classic over-eater. Our mother and grandmother are/were both diabetic, so I know that I have that looming in my future if I don't get my weight under control.

If I can afford to have GS, should I do it and end this cycle? Does anyone know what the procedure cost in the US? I'm not interested in going to Mexico.

Thank you so much for your help and responses.

Mari

[jillb 45]

I had a hernia as well and they fix it when you have surgery. I suffered from gerd for over 20 years. Two years ago the did the Nissen Fundiplication (sp). It came undone so I went to my surgeon to have it redone. He suggested the sleeve and to repair the new hernia. I had surgery Oct 17th. I have not had any issues with gerd at all. I am off all my meds for gerd. So to answer your question... Yes, you can and they will also fix the hernia.

If you have insurance it will pay for the hernia repair and the added cost for the sleeve will be much less than if you just go in and have a sleeve done. My friend paid cash for her sleeve but when they went in they found a hernia and repaired it. This got her a $6,500 refund!

[CaliKat 153]

We sound alike in many ways- I was a volume eater.. Technically obese but never looked like it. Massive quantities of food at a time, still healthy but about to cross a line into diabetes or HBP land.

I started having terrible reflux about a year before VSG and had no control over it. The surgeon found and fixed a moderate hiatal hernia durring my VSG at no additional charge- I haven't had a single instance of reflux since then... Nothing, nada, zero.

My surgeon was located in CA- amazing surgeon and I would do it again in a heartbeat and frankly, the cost was a drop in the bucket compared to a life of obesity.

Good luck on your decision and feel free to PM me if you seek additional info.

[ShrinkyDinkMe22 376]

The hernia is definitely not a deal breaker for surgery. Lots on here Get theirs repaired during surgery. I will be having sleeve, hernia and gallbladder. Yikes

[Peggylou 44]

I was cash pay in Texas. Total cost $11000. He repaired my hernia as well. I'm gonna fight with insurance for a partial refund now! Good luck I also weighed just at 200lbsthe day I had surgery. 7 wks 30lbs gone!

[theosmom 9]

Thank you so much for your responses. I'm really consumed with thinking about this. I keep thinking "why can't I take off 40 dang lbs and keep it off, that would solve my problem." But, I've done it so many times only to be back where I was at within months. I can be throwing out jeans in May and re-buying the same size in Jan.

When you pay out of your own pocket, do you still go thru the same steps re: psychiatrist, etc. I know my primary dr will not be supportive. He's super conservative and would want me to do it on my own.

I had a killer night of heartburn last night, up all night taking tums and hoping it was over. Of course, it's my fault for eating too much and too late at night. Sucks!

Thanks again!

[Vidalia 122]

My surgeon fixed a hiatal hernia when he did my sleeve that I didn't know I had. He said he fixes a hiatal hernia in about 80% of his sleevers.