Dr. says RNY for hiatal hernia :-(

terrriho · February 28, 2007

Hi Jason,

I was banded on 2-12 with a HH repair. I am just now getting back to LBT as it has been a long recovery and certainly one I didn't expect. I don't think I have seen any posts similar to mine so I thought you might like to know what mine was like. I was banded with the medium size band (10) and had the HH repair in the AM and was feeling pretty good by afternoon. My surgeon requires a barium swallow test the next morning before release. I knew I was tight but the barium slammed me shut. I had severe swelling in the chest/abdominal cavity. I spent the next four days in the hospital on an IV not able to swallow anything, including saliva. I was very uncomfortable because the only tolerable position was sitting up straight. Beds are not made for sitting and chairs are not made for sleeping. My first few days at home while a blessed relief from the hospital were worrisome because I still wasn't getting enough fluids and I was vomiting 2-3 times/day. I always felt like I was extremely full all the way to the top of my throat, I had a lot of pressure on my chest, and I had that overfull belly feeling: all a disincentive to drink anything. The liquid pain and nausea medication made me sick so they weren't much help. 7 days after surgery I had a break through with hot tea, finding that was going through. For all that time, the only thing I consumed was Water. I am doing much better now but my one week off work extended to two and I am only working half days this week. My surgeon told me that he debated about putting the smaller band on me but chose the medium sized one. He also offered to replace my band for a bigger one (while I was still hospitalized) but I decided I was already a couple days down this road so I would see it out and I am glad I did (even though my misery index was running pretty high).

I know many people on this board have had both the band and HH repair without any significant side affects so I am sure I am an extreme case but I am sure I am not the first or the last extreme case. Good luck with your banding and HH repair, I believe you have a lot of confidence in your doctor and he seems to be very cautious about what he promises you.

Good Journey,

Terri

kwhenrykerr · February 28, 2007

Did your Doctor say why you had so much trouble?

terrriho · March 1, 2007

kwhenrykerr,

My one regret at this point was not thinking enough to ask my surgeon why this happened. I was dealing with what was happening and how to minimize it. He did say that he had one patient suffer for 7 days with extreme swelling and he was right on when he said it would take two weeks for the swelling to subside (although I was consuming liquids comfortably in 9 days). Finding out why is one of my priorities when I return for a fill (I live 4 hours from my surgeon).

Good Journey,

Terri

kwhenrykerr · March 1, 2007

Terri, I wish you all the best and will follow your post to keep learning. Thanks for the reply.

lapbanderNC · March 22, 2007

I was banded on February 7, 2007. My doctor fixed my hiatal hernia at the same time I was banded. Most importantly, he was honest enough to bill me only for the band and submitted the hernia to the insurance company. At the end I just paid 5.500.00 for the banding. ( I was self-pay for the band)

louise162 · March 22, 2007

I had an enormous hiatal hernia; the hole was about 2-3" in diameter. My surgeon repaired it and then placed the band. My recovery was longer and it was quite painful afterwards. I'm 5 weeks post op now and feel the best I've done for 10 years. Definitely find another doctor if he insists on the bypass; it's your body after all!