Hernia surgery & Lap band at the same time

[Startingover! 0]

I am scheduled June 17th for my lap band (yeah) and hernia repair. I was hoping to hear from anyone who has had a hernia repair with their lap band surgery? I was just wondering how the general experience differs from just the lap band?

[justmel1957 1]

I am scheduled June 17th for my lap band (yeah) and hernia repair. I was hoping to hear from anyone who has had a hernia repair with their lap band surgery? I was just wondering how the general experience differs from just the lap band?

What kind of hernia repair? There are different types. I had a hiatal hernia repiar w/ my banding and I am as thrilled with that, as I am the band. It always gave me such terrible reflux. I am delighted that it has been repaired. Easy recovery. I was back to work in 5 days. No problem.

[nip50 2]

I had three hernias repaired during my lapband procedure. Besides the extra incisions, I don't think the recovery time was much different. I had my procedure on a Thursday and was back to work the following Wednesday.

[Jodi_620 37]

I go in to be banded on Friday and I will be getting my hiatal hernia repaired as well. I was told that the surgery will take a little longer. I was also told that the shoulder pain may be worse or stick around for a few days longer than normal with the additional surgery, was that true for you all?

[luvinke 0]

I had a hiatal hernia repair with my band and I didn't know it until after the fact. I didn't experience any pain from it. I could have easily went back to work after about 5 days but I took a little more time off because I was sick of my job and wanted the break so I used my surgery as an excuse. I felt great afterwords. I have no regrets about any of the process. I love my band and I love the new me even more (I didn't think it was possible to love myself anymore than I did but I guess anything is possible). Best of luck to you all! Everything will be okay.:sad:

[illion 0]

My doctor had forewarned me that many people who are overweight also have hernias, and that he'd make the repairs while he was "in there" during the lapband procedure. Sure enough, I had one that I didn't even know about. He repaired it, and since I didn't know I had one to start with, I don't know if it made any difference in my recovery or not.. but I sure feel fine now, 4 months later.

[Startingover! 0]

What kind of hernia repair? There are different types. I had a hiatal hernia repiar w/ my banding and I am as thrilled with that, as I am the band. It always gave me such terrible reflux. I am delighted that it has been repaired. Easy recovery. I was back to work in 5 days. No problem.

I have a very large hiatal hernia that they will be repairing. Thanks for everyone's input. I am so excited. I feel like I'll be getting all fixed up at one time! I have suffered with terrible reflux for 9 years, so I'm almost as excited about the hernia repair as the lap band!

[justmel1957 1]

I have a very large hiatal hernia that they will be repairing. Thanks for everyone's input. I am so excited. I feel like I'll be getting all fixed up at one time! I have suffered with terrible reflux for 9 years, so I'm almost as excited about the hernia repair as the lap band!

I think you will find that it will make a huge difference. It sure did for me! No more fear of that scary night-time reflux! It is wonderful.

[Kay7 0]

I will be band on spet 19th looking forward to it. I will also have to have a hiatal herina repair? I feel just a little scared about recovery time because of 2 in 1 surgery. Will I feel sore for a few days or what?

[Jodi_620 37]

Kay,

There will not be any extra incisions due to the dual surgeries so you will not be any more sore than if you were only having Lap Band Surgery. Most people do not have any problems from Hiatal Hernia Repair a small number do and I was one of them. But it wasn't too bad once I knew that it was the hernia surgery that caused it (they didn't warn me about the side affect) and I was still back to work within a week. I am still unable to belch but it is no longer painful.

Like I said most people don't have any problems but I had difficulty breathing for about four days. It only happened when I would talk or move around. It was like I didn't have the strength to pull enough air into my lungs unless I was sitting still. I would also get spasms in my breathing where I would suddenly sort of make a sobbing noise,kinda embarrassing if you are in public. Both those issues lasted about a week. And I had off-and-on severe pain in my esophagus that would last a couple of seconds each time. It seemed like I needed to burp but would just get pain instead. I read an article somwhere on the web that said something like 40% of people who have hiatal hernia repair lose their inability to belch immediately after surgery and almost 20% never get that ability back. It has been over three months for me so I am guessing I will not be able to burp again but I can live with that. It seems like I hiccup more now.

Edited September 15, 2008 by Jodi_620

[ShrinkyDink 0]

I don't want to scare you, but I had a hiatal hernia repair with my lap band and I had a lot of pain afterwards. The first day was awful and I had several days of being very uncomfortable before I started to feel I had it under control. I don't know if they pain was from the hernia or from the band surgery, but it was much more than I expected to have. Still well worth it, but it was a surprise to me.