Concerned about Hernia

[Dalene 0]

Hello Everyone,

I decided to join the forum today! I have been reading for weeks and have obtained a lot a great information. I have one appointment left on Friday (Psych Counselor) before surgeon meets with me to review all the test and submit to Insurance. I am very excited and nervous as a Hianal Hernia was found yesterday on my UGI test. I was just told that this will be repaired at the same time as the Lapband surgery. Can this cause any Post Op problems?

Has anyone had this situation happen to them?

[LundyLane 0]

I had one found at the time of my surgery, had no idea I had it, Doctor said he fixed it and it won't cause me any problems but would have if left alone.

[larakathyleen 0]

I also had a h. hernia found when I was banded last Wednesday. I had no idea it was there. Anyway, I am on day 7 and feel completely fine. No pain, gas, or really any sign other than my scars that I had surgery a week ago.

[Jodi_620 37]

Yes, I had hiatal hernia repair with lap band surgery. Many people have minimal problems with it, mainly more shoulder pain for longer period of time was the only concern that I was given. Hopefully you will be part of the fortunate majority.

Unfortunately I had more recovery problems with it than what I was told, I had breathing problems where I could not walk or talk for too long without becoming breathless (hiatal hernia is on your diaphragm which is the muscle you use to breath). This lasted for about five days. I also had very painful episodes where I would feel in my stomach,the urge to belch but the belch would not come up and I would instead get a severe pain up my esophogus into my chest. . This lasted about 5-6 days. This is called Gas Bloat and happens to about 40% of patients; 19 days later, I still am physically unable to belch but now I just feel the sensation in my stomach like I am going to burp followed by slight pressure; no pain. I think that I needed to throw up one time but I was unable to, just a gaggy feelign with a creeping feeling in my esophagus but nothing came up.

I am wondering if this Gas Bloat will cause problems when I get to solid foods. Most bandsters have PB ing to let them know when they didn't eat right...if I can't belch or throw up what will happen? From what I have been able to find on it is that it usually improves "over time" and is rarely long-term.

Edited June 19, 2008 by Jodi_620

[HeatherO 7]

I had a hiatal hernia repair as well. I was in excellent health with a BMI of about 40 at the time of surgery. I had an endoscopy done before surgery in preparation for surgery that showed the hiatal hernia and also showed that I had h-pylori (bacteria that can cause stomach ulcers if not treated) and had to take antibiotics to get rid of it.

There were 6 people who had surgery done on the same day as I did and we met the day following surgery in a meeting to cover post banding lifestyle. We all discussed how things went for us and I found I was the only one with a hernia repair. I found that I took over an hour longer to recover and return to my room where my husband was waiting after surgery. I also had a very purple stain from the corner of my mouth on the right down my neck, around the shoulder and on my back. It was stained into my skin and took 2 days before it went away with a lot of scrubbing by nurses and my husband. Evidently I must have vomited this substance during the surgery. Everyone else recovered quickly and no one had an issue with vomiting during surgery. Really it was not a big difference . . . an additional hour of recovery coupled with not looking very attractive in the hospital with a purple stain down the side of my face.

The doctor said there were no issues with the surgery, hernia repair went as planned and everything looked great.

For a few days, I was the same as everyone else until I got home (and probably because I was no longer taking anything for the pain). The day I got home, the incisions were sore and my abdominals were sore in general but it felt like I had been kicked by a horse in my left neck and shoulder region. It was a continuous sharp pain which would definitely worsen with any deep breaths or by eating. I read about left shoulder pain being normal post surgery as gas dissapates and it should go away quickly during the days following surgery. This pain lasted for about 6 weeks. Tylenol never helped it at all. The only relief I got was with massage and a hot bath soaking my neck and shoulders in very hot Water just deep enough to not get my incisions wet.

Eventually it went away. I still get an occasional twinge in my left shoulder area if I eat a little too much but it is not bad. I eventually learned that there is a nerve in the diaphragm that causes this pain. Evidently the hernia repair aggravated the area and caused the pain.

OK, so it was very uncomfortable . . . and I was worried for a while that something was really wrong with me post surgery because I could get no relief week after week. However, I would do the surgery again in a heartbeat. I made it through, my hernia is a thing of the past and the weight is coming off really great.

After reading tons of posts, I have found that a lot of people with the left shoulder pain which is worse than usual or lasts for weeks have had hernia repairs as well.