Hiatus Hernia after Lap Band surgery

Hi Everyone,

Wondering if anyone has experienced having a hiatus hernia after they have had the lap band surgery?  I have had the lap band for 5 years and just discovered that I have a hiatus hernia.  It has been really bothering me; sever heartburn, chest pain and nausea.  Anyone else experience this and what are you doing for it?

Hi, I had a large hiatal hernia repaired with my surgery and haven't had reflux since.  It's been wonderful. 

I think Jean M. has a hiatal hernia that wasn't repaired with her banding.  Maybe she could let you know if she's taking anything for reflux IF she has it, I don't know.

Have you talked with your band surgeon?

I too had a small hiatal hernia repaired during my lapband. Had been suffering slight nausia, something I'd never had, and now it is gone.  Thanks Dr. W!!!!!!!!

Hi, I have had terrible problems with acid reflux and heartburn ever since I got banded.  In the last 5 years I have had many medical problems and 4 different surgeries (gallbladder, 2 back surgeries and most recently a small surgery to remove a piece of tubing left in my stomach after a previous surgery). 

I live very far from my band surgeon (26 hours) and it is quite expensive to go see him, but he has been great at corresponding with me.  With my back problems I was very sick, bed ridden for more then a month and vomitting daily.  I went down to 101 lbs!  My ideal weight is around 150 so you can imagine how thin I was.  I have had my band unfilled for over a year now and have gained back too much weight; I am now at 160-165.  I exercise, etc but can't seem to lose the weight.

Best of all the stomach pain, chest pain, heart burn, etc. I had a barium swallow done and discovered that I have a large hiatus hernia.  My band doctor says that my band is fine and I can now get a fill.  My problem is that I am too scared to get a fill becuase I have such bad chest pain and heartburn after eating a meal or some solid foods.  I am assuming this is because of the hernia as my band is fine?  My band doctor doesn't seem to be concerned with the hernia, but my general doctor is.  She wants me to see another doctor about having the hernia repair, but I was just wondering if anyone has have a hernia repaired after they had the band?

Sorry the post is so long!

Gosh, you have been through so much.  I'm sorry I don't know of anyone that's had a hiatal hernia repaired after the band is in place. Your symptoms sound miserable.  I would look into seeing if it is possible to repair the hernia with your band in place.  I just would want the surgeon to know what he/she was doing and not mess up the band. 

Don't be sorry about your long post.  Hope someone can help you.

Kristi

 I developed a whopping big one several years after I got my band, mainly caused by losing TOO fast (go figure!) I had hellacious reflux at night and was vomiting about 10 times a day because of it.

I had it repaired in 2008 and, at the same time, had my old 2003-era, 4mm band replaced with a new 100cc one. Other than trying to lose the weight that came back on from my eating when my band was empty pre- and post-surgery, I'm doing fine. 

Wow Bette,  I didn't know that.  I'm glad they were able to fix the hernia.

Hi.

I just found out today that I have a hiatal hernia. I also had the lap band surgery done 5 yrs ago.
I experienced the same symptoms as you do.
My doc. is recommending tests and probably medication. I am trying to avoid surgery but if meds. don't work I will have to have surgery.

I developed a hiatal hernia after being banded, too. I still have one and it feels awful if I don't take the medication my gastroenterologist prescribed for me----DEXILANT. It works quite well for the symptoms of hiatal hernias. I don't know that it actually repairs anything, but I notice a difference when I don't take it.  There are definitely mixed reviews on it and it's costly... but I received a discount card when I registered online and with insurance, I pay only $15 for a month's supply, so I recommend looking into getting the discount card, if you decide to see a doc and have it prescribed.

I just found out after 7 yearsago having my lap band surgery have a hiatus Hernia.  The doctor I now have since mine moved to SC, is recommending Nexium Anyone out there like myself?  Would love somefeed back...

Susan, NJ