Anyone with a hiatal hernia and GERD??

I am presurgery with insurance approval to get the surgery. My surgeon decided to order some more tests to be done on my stomach because I have a hiatal hernia and GERD. The results of the tests will determine if I can get the Rouen-N-Y surgery. I asked him if the hernia could be a problem with this surgery and he said "yes." I am wondering if anyone else has had any issues with having a hiatal hernia and GERD, and how this has effected getting your surgery decision. Any other feedback on this topic would be welcome! THANKS~   Barb

I had a hiatal hernia when I had my open RnY surgery in Oct 01; not discovered til surgery.  They fixed the problem during surgery, which is common.  I haven't had anymore reflux since then.  Sudy postop, Oct 01 down 170 lbs

Barb, I've fixed a lot of hiatal hernias during either band or bypass, I've never not been able to operate on someone because of the presence of one.  I think your odds are pretty good! Good luck, Dr. Trace Curry   -    Cincinnati, Ohio Got a question?  Ask the doctor at www.LapBand.MD 10475 Reading Road Suite 117, Cincinnati, OH 45241 (877) 442-BAND(v)    (513) 559-1235(f) DISCLAIMER:  If am not your surgeon, any comments made by me are not meant to be taken as medical advice, just general guidelines.  Contact your surgeon about your specific problem!

Dr. Curry-

Thank you for your feedback. It is appreciated. Hopefully after these tests (upper GI and Esophogram) I will be able to get a surgery date.

One other piece of infor here is that I have "many, many stomach ployps" as evidenced through an endoscopy not too long ago. They are located in the mid to upper stomach area. It is thought that they are caused from taking Prevacid for many years. They are benign and thought to remain that way. My surgeon had these reports and didnt seem as concerned as he was about the GERD/hernia issue.

I will be 50 soon. Do you think my age has something to do with this? Perhaps he is concerned that I might have achalasia?? I do have some problems with regurgitation at night. If I do have achalasia, would this then rule out repairing the hernia and the gastric bypass surgery?  Again, thank you for your response. Barb

If you have achalasia you definitely can't get a band.  Maybe a bypass.  If you have numerous stomach polyps I would lean more towards band so they can be surveyed with endoscopy. Dr. Trace Curry   -    Cincinnati, Ohio Got a question?  Ask the doctor at www.LapBand.MD 10475 Reading Road Suite 117, Cincinnati, OH 45241 (877) 442-BAND(v)    (513) 559-1235(f) DISCLAIMER:  If am not your surgeon, any comments made by me are not meant to be taken as medical advice, just general guidelines.  Contact your surgeon about your specific problem!