Question:
Can both be done at once?

I am hoping to have WLS surgery in about 6 months (there is a long waiting period in my area). I am reasonably sure that I have an abdominal hernia. I won't bore you with all the details and symptoms, but I have looked into it and am thinking that's what's wrong. My question is, does a bariatric surgeon also correct hernias? If no, what kind of doctor should I go to? If yes, can WLS and hernia repair surgery both be done at the same time? If my tummy wasn't so sore, I'd make a "buy one, get one free" joke but I don't want to laugh :o) Thanks for your answers, and sorry if this question has already been asked. Mea    — Mea A. (posted on April 1, 2003)

March 31, 2003
My Surgeon found a Hernia during my open RNY and repaired it. I had been feeling so lousy prior to surgery that I had no idea I even had a hernia.
   — George B.

March 31, 2003
Yes, he can. A bariatric surgeon is a general surgeon that just happens to do WLS.
   — Leslie F.

March 31, 2003
Yes, my surgeon find a hernia 3 days after my surgery and he went back in and repaired it!
   — Nicole C.

April 1, 2003
Make sure that the doc tests you before surgery to see if you have a hernia and agree with him that when he goes in he will repair it. I had a hernia that the surgeon did not know about ahead of time and he did not repair during surgery, thinking that it could wait until I have a tummy tuck. Well 5 days after lap RNY, I had to go back for emergency open surgery when my rerouted intestines were sucked into the hernia and twisted.
   — Cindy R.

April 1, 2003
Yes, my surgeon found two hernias I didn't even know I had and repaired them. That's one reason I had an open RNY so he could get a good view and fix anything else that needed to be done.
   — sandy L.