Question:
i had wls 7/2006 in NY. I moved to NC in 2007. I have been diagnosed with an abdomina

i had wls 7/2006 in NY. I moved to NC in 2007. I have been diagnosed with an abdominal hernia which is becoming quite painful. Should I look for a bariatric surgeon to fix it or should I rely on a general surgeon? I want someone who is familiar with my new insides to work on me.    — V L. (posted on June 16, 2008)

June 16, 2008
Ask your new Weight Loss surgeon, they usually do that, they are general surgeons. Ask your PCP also. It is usually taken care of by a general surgeon.
   — dyates2948

June 16, 2008
Hi, First..I have not yet had my surg..but I have been very fortunate to have found a very wonderful WL support group in my area. What I have learned from them is it is very important to have your surgical notes from the original Dr. It was brought to my attention at a meeting that this is something we should ALL have. As well as a medical alert tag of some kind. A thought would be to see if your original surgeon is able to referr you and send/fax you or the new DR. your info. Wish you well.
   — tootsie52

June 16, 2008
I am not a medical expert, so don't take my advice as if it was from one, but from what I can gather from what you have written, you seem to be suffering from an abdominal hernia, correct? This is in no way connected to the intestines, but is a tear in the abdominal muscles. From what I have experienced, and from talking to my wife who IS a medical professional (she is a Nurse Practitioner), there would be no reason to involve a bariatric surgeon for this type of surgery. There my be some type of bizarre reason that something completely unrelated to what the surgeon was doing could go wrong, something like an accident where he slipped and accidentally ruptured your bowel, where he would need to KNOW that you have HAD the surgery, but an expert on bariatric procedures is generally NOT needed for this type of surgery. Even in the case that I just mentioned, he would not be needed. It would just be necessary for the doctors attending you to KNOW of the surgery for you to be covered. The doctor should NOT be messing with your intestines, just sewing the torn muscle back together in your abdomen. If you are speaking of a HIATAL hernia, then you are speaking of something altogether DIFFERENT! THAT is a hernia in the stomach ITSELF. THERE, you NEED to have a specialist who is familiar with the type of surgery that you have working on you. He may not need to be a bariatric surgeon, but he needs to know what he is dealing with and be FAMILIAR with bariatric patients and their special needs. I hope this helps, Hugh
   — hubarlow

June 18, 2008
I had my surgery in 2003, and in March 2008 i was doiagnosed with an abdominal hernia and intussusception as well. Same situation, I had my surgery in Miami, and am now living in Michigan, but I didn't find out about the hernia until it was to late so I had emergency surgery in Michigan with a general surgeon, I will tell you that they did have to cut and surgery did take longer because I was a bariatric patient, and stuff was everywhere.
   — Vanessadelpino