Question:
Can you live with a hiatal hernia and still have gastric bypass?

Yesterday, I had an endoscopy because of my GERD, which I have had problems with for a couple of years now. Well, they said I do not have Barrett's-sp?-esophagus, but I have ulcers in there. They said they can repair it surgically, but that I will never be able to vomit again! Has anyone else been told this? I am wondering if I can just leave it and still have RNY. I am not a pukey person, but what if I had the flu or something? I have an appt Monday with a bariatric surgeon, and I will ask him, I just want to know if anyone has had this procedure and know of this situation. Thank you. sms    — suzi s (posted on March 24, 2006)

March 24, 2006
I have had gerd for many many years, I ended up with a hiatial hernia and barrettsand ulcers on my esophagus. My surgeon said we have to wait for the ulcers to heal and he would take care of the hernia and I would have to get scoped ever 6 mos to watch the barretts. Im on 2 different meds to control the acid and stopped the vomiting. Any questions e-mail me. Chris
   — Cally S.

March 24, 2006
I have Barrettes, 12 years and had a nissan wrap, once done, no rny, a DS, which Aetna will make a acception for because of the wrap, thank goodness. got a hiatal, have the wls surgeon fix it. while hes doing the wls. got barrettes, dont mess around, it is very dangerus, edos every 6 m for 2 years every year for next 5, and every 2 for the rest of your life. the Nissan wrap will stop gerd , but the fundus that is wrapped around the esop is where the pouch would be,.once done, it should be permant, and so a DS is the wls of choice. and I found only two doctors willing to do it see my profile, been to Nine surgeons. and all refered me to NYPresb. it will be a tough operations. been done before, by him.
   — walter A.

March 24, 2006
No, the surgeon will do his or her best to repair the hiatal hernia. I had one and it was fixed. I have not had any issues with GERD PO. I am close to 3 years out. For most people the surgeon is able to repair the problem.
   — ChristineB

March 25, 2006
Yes, you can. After RNY, you do not vomit normally anyway, because you no longer have gastric juices, only what is in your pouch. Should not be a problem. Ask your surgeon. Becky
   — blm4602

March 25, 2006
I was diagnosed with ulcers when they did my endoscopy prior to surgery. I already knew I had a hyatle hernia. The surgeon would not do the surgery until the ulcer was healed and he corrected the hernia when he did the wls. It took me 6 weeks to heal the ulcer on an extremely bland diet. Talk to your surgeon about your options. Good luck
   — tazfan