Question:
Has anyone had a hiatil hernia either pre-op or post-op if so what were your

syptoms with it? how was it treated? and can it go away on its own?    — Brigit B. (posted on June 10, 2001)

June 10, 2001
Hi Brigit, A hiatus hernia is usually associated with heartburn. "A hiatus hernia is when a part of the stomach protrudes into the chest area thru an opening in the diaphragm,the muscle that seperates the abdomen from the chest" (A Harvard Guide to Womens Health) I have severe acid reflux/heartburn and mine had to be controlled with surgery. While they were doing surgery for reflux they closed the hole and thus no more hiatus hernia. I do know that changing the diet does help with the symptoms for the heartburn and the hernia but I honestly don't know if the hernia can ever repair itself. I know my grandmother and father each have one(for years)and no one's ever done anything to correct other than diet. For me, being they were in there they closed it up. Best wishes
   — Linda M.

June 11, 2001
I found out that I HH while having tests done right before I had WLS in October 2000. Many people have HH and don't do anything about it, but it never goes away. As long as you change your eating habits, the heart burn/acid reflux will be less. I had TERRIBLE acid reflux prior to having the HH repaired and now....I haven't had heartburn in over 7 months and I probably never will again. I was fortunate enough to have the HH repaired during my WLS surgery.
   — Sandy V.

June 11, 2001
I also had an HH repaired while I was in for WLS. My doctor said that is such a common problem among overweight people that it is almost routine for them to repair during the surgery. I had reflux so bad, it was just awful. My diet didn't seem to make any difference and there were many nights when I awakened with bile in my sinuses. It was a real quality of life issue for me. The relief was immediate and truly awesome. Even if I didn't lose weight I would have been glad just for that.
   — blank first name B.