Hiatus Hernia Surgery

I am honestly terrified of the surgery and would like to avoid having a wrap. In fact, the surgeon who performed the endoscopy himself recommended against taking it because it has a high rate of complications. I'm very happy to hear someone's surgery went well, but at the same time, I've heard that many people who end up having their operation re-done end up getting it tighter or having different surgeries(like ones where the stomach is cut up into partitions).

I looked more into the diaphragm grafting technique and it seems there is some risk involved with it causing problems swallowing because it's around the esophagus, so maybe it isn't a good option either. I will having a consultation soon and I'll discuss the idea with them and hopefully post here again if the thread is still alive with what they say.

Looking on the internet you'd think nobody's surgery ever went properly, but I suppose it's only natural that people without problems don't post as much. Thanks again for that, it's encouraging to hear if I do end up getting the surgery.

You seem to not fully understand the nissan fundoplication operation. People with hiatus hernias their stomach has punctured through the diaphragm and for some into their chest cavities. During the operation, the stomach will be pulled down below the hiatus and the diaphragm repaired. Depending on the size of the hernia, it is stitched and reinforced with biological grafts or mesh. Then the surgeon will take the top part of the stomach and turn it on itself so its like knot so it won't slip back through the diaphragm. For some people it is done floppily and for others it is done tightly. This know is where the skill of the surgeon comes into play. It also depends on the the oesophagus and motility. Some people have motility issues and therefore their wrap is loose. A lot of factors come into play so it is important to have all the tests, barium swallows, ph and manometry testing and the endoscopy so the surgeon has a fully account of the motility and any other issues he needs to know during the repair. He can just repair the diaphragm but it is an issue of how long it lasts. You also need to choose a surgeon who has the necessary skill and knowledge to repair it properly, best done by a bariatric surgeon. Many of these who complain on the internet may have other underlying problems as most people who have it done don't usually surf websites to post how well it went. There is a website called healing well under gerd and they have a really good support network as well as many members giving a blow blow account of their operation and all that happens afterwards.

Hope this helps you what what what.

I had my Giant Hiatus Hernia repair and partial wrap surgery carried out on 4th December. I was told by 2 consultants and the anaesthetist after that it was a Big operation and all my stomach was in my chest cavity which needed to be pulled down and the diaphragm stitched up (I'm told no gauze or other materials used as can cause problems). The Op done to sort out the problems I was experiencing for years and years; Growling feeling when breathing, stomach, chest and back pains, breathlessness when bending over with feeling of heart palpitations and I had been passing black stools which caused anaemia. Loads of tests done and on all sorts of meds for ever. As stomach in chest Op had to be done!

Anyways I was in hospital for 2 nights post op. The 5 small wounds were pretty itchy and I was given 3 types of pain meds.; Tramadol, Ibuprofen and Co-Codamol all liquid or dissolvable. . I was surprised to get them and I tried not taking them but have had to resort to them a few times since.

As I had years of problems I expect recovery to be slow and am trying to keep a positive head about post op symptoms; currently am having loads of wind and gurgling (sounds like a bad drain), some pain in the middle of chest, some discomfort when stomach empty and some pain after eating. Drinking water helps a bit, keeping a little food in stomach helps. Had soup for Christmas, Cream of Chicken yum yum.

Have just started on less sloppy food such as shepherds pie, tonight will try spaghetti bolognaise. Before today found could only eat soup and mash spuds and gravy best thing to eat. Lying on right side helps try to sleep like this and have lost about 6kg in weight. - Early days yet and follow up with surgeon in two weeks time.... I will post an update sometime in say 2 weeks after seeing the consultant...

best wishes to all .......

I had the Nissen Fundoplication procedure done last Monday and even after 5 days I am feeling so much better. The operation was at St Peters in Chertsey and was done by a brilliant surgeon Mr S Irukulla. I was in the operating theatre at 10.00am and was on the recovery ward at 1.30pm. The IV drips and stomach drain tube out of nose was a bit uncomfortable but were all removed after 24 hours. I was discharged soon after these were removed.

I had 5 keyhole incisions which have all healed nicely. I stopped taking the painkillers as they were making me feel more sick that the op itself. I can manage with the mild discomfort now. I'm on a sloppy diet and I can see how nice modern day food mush seem to a baby. But, I've started to eat small lumps of moist chicken and that's going down with no problems. It's important that you get all of your daily nutrients to aid recovery.

I would fully recommend having this surgery done as when GORD starts to damage your oseophagus - Barrett's, then you are increasing a future risk of cancer

Has anyone else had one repaired only to have it happen again????

Hi Beut8 - seems you are need a sympathetic ear to listen to your concerns - many on this forum - have suffered with bad symptoms for many many years and can empathise with you - Surgery is the last option due to complications that can happen - read all posts on this - and isn't necessarily the best solution. My suggestion is you tell your doctor you are suffering physically and mentally and want to be referred for tests to determine whether you do have a hernia, what kind and how big it is as they do vary. In the meantime make sure you do all you can by way of hiatal hernia diet and if overweight get plenty of exercise. If you do need an Op it is best to be as fit as you can.

Hi Jeanette51306 sorry to hear about your current situation.Suggest that you need to discuss this with your doctor and as it was a 'surprise' maybe - hopefully your symptoms won't justify further surgery.

Before I had my Op I knew there was a high failure rate - approx. 40% - a colleague of mine had to have the Op 3 times as it failed twice. I believe he is OK now but not sure as have lost touch - I left the job last year

I had my op 4 months ago for my Giant hiatal hernia (more than half stomach in chest) and am wondering if I will need something done again due to current symptoms; sensation of fur ball in lower throat, can feel like stomach in throat, still loads of very load gurgling - loads of wind - plenty of pain, however, maybe still early days - In report from surgeon to my doctor it states Hernia reduction surgery, so maybe a small hernia is acceptable to them and certainly better than a Very large hernia ! - see the surgeon again in April will discuss this with him then.

Good luck to us all !!

I loved music all my life and remember walking to school while a man named Al Hibler had the number one hit on the radio named unchained melody....lol Seems I'm winding life down with a few health problems, one of which is a Hiatal Hernia. It seems it has taken my first love, singing. Someone introduced me to Karaoke a few years ago and now all I can do is listen! Have you senior members had any voice problems that you feel are related to the Hernia? I could hardly talk longer than a minute or two without losing my voice let alone sing. Thanks so much for your help.....Ron351