I've got a small hiatal hernia I've known about for 30 years, but in the last couple of years it's given me some swallowing issues. I had to undergo a stretching in 2018 and the positive effects from that lasted about a year. So they told me surgery was the next option. I just had a barium swallow test today that confirmed the hernia. I have a diagnostic endoscopy next week. Then the surgeon will determine if surgery is indicated.

The physicians assistant was telling me about the endoscopic procedure. Has anyone had it? If so, what do you think? Was relief immediate? Recovery time? Any eating restrictions? Any other thoughts?

Before my first scope, I did the barium swallow test too. They said it was mild hiatal hernia, but that losing weight would help a lot. And it did. But then, once I was back to a lean, mean machine, I got some food stuck and had to go to the ER for a scope. While they were in there, they did the stretching thing, but also prescribed Omeprazole. No problems since and it's been almost three years. I'd be surprised if they didn't try that with you before recommending hernia surgery. Getting scoped is good for removing a blockage and checking for lesions, in case there could be esophageal cancer from acid reflux. But Omeprazole has been a miracle cure for me.

Don't fool around with that by putting off the surgery. My wife had a hiatal hernia rupture in 2009 that came very close to killing her. By the time she got to the hospital her stomach was full of blood and the bleeding got worse before they got it under control. Because of the rupture the fix resulted in major surgery that took 6 hours and 11 days in the hospital for recovery. I kid you not. Her ignoring the signs just about took her away from me.

Jim

Yes.

I went thru many endoscopic dilations.

I had the surgery to help straighten my "torturous esophagus" and regain some of the motility in my esophagus.

I haven't, but I'm just about ready to try it.

I have a hiatal hernia (confirmed via endoscopy) contributing to significant GERD (gastroesophageal reflux disease). I'm on a high enough dose of lansoprazole (which doesn't stop reflux, but decreases the acidity) now that I no longer have esophageal erosion and rarely have severe heartburn, but I still occasionally wake up in the night having refluxed into the back of my mouth and nose which REALLY irritates my mouth and nose and makes it very hard to stop hacking and clearing my throat and get back to sleep (which also disturbs my wife).

I did all the test for the surgical repair of adding muscle tissue from my leg or where ever it was coming from.

the little tube down my nose and swallow salt water.

Did the PH probe in my throat for 3 days (did that one twice actually).

Had 3 endoscopies.

At the end of the day, losing weight and changing my diet completely got rid of 30 years of acid reflux. When I start to get reflux now I KNOW i need to cut back on the shitty food.

The change was kinda crazy.

quote:

Originally posted by Rick Lee:
they did the stretching thing, but also prescribed Omeprazole. No problems since and it's been almost three years. I'd be surprised if they didn't try that with you before recommending hernia surgery. Getting scoped is good for removing a blockage and checking for lesions, in case there could be esophageal cancer from acid reflux. But Omeprazole has been a miracle cure for me.

I got scoped on 2018 for some stuck food. After that, I had the stretching and they put me on daily Omeprazole. I used it for several months and it did help. That cures the inflammatory condition at the bottom of the esophagus caused by reflux. But that medication jacked up my liver enzymes and I had to come off of it. My liver enzymes went whacky and Omeprazole is a known cause. The symptom of liver function issues if if you have gray or tan stool. It's your liver causing your body to not make enough bile. Once I came off of it, my liver enzymes went right back to normal. So now I take Prilosec as needed, mainly before I know I'll eat something that causes heartburn. Right now, my swallowing difficulty is mechanical.

I had a inguinal hernia repaired a few years ago.

Tip: Don't let them release you from the hospital until after you've taken a piss.

Yup, I had Lap Nissen surgery for my Hiatal Hernia in 2011. My Surgery was in the morning and I was up walking (w/IV and nurse) that evening. I was on a liquid and jello diet for a couple of weeks. After that I could eat what ever I liked. I have sure saved money on antacids.

Lock N Load

Michael
USMC Ret

I hope that after these test surgery is "indicated," as they put it. I rarely have heartburn anymore. Almost never have reflux. But swallowing some types of foods, like chicken or meats, can be tough. And if anything gets stuck or moves too slow, the hiccups set in. It's a real pain in the ass.

Have had reflux, barrett's esophagus and hiatal hernia for roughly 30 years, kept in check by 1 Prilosec a day for 25 of those years. Finally, doc says time for surgery, the Nissen wrap fundiplication. Complete success, no need for Prilosec anymore and I feel fine after recovery. Fast forward 4 years, it seems it is loosening and I am back on prilosec, this time 2 pills a day.
Now, let me tell you about that surgery - that first piss is a killer! They did not tell me about the catheter and that was my first experience there. I feel fine after, while still in the hospital and ask doc about getting back in the gym. He says tomorrow if you feel up to it, just don't puke or get punched in the stomach for 3 months. So tomorrow comes and I feel like shit, for about 10 more days. This is a pretty major procedure that wraps your stomach around your esophagus, and your body does not like that much!
Every time you eat you are going to have gas, sometimes a lot, sometimes a normal amount. For 2 years. That is how long it took for my body to simmer back down to normal.
Having said all that, I would recommend it in a heartbeat. No reflux and reduce my risk of esophageal cancer, yes please.
Good luck!

I have a pretty good size hiatal hernia at age 38. They started the process to schedule me for the new linx band surgery to repair it. I went on keto and lost 40lbs, almost all symptoms gone. The biggest reason I needed the surgery wasnt reflux, it was constant ulcers that bled. Once I lost the weight those issues just stopped. So try a diet first, but if that fails then look at the new Linx band option.