Guest guest Posted April 21, 2001 Report Share Posted April 21, 2001 <<<<>>>>> Donna: There is no need to worry. Hiatus/hiatial hernias are quite common in obese/morbidly obese (although one does not have to be obese to get them). It happens when the stomach is pushed into the small opening in the diaphram and presses agains the esophogus. It can cause acid reflux and difficulty eating. I was also diagnosed with a small one at my pre-op endoscopy. I never knew I had one! I had had a vague weird feeling around my diaphram for awhile but I didn't really notice much acid reflux. This diagnosis will actually HELP in your insurance approval because it is an 'official' co-morbidity! There shouldn't be any problem performing the operation, etc. because of it. Oftentimes it isn't even 'fixed' during the surgery since it will heal on its own with the subsequent weight loss (i.e. - the stomach will return to its normal position and pressure will be relieved on your esophogus). I think that severe hiatus hernias require some kind of operation --- including mesh to repair the hole in the diaphram, but this is only in SEVERE cases. Hope this helps relieve you somewhat! all the best, laparoscopic BPD/DS with gallbladder removal Dr. Gagner/Dr. Quinn assisting/Mt. Sinai/NYC January 25, 2001 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 21, 2001 Report Share Posted April 21, 2001 <<<<>>>>> Donna: There is no need to worry. Hiatus/hiatial hernias are quite common in obese/morbidly obese (although one does not have to be obese to get them). It happens when the stomach is pushed into the small opening in the diaphram and presses agains the esophogus. It can cause acid reflux and difficulty eating. I was also diagnosed with a small one at my pre-op endoscopy. I never knew I had one! I had had a vague weird feeling around my diaphram for awhile but I didn't really notice much acid reflux. This diagnosis will actually HELP in your insurance approval because it is an 'official' co-morbidity! There shouldn't be any problem performing the operation, etc. because of it. Oftentimes it isn't even 'fixed' during the surgery since it will heal on its own with the subsequent weight loss (i.e. - the stomach will return to its normal position and pressure will be relieved on your esophogus). I think that severe hiatus hernias require some kind of operation --- including mesh to repair the hole in the diaphram, but this is only in SEVERE cases. Hope this helps relieve you somewhat! all the best, laparoscopic BPD/DS with gallbladder removal Dr. Gagner/Dr. Quinn assisting/Mt. Sinai/NYC January 25, 2001 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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