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Has anyone had a hiatus hernia repair surgery done?

da3boolda3bool Posts: 2,620
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Hi

I had an endoscopy done and was diagnosed with hiatus hernia after severe upper abdominal pain caused by acid reflux which lasted for a year and a half. I've been given all sorts of medications to lower the acid produced which worked (some) but these medications can only be taken for small number of weeks, and the pain would return as soon as I come off these medicines.

I was told by my GP that a repair surgery could be done, but as you know any surgery is a bit worrying. So I was wondering if any of you had this surgery done before, and whether it had any positive or negative effects.

Thank you so much

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    [Deleted User][Deleted User] Posts: 10,488
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    #2
    What medication are you on? My OH was diagnosed with hiatus hernia about 5 years ago and has been on Omeprazole ever since and that, together with a small adjustment to his diet, works a treat. I've also been on Omeprazole for a different condition and the doctor has never suggested we ought to stop taking them.
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    bumbarbumbar Posts: 281
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    #3
    I`ve been on Omeprazole for about 3 years now and works fine apart from the odd hiccup.There has been no mention from the doc about coming off it.
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    4smiffy4smiffy Posts: 2,161
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    #4
    I've had the surgery, but still take lansoprazole every day. If you're considering having the surgery do your research very thoroughly. I suggest that you join this forum and ask your questions on here:

    http://www.healthboards.com/boards/acid-reflux-gerd/
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    mred2000mred2000 Posts: 10,050
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    #5
    I've been on Omepazole since 2009 and it does the job, Doc said I can stay on it indefinitely. Went from taking it once a day to once every couple of days and it still works fine (though I noticed some side effects when the local chemist changed brands, annoyingly...)
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    da3boolda3bool Posts: 2,620
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    #6
    I was taking Omeprazole but it didn't help as I had to take 2 tablets a day for it to work, 1 a day wasn't sufficient. I then was subscribed with Esmeprazole which worked a treat with 1 tablet a day.

    I'm a young lad and I don't want to keep taking these tablets for the rest of my life. That's why I was looking if a surgery would give me a permanent solution.

    I've just been to a GP this morning and she really had a shocked face when I enquired about the surgery option. She told me to stay away from it because it is not that successful, and advised me to stay on tablets whenever I need them.

    I've only has this reflux thing for a year and a half and it really is the most painful thing when it triggers. I get the feeling my boss is fed up with me calling in the morning to miss work. This thing really ruined my lifestyle :(

    Thanks so much for the replies x
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    [Deleted User][Deleted User] Posts: 10,488
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    #7
    da3bool wrote: »
    I was taking Omeprazole but it didn't help as I had to take 2 tablets a day for it to work, 1 a day wasn't sufficient. I then was subscribed with Esmeprazole which worked a treat with 1 tablet a day.

    I'm a young lad and I don't want to keep taking these tablets for the rest of my life. That's why I was looking if a surgery would give me a permanent solution.

    I've just been to a GP this morning and she really had a shocked face when I enquired about the surgery option. She told me to stay away from it because it is not that successful, and advised me to stay on tablets whenever I need them.

    I've only has this reflux thing for a year and a half and it really is the most painful thing when it triggers. I get the feeling my boss is fed up with me calling in the morning to miss work. This thing really ruined my lifestyle :(

    Thanks so much for the replies x


    It's worth looking at your diet if you haven't already. Try to eliminate/reduce greasy foods, fizzy drinks etc., anything that would give you heartburn. I know for my OH a couple of pints of beer completely negates the effectiveness of the medication for a day or two.


    Good luck.
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    da3boolda3bool Posts: 2,620
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    #8
    earthling13 wrote: »
    It's worth looking at your diet if you haven't already. Try to eliminate/reduce greasy foods, fizzy drinks etc., anything that would give you heartburn. I know for my OH a couple of pints of beer completely negates the effectiveness of the medication for a day or two.


    Good luck.

    Thank you

    I don't drink or smoke, and have tried many diets but it seems to trigger randomly. I am still trying to eliminate stuff as you have mentioned. Hopefully it will help. x
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    4smiffy4smiffy Posts: 2,161
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    The operation is done these days as keyhole surgery. Given your age you would probably be considered as a good candidate for the surgery, rather than a lifetime of taking tablets. There are surgeons who specialise in this type of surgery. I would ask your GP for a referral, and consider seeing a different more sympathetic GP if necessary.
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    da3boolda3bool Posts: 2,620
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    #10
    4smiffy wrote: »
    The operation is done these days as keyhole surgery. Given your age you would probably be considered as a good candidate for the surgery, rather than a lifetime of taking tablets. There are surgeons who specialise in this type of surgery. I would ask your GP for a referral, and consider seeing a different more sympathetic GP if necessary.

    Yeah the GP today just brushed it off and just didn't seem to understand how this is ruining my life. The pain is excruciating, never anything like it and it stays for hours, and discomfort for days.

    Also, when I mentioned about the surgery, she told me that these surgeries are done to some babies to correct stomach position. I was surprised as I am reading everywhere in the Internet that older people are more likely to have it done than babies. I have never read of babies having it done!!!

    Thanks for the advice x
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    shmiskshmisk Posts: 7,963
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    #11
    da3bool wrote: »
    Yeah the GP today just brushed it off and just didn't seem to understand how this is ruining my life. The pain is excruciating, never anything like it and it stays for hours, and discomfort for days.

    Also, when I mentioned about the surgery, she told me that these surgeries are done to some babies to correct stomach position. I was surprised as I am reading everywhere in the Internet that older people are more likely to have it done than babies. I have never read of babies having it done!!!

    Thanks for the advice x

    loads of people have it done, admittedly it isnt always succesful but thats the case with all surgery.
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    [Deleted User][Deleted User] Posts: 6,859
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    #12
    My Gran had this surgery a few years back after going through hell. She is a million times better since and can eat all the things that used to make it worse, lie flat in bed etc. She did have an heart attack in recovery (not to say you would!)
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    ChawtonChawton Posts: 210
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    #13
    Ok, Ok, I know this is from the Daily Mail, but I was reading this with interest the other day, as I have GORD, and have just gone back on Omeprazole...

    http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-1382934/Acid-reflux-cure-My-heartburn-cured-magnetic-bracelet-stomach.html
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