Q&A - Hiatal Hernia Surgery

James E. Harris Jr., M.D., Johns Hopkins general surgeon practicing at Howard County General Hospital, describes how a hiatal hernia surgical repair is performed, what the patient can expect after surgery and the possibility of recurrence.
In June 2023, the hospital was renamed Johns Hopkins Howard County Medical Center.

[@yvonnewilkinson9855]

I am having my surgery in two days but it will be open surgery. I developed my hernia after bowel surgery and I will be so happy to have it fixed. I tried to tell my husband no housework for three years hehe but he didn't believe it 😂😂😂😂. Blessings to those who are having this operation ❤❤❤

[@user-ig7qo4rn3l]

Hope your surgery went well and you have recovered.

[@yonikab8066]

What was your symptoms?

[@daniellecheree9358]

Thank you for video, good explanation!🙌🙏

[@lauraperez3381]

Thank you so much for all the information I’m having my surgery this coming Friday 🙏

[@andrewsmith3257]

Excellent explanation. I will be needing Nissen soon!!

[@yonikab8066]

Your not scare I heard lot of bad experience

[@prettygirlzful]

"...sore for about a week." Surgeons sure have a funny way of saying, "CRAMPS AND PAIN"!

[@dextarndumia2395]

I know.... This shit hurts... Got mine done 4 days ago...

[@liljerseygirl249]

I was sore for five weeks after mine, probably because I had such a big hiatal hernia.

[@estelleadamski308]

I just had a EGD and I have a hiatal hernia, that is in the chest, But I also have a fistula from a bariatric surgery . I also have a absent secondary peristalsis. The endoscopy lasted 2 hrs. The DR also did a endo flip & did close the fistula, but, there's only a 50/50 chance it will take. I have a upper GI next wk. to see if the fistula closing worked, also, a esophageal manometry scheduled as well. Given my previous abdominal surgeries my Drs. are afraid to even do a laparoscopic surgery. I have a lot of symptoms & pain. I am in a mess, for sure. Thankfully, I have the best doctors at the best hospital in the world.

[@abukolt01]

Is this a viable procedure to have done to help reverse Barrett's Esophagus?

[@toby621]

fix it but it can come back not a good out come your damed if you do and damed if you dont

[@xavierp4035]

40% re-occurance. That sucks I assume if you follow all Proper post surgery care you will not go through a re-occurance

[@bradleybennett1992]

I have had 4 hiatal hernia repairs. 2 in 2015, 2020 and 2022. My stomach just won't cooperate! 3 were done by surgeons, 4th was with the DaVinci Machine. They didn't want to do the 4th at all. In fact we explored doing a Ruex-en Y bypass to eliminate my stomach entirely- glad we didn't do that. But so far things are holding together... not sure what will happen if this one fails. I am 62 and each surgery I get 5 or 6 pokes, so I have many scars. It's quite a process but great to have it fixed. On my first surgery in March 2015 I was on the bed in reverse Trundleberg [sp?] When my bed broke and there I was all full of anesthesia and dangling by my arm straps. 250lbs of lifeless man meat I am sure my surgeon had some Things To Say. There were 5 or 6 in OR that day, and all were women. So everytime I get to the OR I Always ask Who Built and Checked the bed!

[@ok-pj4eu]

IF IT DIDN'T HAVE SUCH A HIGH FAILURE RATE I WOULD HAVE HAD MINE DONE.

[@MarionBurgwin-bk6ey]

40% failure rate is terrible. I refused this surgery.

[@jennifervilla5102]

So all patients have the mesh put inside? Interesting, I had mine about 14 yrs. ago. Thank you!

[@Scherly0110]

Did the hernia ever come back?

[@jennifervilla5102]

@@Scherly0110 I’m not sure, I feel as if though it has possible come undone. I have extreme bloating & gas. Trying to get back into a the Gastroenterologist. How about yourself?

[@Alexis_005]

@@jennifervilla5102 but no reflux?

[@nawedahmed9479]

@@jennifervilla5102 its been 14 years wow so how do you feel now? And how is your appetite please reply

[@karan-xm5tj]

Do u have reflux problems now pls answer

[@theresageiger584]

I wish I had known

[@mokabokal101]

so it does recur and you said 40% , that s kind of scary , for how many years it will hold to recur again ?

[@Rahul-uk4su]

Exactly i just wanna live till 35 n im 20

[@Sarah-sarahndipity]

@@Rahul-uk4su that is the most ridiculous thing I have ever heard. 35? Just wait till you're 35 and have a 10 year old you love more than your own life.

[@Rahul-uk4su]

@@Sarah-sarahndipity I was overreacting there , i was fine after taking medicines for about a week. Also a good posture throught the day is a must for people suffering from this and exercises that strengthen the core( or some light yoga if exercise is not advised).

[@66naj]

Hi I had a nissen surgery just a week ago and I'm still clearing my throat sometimes and soreness in my throat sometimes please tell me if it normal to still have those symptoms?

[@66naj]

@@ajinc3730 bit better I almost never clear my throat as much as I used to do but only after food sometimes for 15 minutes after food and I still wake up with reflux sometimes like 2 days a week but I'm sleeping better than before so in general I'm about 50 percent better i think maybe 70 percent better not too sure

[@Alexis_005]

@@ajinc3730 did you end up having surgery? I see you a lot in all these videos

[@yonikab8066]

Did you have any other symptoms?

[@germanshepherdmom1143]

No heavy lifting for 6 weeks but is it ok to resume light lifting after 5 weeks have passed ?

[@jaredleto3650]

I know of a doctor who can help you get rid of it permanently without surgery

[@andrewla9053]

Just wait out the 6 weeks you'll be fine

[@sunita9883]

@@jaredleto3650 please reply the doctor name

[@sunita9883]

@@jaredleto3650 this doctor give the permanent treatment of hytus hernia.

[@jaredleto3650]

@@sunita9883 yes

[@stephaniegonzales4236]

How long is recovery ?

[@bradleybennett1992]

Recovery isn't too bad. Depends on how extensive the procedure. I have had 4 hernia repairs, and most were 1 night. Then special diet, liquids for a week then slowly get back to normal food. I posted another reply under the Recurrence thread. Good luck with yours!

[@katerinakaterinaki9143]

You are bad if you don't do it and if you do it you are bad. Jesus Christ help people.My husband is so thin and has an enormous hiatal hernia. He needs asap this surgery. He suffers everyday with chest pain.

[@hc4151]

Do you have to do the nissen?

[@user-ok2nt1ey8x]

Did you ever find this out?

[@Alexis_005]

I’m 38 and this is causing me major depression because I’m dealing with something old people deal with and it doesn’t make me hopeful about the future

[@emmalee162]

Omg me to! I’m also 38, this happened from my last pregnancy in 2019, about 90% of my stomach is in my chest…..and watching these videos I’m like great, so I get to deal with this several times in my life…..

[@miriamrodriguez7878]

This could happen to young, middle age and older patients.

[@Alexis_005]

Have you guys considered surgery? I got my hernia working out doing leg raises 😢 I’m having a hard time forgiving myself. I had two babies and I never had reflux then, now I got full blown GERD 😔

[@Alexis_005]

@@AngelaBeers929 how do you manage? I’m really depressed about it, my family is getting worried about me. I’ve lost my will to live. I have this horrible guilt because I caused it by doing leg raises

[@Alexis_005]

@@emmalee162 are you getting surgery?

[@nelianebre6699]

Is an active 94 years old still a good candidate for haital hernia repair?

[@c.golden8280]

I think that is best discussed with a doctor.

[@Jag-ws5ue]

94 wow, most of us won't reach that age

[@funboy7468]

Nope

[@lastdays7855]

94 yrs old⁉️(that was 2yrs ago). Are you still alive?

[@squidsquiddly5970]

Hello I have a hiatial hernia and was hoping for some advice. I do not suffer from acid reflux often. Maybe once a month or less and it is medicated fine with 2 Tums. HOWEVER I have INTENSE UNYIELDING HELLISH pain in the abdomen where this is located. It can happen from me laying down on my side, sitting without deep breathing, eating "even though I eat very slow.." The pain only lasts a few seconds to a few min but then it is pressure. The pain is 10 out of 10 the pressure is 6 or 5 for the rest of the week/month. Is this common? Because I feel like something in my upper abdomen is going to burst and kill me/like the air is getting knocked out of me at the same time.

[@mashellepatrick5567]

I really feel for you. I have the same issue my best advice for you is to go see your general practitioner and get a referral for AGI doctor. Said GI doctor will schedule several tests to determine the extent of your hital hernia. Less your pain is so out of control do not go to the emergency Room because my experiences in their mergency Room have been horrific. There was only one time that the emergency Room doctor understood what I was going through and he got me in with a good general surgeon. On Tuesday July 28th I will be having this repair surgery. I wanna tell you that I was diagnosed with this in late March and I got put through so many procedures and so many tests that it can all be overwhelming and very frustrating. I really hope you find the treatment so need.

[@squidsquiddly5970]

@@mashellepatrick5567 Thank you so much and I hope that your surgery goes well. So often these things can go undiagnosed and the pain that we go through is intense :( but many people do it every year and recovery is decent. I wish you all the best luck

[@mashellepatrick5567]

@@squidsquiddly5970 I wish you all the best. And like I said unless the pain is really intense stay out of the ER. And I'll tell you why my last visit to the ER they refused to give me any pain medication. I was given Fluids and I was x-rayed with contrast meaning they you swallow I thin awful tasting liquid. Then they take a the X-ray. I also had eaten or slept for 3 days. After 4 and a 1/2 hours I finally said enough of this crap I pulled my IV and I left. I have been to the emergency Room 8 different times with severe pain and only 6 out of the 8 times was I even given pain relief. The last time I went to the ER they told me that the pain was not from the hital hernia. The doctor then ordered more blood work There were looking for a blood clot. This stupid doctor then prescribed anti vomiting meds which I already had and I didn't This stupid doctor then prescribed anti vomiting meds which I already had. Get them filled. Thank God I finally found a wonderful female surgeon with The help of my GI doctor. This surgeon spent a good 45 minutes with me and she prescribed to medications which I have currently finished. These medications really helped. She told me that the pain was more likely nerve pain from the hernia.

[@kristipton7112]

@@mashellepatrick5567 how are you feeling now after the surgery??

[@mashellepatrick5567]

@@kristipton7112 its four days post op. Wednesday was uncomfortable. I slept most of the day. I wasn't hospitalized overnight because i had no complications that would require it. Im feeling good. Yesterday was extremely hot and i was uncomfortable. Todsy i was able to shower. I had a great female surgeon. The hole Experience was respectful dignified and compassionate. I was allowed to wear my small earrings and my own socks in to the OR. While they were prepping me in the OR the played Disney's frozen until I went under. I am currently under a liquid diet for 2 weeks and then a soft food diet for 3 weeks. However I have a boyfriend who got me some ice cream sandwiches and then I put it in the blender and made a milk shake out of it.

[@MsBoris66]

My Hiatal Hernia causing me lot of burping, is that normal and can it be fix ? Thank you.

[@mexamrc]

It could mean you are eating many fatty foods or drinking too many carbonated drinks. Most likely a change of diet and some lifestyle changes would fix. If you had more symptoms and worse then I would recommend seeing a doctor about possibilities of acid reflux or gastritis. But that is in more severe cases. Hope all is well now and that you're better!

[@muhyee294]

Hi just wondering how you are now after hernia surgery as I want to have it done and how long did u suffer with it before.

[@c.golden8280]

I've heard horror stories of surgeons using the mesh and putting it in incorrectly causing major problems and more surgery.

[@jaredleto3650]

I know of a doctor who can help you get rid of it permanently without surgery

[@ivelissecarrion157]

@jared Leto who?

[@jaredleto3650]

his name is Dr ocheja you can text him on Whatsapp [phone] or drop yours so I will forward it to him

[@Jag-ws5ue]

@@jaredleto3650 its mechanical issue, and can not be repaired naturally , you can only manage symptoms

[@RaptureHead1993]

@@Jag-ws5ue it sucks feels like im broken…permanently

[@user-hc8ih2gl3v]

what's the cost for the surgery please any one know ?

[@brocklesnor6117]

150000

[@eddieg6965]

I heard about 5k could be as much as 15k Not cheap, try to get rid of your hernis yourself. Watch some videos, seems to help me breathing better. I think I have a sliding hiatal hernia, breathing comes and goes. My excersises seem to help. Watch them on youtube, how to fix your hernia naturally. Good luck

[@Mrkinghal0]

Eddie b how is it now bro? I think I may one , I’m displaying some symptoms but I did find some videos where you can make it go away with losing weight and breathing exercises. Hope it got better fam 💯

[@jaredleto3650]

I know of a doctor who can help you get rid of it permanently without surgery

[@stephaniecontreras8263]

@@jaredleto3650 who is it?

[@Sarah-sarahndipity]

This sucks so bad. I dont want to get cancer and I don't want to cough the rest of my life.

[@Alexis_005]

Ok let’s talk about something that nobody is talking about in these videos. How do you have sex with a hiatal hernia? Husband is afraid to do it since I was diagnosed two months ago 😞

[@sachinallrounder]

You can do it

[@bradleybennett1992]

Yeah, 2 months you should be good. I have a muscle on my left side on the belt line that, For Some reason, Cramps up intermittently. Then everything stops when that hits. It like a cramp you get in your calf when you are sleeping, Super Painful! But go slow and enjoy. If you feel something wierd, try a different position.

[@annamayeisenberg8405]

I've heard that many people have a great deal of uncontrollable flatulence and bloating as a result of the surgery.

[@Luison40]

40% rate of recurrence is just too much, almost makes that surgery useless, probably better off taking medication for life

[@Derkiesmefpipe]

That medication leads to more problems than good. Brittle bones, no thanks.

[@ok-pj4eu]

I WISH THEY HAD A DIFFERENT KIND OF SURGERY TO FIX THIS THAT WAS MORE SUCCESSFUL.

[@Luison40]

@@ok-pj4eu I now right? I still don’t understand why they have to wrap your stomach around your esophagus instead of putting the stomach back in place again and just reinforcing with a mesh. Doing that wrapping leads to a lot of side effects such as not being able to puke or even burp which is so stupid.

[@user-ok2nt1ey8x]

@@Luison40I was wondering the same thing. So, after this surgery, you can never burp or throw up ever again? Your whole life??

[@ManishArora224]

My mother has been diagnosed with Hiatal Hernia 2 years back and she had been taking allopathic medicine every day for past 2 years. Whenever she stopped taking the medicine, she vomits the food taken. We lost the belief on Allopathy and want another kind of treatment. After searching a lot, one friend suggest Planet Ayurveda. We go there and used their medicines. Now she is fine.

[@Maghrebinfinland]

Are you working for this planet ? Trying to get clients for them lieing . Because I saw your messages in 3 more diffrent videos ..sometimes you mentioned that you who has this . Sometimes your mother , are you lieing to this poor sick poeple , get out of her this not something for business

[@itsagueybana]

lol nah.

[@mvmatt9335]

I have a question that I can not find. Can you use your Cpap right after?

[@MaryamRvlogsUk]

Which medicine