Laparoscopic Hiatal hernia surgery is a surgical procedure to address discomfort and issues caused by hiatal hernia. A hiatal hernia occurs when part of your stomach moves up through the diaphragm into your chest.
Your diaphragm contains an opening through which the esophagus passes through before connecting to the stomach. A hiatal hernia occurs when weakness of the diaphragm allows a small portion of the stomach to protrude through the opening and into muscles between the abdomen and chest.
A small hernia will usually never cause problems, however a larger hiatal hernia causes discomfort and leads to severe Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD).
Symptoms of a Hiatal Hernia
*If you are experiencing the following symptoms please consult your doctor immediately.
Risk Factors
Hiatal hernias are common in people who are:
Paraesophageal Hernia
A paraesophageal hernia is a serious type of hiatal hernia that poses the risk of strangulation on the stomach. Patients with paraesophageal hernias are often older and lead unhealthy lifestyles than those with a typical hiatal hernia. These types of hernias are repaired via surgery, specifically through laparoscopy.
About the Procedure
Preparing for Surgery: As with most surgeries, the doctor will advise the patient not to eat or drink at a specified time, as well as what medications they can or cannot take. As with every surgery, each patient will be provided with individualized precautions from a doctor at Olde Del Mar Surgical based on their own needs.
Recovery Time: After Hiatal Hernia Surgery, most patients are allowed to go home the same day. The patient will be advised to avoid heavy lifting for 2 to 3 weeks as well as return back to work after this time. After 3-6 weeks, the patient may return to their regular diet but keep acidic foods, alcohol, carbonated beverages, beans, and any other food that the doctor suggests. Of course, recovery time will vary depending on the patient, but the doctor at Olde Del Mar will tailor this time for each patient.
Pain After Surgery: Pain can vary from patient to patient; however, most should feel minimal pain. Slight discomfort may occur in the abdomen and chest with difficulty swallowing. This discomfort should alleviate within 48 hours. If too much pain is present, the patient may take medication as advised by their doctor at Olde Del Mar Surgical.
Hiatal Hernia Treatment at Olde Del Mar Surgical
To effectively eliminate symptoms, hiatal hernias require surgery. Hiatal hernia surgery consists of minimally invasive laparoscopic techniques using about 5 small incisions. Although the procedure is extremely complex, Olde Del Mar Surgical has successfully completed hundreds of surgeries, both for revisional and treatment purposes.
Some patients who have surgery for hiatal hernia can experience difficulty swallowing or feeling bloated for up to 3 months after surgery. Most of the time these symptoms do not persist, and the likelihood of successful repair of the hiatal hernia approaches 95%.
For patients who suffer from severe obesity, in addition to a hiatal hernia, it is sometimes preferable to combine hiatal hernia repair with weight loss surgery. Dr. Bhoyrul would be happy to discuss whether or not this might be a preferred approach in your case.
Take Control Today
Contact us today to see if hiatal hernia surgery is the right option for you.
