Bariatric surgery with hernia

Posted by stever60 @stever60, Apr 5 6:57pm

I had gastric bypass 15 years ago at Mayo. I lost about 60 pounds. Unfortunately I have gained it all back. Right now I have a hernia that has slipped up through my diaphram.I have been referred back to mayo in Rochester to see a metabolic surgeon regarding surgery to fix it. I have met with two other surgeons that preferred to send my on to Mayo due to the complexity of fixing it. Does anyone know details about fixing it?

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Bariatric Surgery & Weight Loss Support Group.

Lisa Lucier, Moderator | @lisalucier | Apr 8 3:27pm

Hi, @stever60 - I see that you've joined Mayo Clinic Connect recently, so welcome. What a bummer to have gastric bypass, lose a lot of weight and then see it come back.

One discussion you may be interested in is:
-Weight Gain after Weight Loss Surgery. Let's support each other
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/weight-gain-regain-after-weight-loss-surgery/?pg=1#chv4-comment-stream-header
Also, I'd like to invite others that have experience with gastric bypass and/or hernia to join the discussion @roch @nova1976 @jamesk @nicole6417 @cntrlcoastgirl @michelle1970 @newmexjen @liver2007 @fiddledd @fourof5zs.

What symptoms have you experienced related to the hernia, stever60?

Lisa Lucier, Moderator | @lisalucier | Apr 29 11:30am

Hi, @stever60 - tagging a few members who may know something about the details of fixing a hernia such as yours, with it slipping through your diaphragm, or other complex hernia repairs @auntiro @sandralewis62 @fourof5zs @safarigoddess @debbieltx @shelk6 @babswel1.

stever60 - Are you thinking that your bariatric surgery is connected to the hernia? What are your plans currently for having this hernia fixed?

safarigoddess | @safarigoddess | Apr 29 12:31pm

I was told I had a hiatal hernia after an endoscopy - I -had it done because I had a severe cough( but only once in a while ) for many years and had been to five doctors (different specialists) and no one could pin point it so I though maybe it was in my throat esophogus area !! So , then I went to a surgeon who does ( and not many do ) nissen fundoplication for hiatal hernias but thank goodness he sent me to another Gastro doctor who did two more tests and then said I did NOT have a hiatal hernia. Now I was baffled but also since taking omeprazole the cough is not as often. But, I did not have bariatric surgery, just a cough !! Also, I was glad I did not have to have the surgery because after the doctor explained about wrapping the stomach around the entrance, I said "no" BUT, along with that, another medical person said " well you may have a sliding hernia which the other Gastro dr. could not see !!!!!!! so at this time, the acid reflux med. is helping and for now living with the occasional cough !-don't want more surgeries !!!

debbieltx | @debbieltx | Apr 30 2:32pm

Hi - I had a massive hiatal hernia with the entire stomach and a portion of the colon/large intestine through the diaphragm. There was no reflux or pain of any kind. Shortness of breath and strange heart rhythm at times. It was discovered when I had a scan for a kidney stone August 2024. Ended up going to Mayo Phoenix in September 2024. Local physicians were completely booked until June 2025. I had the surgery at Mayo in September 2024 to fix the hernia and place the organs in the correct spots. During surgery it was discovered my stomach was in my chest and pushing against my left ribs. It had been there so long there was scar tissue formed on the ribs. The surgery took longer than expected due to the removal of the scar tissue. The hole in the diaphragm was sewn and wrapped in mesh to form scar tissue where the stitching was. They also placed mesh in the rib area due to the bone scraping. Fast forward to today and I have zero regrets for having the surgery. I breathe normally and my heart has stopped with the strange rhythm. My experience with Mayo was top notch and felt very comfortable with my decision.