Has anyone had surgery to repair hiatal hernia?

I had hiatal hernia repair surgery in August of 2015. Unfortunately, the vagus nerve during surgery was damaged and now I have gastroparesis. This disease has changed my life! My diet is very limited and even though I am careful about what I eat, I still have bad stomach days when I am unable to do much because of the pain. The hiatal hernia was pressing against my lung and the surgery resolved that problem and I no longer have reflux but the gastroparesis is worse than any of the problems I had before the hiatal hernia repair surgery.

I am sorry to hear that you had that outcome I also have a hiatal hernia and I'm considering getting surgery but I consider all surgeries to be dangerous but I try to balance the benefit from the problems. I can not make a decision. I do not know what problems I have a hernia can post for me as time goes by if I do not repair it. Is there a treatment for your condition

I am not sure if there is any treatment beyond for reflux is available. I went for lapband surgery. The dr. Found a huge hiatal hernia, which he also fixed. That was 7 years ago, i was 55, and happy to say no problems #

Hello @tlv68,

Welcome to Connect. I'm so glad that a some of our members replied to your message with some great information. I'm also tagging @mnangelmom, @pinkmk, @SherryD, @ilenen, @cmaso67, @ladysky, @patreats5674, who have all posted about hiatal hernias in the past and can hopefully jump in to this conversation and provide some thoughts.
@kdubois, would you have any insight as well, about hiatal hernia surgery?

@tlv68, could you tell us a little more about your condition? How have you managed so far?

peck1944 I am sorry for that outcome. I too had surgery for my hiatal hernia which was pressing against my chest making eating very difficult giving me chest pains and of course heart burn that was a couple of years ago. Before I went for the surgery I new someone who also had the same surgery but he told me that he has to have it done every few years. I spoke to the surgeon who was recommended by my gastroenterologist. This surgeon now practicing near where I live and was the head of the general surgery department. When I met with him he told me there would be no need to repeat the surgery if I stayed on his eating plan. That was more meals but eat less during those times. What he meant was eat less at least six times a day rather than gorge one self with three meals a day. This seems to work for me.

Yes, I eat more frequent and smaller meals. Also, I was told not to have any fresh fruit or vegetables and to stay away from whole grains and beans. That is working pretty well for me most of time. I find I do best when I stick with soups and generally lighter foods. Because I am unable to vomit since I had the hiatal hernia repair surgery (Nissen Fundliplication), food sometimes just stays in my stomach and rots which causes a lot of pain. I take anti nausea drugs when I have pain and usually I get relief within 45 minutes to an hour. However, there are times when nothing helps and it can be unpredictable even when I am eating according to the recommendations for gastroparesis. I have received helpful information from the International Foundation for GastroIntestinal Diseases. Check their website. I ordered a cook book for gastroparesis through that website which has been very helpful.

peck1944 I am sorry for your side effects but it seems you are coping and adapting that is a good suggestion My surgeon did not put any dietary restrictions on me just only for the first month Is it usual to for others to not to be able to vomit after a hiatal hernia operation, I was never told that by my doctor

Hi, I didn't know so many people had had this operation. I had a very large para oesophagel hernia repaired about 3 years ago and have had digestive problems ever since. It was took 7 hours to repair and contained the majority of my stomach and also transverse colon. Now having problems with my colon and slow bowel motility. Was diagnosed with gastroparesis to start with and now rapid gastroparesis. Have nod idea if my vagus nerve was damaged as had a fundoplication was well.I am also not able to vomit The only symptoms were not being able to eat or breathe properly. My upper abdomen is full of adhesions from the operation. I live in Australia and have not had much help from any GIs. The only suggestion has been to get my colon removed.Sorry I am not handling it at all well.but pleased that other people have had some relief.

In my experience most GI docs are not interested in working with patients who have gastroparesis. I have to be so careful about what I eat and if I am not careful I pay the price with pain and a lot of gas. The website for the International Foundation for Gastrointestinal diseases has a wealth of helpful information. Also, there is a medication you can get in Canada and possibly Australia that I understand is helpful.

peck1944 after my hiatal hernia surgery I had episodes of heartburn like symtoms the surgeon said it was not acid reflex because he had repaired this during surgery Well it sure felt like bad acid reflex. After trying different remedies the one that works for me is to take to Tylenol with some water and the pain stops.