@cantbelievethis, @jp9, @brittis - There are a few other discussions on hiatal hernia surgery that might be helpful to read through.

--- Hiatal Hernia Open Surgery: https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/hiatal-hernia-open-surgery/
--- Has anyone had surgery to repair hiatal hernia?: https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/hiatal-hernia-sugery/
--- 75% hiatal hernia repair: https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/75-hiatal-hernia-repair/
--- Swallowing issues 1 year after Hiatal hernia surgery & Lap Nissen.: https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/swallowing-issues/.

You might also find it helpful to do a search of Connect by searching Connect using the search box at the top of a Connect page, you can find what members have posted about having a hiatal hernia surgery. Here are the search results for the search words: "hiatal hernia surgery"