Hiatal Hernia

Thanks for posting this question, I would also like this information!

@cantbelievethis and @ch47, A lot of members shared their experience in an older discussion from 2016 which has posts from 2020 and one from 2022 here:
--- Has anyone had surgery to repair hiatal hernia?: https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/hiatal-hernia-sugery/

@rcgmlka7, @friz, @donnatownsend, @drdinsmore, @billjudis and @bea4me have discussed hiatal hernia surgery in other discussions and may have some experience to share with you.

I had this surgery in 2019. It did wonders! As long as I do what I’m supposed to. Basically no straws and very limited carbonated drinks. But since a about try my 3rd week of Radiation I’ve been suffering from it again. I’m not sure if it’s my esophagus that is burnt or what. Once I get my new PET scan done if it’s not any better I will probably discuss this with my that I Gastroenterologist. Another thing that I found out after my surgery is that I couldn’t throw up. They had to repair my esophagus with part of my intestine because it was eroded so bad

Thank you for following up on this…sounds like I have to be really careful and seriously follow instructions with the small meals ( it’s hard to remember) so I don’t get to surgery stage…no surgery is fun, but this one sounds particularly awful…I hope everyone contributing has found some place comfortable with their tummies…

I just had a nissen fundaplication. I haven't felt this good in 14 years. Depending on the size of your hiatal hernia, you might need to raise your bed to a 30 degree angle to sleep. I can now sleep flat and have had no issues. The trade off for me is easy. No straws, no carbonated drinks (I haven't had any for 9 years) small meals , soft food, chew well. Drink after each bite. If I do eat bread dunk it in a liquid. My esophagus is weak and doesn't push food down like it should. Dr Edwards Jax Mayo is the best and made this as easy as possible. I suggest you use him.

If you have a large hiatal hernia, it would be best to have it repaired.

I don’t know if any of these suggestions appeal to you but there are chiropractors who are trained to manipulate the hernia area so that it is pushed down. Also, when you first get up, on an empty stomach, drink two 8 oz. glasses of water and then vigorously bounce up and down for 30 seconds. The weight of the water is supposed to pull the hernia down. Pull your shoulders down (if you have a tendency to have them up by your ears) and breathe deeper. The whole concept is “down” since the hernia is bulging up.

Best wishes, Cindy

Thank you so much, I have been dilated several times to open my esophagus, as I have severe scoliosis that is so curved I look straight! 🤣 I guess that is a blessing.
Some of spine ultimately pushes on my esophagus and restricts it. Painless procedure.
As to the hernia, think that is leftover from the severe bloating from undiagnosed SIBO -horrible first doctor!
These are all great suggestions and I am recently realizing how careful I need to be with this hernia.
Thank you!

@cantbelievethis @ch47 I have been living with a hiatal hernia for several years. Doctors have told me that the hernia repair surgery can cause more problems and to avoid it. Hiatal hernias can cause acid reflux (GERD) and acid reflux can irritate the esophagus to the point you can get chest pains that feel like a heart attack.

I have been taking one 30mg. Prevacid capsule at bed time, and I have the top of my bed raised on risers (available on Amazon, bedding stores, etc.) and that has helped with the reflux. In addition, I stop eating and drinking around 8:00 p.m. or no later than 9:00 p.m., no matter how late I get to bed. Small meals help too, but I eat two meals a day - a sort of brunch around 1:00 p.m. and regular dinner around 7:00 p.m. - and have fruits and snacks between 1:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. if I feel hungry.

PPIs (proton pump inhibitors) like Prevacid, Nexium, etc. are frowned upon, but for me they have been a necessary evil because acid reflux can eventually cause Barrett’s Syndrome which if left unchecked can lead to esophageal cancer (my father died of esophageal cancer). I would rather take the risk of PPIs than esophageal cancer.

This is just my experience with GERD, and what has helped me.

I have a hiatal hernia and I had NO idea about "no straws". My main soure of water is my Thermo Flask and I'm sucking up the water. 😲
It's my go-to when on the road. I of course knew about carbonated drinks. Never was a soda drinker, so that one was easy.

They told me about the straws. I was about 3 months post surgery and seriously thought I was having a heart attack. I spoke to them and then told me it was air built up. I learned my lesson from that one. The only thing I didn’t know was not being able to throw up.