All four (4) of my surgeries were performed laparoscopically also. You are very lucky. I wasn't so lucky. The comment i made was only a response to a question from a person requesting suggestions as to experiences others who have had the laparoscopic procedure performed to correct a hiatel hernia.
I had a Nissen Fundoplication back in 2020, and I haven't had more than two issues with reflux since then. HOWEVER, my hernia has grown by 50%, making it a "giant" hiatal hernia, while the mesh is solidly in place despite my heavy lifting and straining that I can't seem to avoid. I have gone back to my surgeon as well as had a second opinion by another surgeon and advice of my regular gastroenterologist. All recommended no additional surgeries because the risk of failure is too high and the benefits too small. They all said that eliminating the reflux was the goal, and that has been achieved. Meanwhile, I have gone on an aggressive weight loss campaign, and that seems to help.
I had a Nissen Fundoplication back in 2020, and I haven't had more than two issues with reflux since then. HOWEVER, my hernia has grown by 50%, making it a "giant" hiatal hernia, while the mesh is solidly in place despite my heavy lifting and straining that I can't seem to avoid. I have gone back to my surgeon as well as had a second opinion by another surgeon and advice of my regular gastroenterologist. All recommended no additional surgeries because the risk of failure is too high and the benefits too small. They all said that eliminating the reflux was the goal, and that has been achieved. Meanwhile, I have gone on an aggressive weight loss campaign, and that seems to help.
Yes Nissen Fundiplication during Covid felt wonderful afterwards as I was careful and newly retired. But the 7 centimeter hiatal hernia returned when I became less cautious, and I'm ready but anxious for another surgery at 70.
Yes Nissen Fundiplication during Covid felt wonderful afterwards as I was careful and newly retired. But the 7 centimeter hiatal hernia returned when I became less cautious, and I'm ready but anxious for another surgery at 70.
I was diagnosed with a sliding hiatal hernia years and years ago, and then when moving to GA, I had CT scan and they said I didn't have one, yet I know they don't disappear, so I never thought about it again, but now I have to have CT Scans frequently and again it showed up and this is 2026. I'm going in for a endoscopy and a colonoscopy and I also have a tortuous colon and have so many problems with my stomach, plus lung cancer, so since I had this hernia for over 25 YEARS+ should it be removed if they tell to have it done. I'm sick of operations and I'm 84 so I don't even know what the outcome will be as I have precancerous polyps and my mom died of colon cancer even though she was spot on taking care of her health. I do know I will not let any doctor mesh me at all but just wondered about the hernia.
I had a Nissen Fundoplication back in 2020, and I haven't had more than two issues with reflux since then. HOWEVER, my hernia has grown by 50%, making it a "giant" hiatal hernia, while the mesh is solidly in place despite my heavy lifting and straining that I can't seem to avoid. I have gone back to my surgeon as well as had a second opinion by another surgeon and advice of my regular gastroenterologist. All recommended no additional surgeries because the risk of failure is too high and the benefits too small. They all said that eliminating the reflux was the goal, and that has been achieved. Meanwhile, I have gone on an aggressive weight loss campaign, and that seems to help.
@njp515 I’m sorry you have been through this. I have a small hiatal hernia and despite being pushed by the Dr, I have opted out of the Tif procedure. I have terrible reflux and Omeprazole is helping to control it. It is affecting my calcium absorption though, just diagnosed with osteopenia, and I am worried about its relation to Alzheimer’s. Any tips for how you control your reflux aside from PPI?
@njp515 I’m sorry you have been through this. I have a small hiatal hernia and despite being pushed by the Dr, I have opted out of the Tif procedure. I have terrible reflux and Omeprazole is helping to control it. It is affecting my calcium absorption though, just diagnosed with osteopenia, and I am worried about its relation to Alzheimer’s. Any tips for how you control your reflux aside from PPI?
@jwool89 I take the Omeprazole (20mg) only as needed rather than every day. I always have Ondansetran on hand in case I get the urge to vomit, because I don't want to compromise my esophageal mesh. Otherwise, the weight loss has not made any great difference, to be honest, but it doesn't hurt, either. I really think that heavy lifting is the major culprit for me. I just can't resist lifting the heavy Dutch ovens and pushing furniture around!
On the other hand, if you have a small hiatal hernia with GERD, you might look into an ablation? My son was recommended this treatment rather than more invasive surgery and to prevent increased chances of Barrett's esophagus. He has a consult in March.
FWIW, I think you did the right thing by opting out of the Tif!
@njp515 I’m sorry you have been through this. I have a small hiatal hernia and despite being pushed by the Dr, I have opted out of the Tif procedure. I have terrible reflux and Omeprazole is helping to control it. It is affecting my calcium absorption though, just diagnosed with osteopenia, and I am worried about its relation to Alzheimer’s. Any tips for how you control your reflux aside from PPI?
@jwool89 I am responding to your question to another poster about ways to control reflux aside from PPI. I ditched omeprazole after being on it for four years and seeing my kidney values plummet. I opted instead for diet and lifestyle changes, plus I use Gaviscon Advance if needed. If I eat properly the reflux stays away. It's harder than taking a pill, so I understand why people take their PPIs for years on end. Another option is to use famotidine, which doesn't reduce acid nearly as much as a PPI and therefore less likely to cause side effects. I found a lot of free information at jamiekoufman.com. Dr. Jonathan Aviv also has info on how to manage reflux on various SM platforms. There is a FB group that has recipes for low acid, whole food diet. I think it's called Low Acid Diet Warriors or something like that. Good luck!
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@lhabada what happens ic you have to vomit in the future. Like food poisoning etc.?
I had a Nissen Fundoplication back in 2020, and I haven't had more than two issues with reflux since then. HOWEVER, my hernia has grown by 50%, making it a "giant" hiatal hernia, while the mesh is solidly in place despite my heavy lifting and straining that I can't seem to avoid. I have gone back to my surgeon as well as had a second opinion by another surgeon and advice of my regular gastroenterologist. All recommended no additional surgeries because the risk of failure is too high and the benefits too small. They all said that eliminating the reflux was the goal, and that has been achieved. Meanwhile, I have gone on an aggressive weight loss campaign, and that seems to help.
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1 Reaction@njp515 my hiatal hernia came back after 2 1/2 months with GERD. I had another surgery a few months ago. No GERD and hoping this one works
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2 ReactionsYes Nissen Fundiplication during Covid felt wonderful afterwards as I was careful and newly retired. But the 7 centimeter hiatal hernia returned when I became less cautious, and I'm ready but anxious for another surgery at 70.
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1 Reaction@618wild - hi, and welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect. Sorry to hear the hernia returned. How frustrating.
Have you approached your primary care or your GI surgeon about another surgery for the hernia? If so, were they open to it?
I was diagnosed with a sliding hiatal hernia years and years ago, and then when moving to GA, I had CT scan and they said I didn't have one, yet I know they don't disappear, so I never thought about it again, but now I have to have CT Scans frequently and again it showed up and this is 2026. I'm going in for a endoscopy and a colonoscopy and I also have a tortuous colon and have so many problems with my stomach, plus lung cancer, so since I had this hernia for over 25 YEARS+ should it be removed if they tell to have it done. I'm sick of operations and I'm 84 so I don't even know what the outcome will be as I have precancerous polyps and my mom died of colon cancer even though she was spot on taking care of her health. I do know I will not let any doctor mesh me at all but just wondered about the hernia.
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Helpful -
Hug
1 Reaction@njp515 I’m sorry you have been through this. I have a small hiatal hernia and despite being pushed by the Dr, I have opted out of the Tif procedure. I have terrible reflux and Omeprazole is helping to control it. It is affecting my calcium absorption though, just diagnosed with osteopenia, and I am worried about its relation to Alzheimer’s. Any tips for how you control your reflux aside from PPI?
@jwool89 I take the Omeprazole (20mg) only as needed rather than every day. I always have Ondansetran on hand in case I get the urge to vomit, because I don't want to compromise my esophageal mesh. Otherwise, the weight loss has not made any great difference, to be honest, but it doesn't hurt, either. I really think that heavy lifting is the major culprit for me. I just can't resist lifting the heavy Dutch ovens and pushing furniture around!
On the other hand, if you have a small hiatal hernia with GERD, you might look into an ablation? My son was recommended this treatment rather than more invasive surgery and to prevent increased chances of Barrett's esophagus. He has a consult in March.
FWIW, I think you did the right thing by opting out of the Tif!
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Helpful -
Hug
1 Reaction@jwool89 I am responding to your question to another poster about ways to control reflux aside from PPI. I ditched omeprazole after being on it for four years and seeing my kidney values plummet. I opted instead for diet and lifestyle changes, plus I use Gaviscon Advance if needed. If I eat properly the reflux stays away. It's harder than taking a pill, so I understand why people take their PPIs for years on end. Another option is to use famotidine, which doesn't reduce acid nearly as much as a PPI and therefore less likely to cause side effects. I found a lot of free information at jamiekoufman.com. Dr. Jonathan Aviv also has info on how to manage reflux on various SM platforms. There is a FB group that has recipes for low acid, whole food diet. I think it's called Low Acid Diet Warriors or something like that. Good luck!