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NEWBIE WITH MASSIVE HIATAL HERNIA AND GETTING GASTRIC BYPASS

DavesChickLynn

DavesChickLynn

Member
Hi, I'm Lynn, 52, 285 lbs and live in Elkton, MD. I have osteoarthritis in my lower back and legs and I have degenerative disc disease in my lower back, as well. I'm a mess!! I have had a hiatal hernia for years, but it never bothered me until recently. Or so I thought. I didn't realize some of the stuff that was happening to me was because of my hiatal hernia. I was admitted to the hospital right before Christmas 2021 because I had severe pain in my stomach and couldn't breathe right. Come to find out, the hernia is now a massive hernia and the hole had gotten so big that my stomach was literally in my chest. They had to put an NG tube down me and pump my stomach because nothing was moving. That was the most horrible experience of my life. I was in the hospital for 5 days. I was referred to a surgeon and he told me that along with hernia surgery, he wants me to have gastric bypass surgery. I've heard about it, but never considered getting it until now. He said if I didn't get the gastric bypass with the hernia surgery, he'd be setting me up for failure. So here I am. Been doing a lot of research and video watching on before and after journeys, as much as possible. Joined several support groups online, as well. The surgeon says my surgery will take 6-7 hours and that scares the crap out of me. I'm almost done with all of the pre-op stuff. I have one more Life Skills class and need a 30 day report on my CPAP. I had an upper endoscopy done and colonoscopy, saw the dietician and psychologist. Hopefully wrapping up the medical clearance stuff shortly. Saw my heart doctor and got a good report and cleared for surgery from him. Then, I guess, get approval from insurance and wait. Because of COVID, elective surgeries have been at a standstill. The said that hopefully soon they will be opening things back up. I've heard that I may not be able to get my surgery until summer. So, until then, I guess, I just keep trying to lose weight and keep trying to learn about how to eat afterwards. There are so many things to learn, it's like learning how to eat all over again. I am on a soft food diet until I do have surgery because my stomach is still in my chest and food doesn't digest as well, so I have to be really careful. If there is anybody who has had a similar experience and had surgery, I'd love to hear about it!! Thanks for reading and look forward to getting to know you all!! Take Care!
 
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Howdy and welcome. Glad to hear you have a plan. I have gastric bypass surgery next week with a bonus tiny hiatal hernia that is going to be repaired, which made itself known through the mother of all heartburn for the better part of a decade (I swear I thought that's what everyone experienced). I had delays for half a year because of COVID too. I used the extra time to practice the recipes I'd be making in the future, basically torturing cucumbers. :)
 
I had the RNY to correct medical issues, not for weight loss. I also had a massive hiatal hernia, and my stomach was attached to my heart and lungs (this was after 2 failed surgeries to correct it). I also had terrible GERD and gastro paresis, I hadn’t been able to eat properly or sleep for years. I was in surgery for around 5 1/2 hours and ended up with a feeding tube for a couple of months afterwards.

That was almost 3 years ago and all medical issues are now resolved. I still struggle to eat sometimes, especially if I’m tired, stressed or upset, but I maintain my weight with milky coffee or protein shakes or Greek yogurt etc. I’m not very good with meat or bread.

I just wanted you to know there is light at the end of the tunnel! Good luck!
 
rjbj said:
Howdy and welcome. Glad to hear you have a plan. I have gastric bypass surgery next week with a bonus tiny hiatal hernia that is going to be repaired, which made itself known through the mother of all heartburn for the better part of a decade (I swear I thought that's what everyone experienced). I had delays for half a year because of COVID too. I used the extra time to practice the recipes I'd be making in the future, basically torturing cucumbers. :)
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I am in the approval process too for the bypass surgery. I have a hiatal hernia and have had the fundoplication surgery for GERD. My fundoplication has slipped a little bit and the surgeon said she would repair the fundoplication and the hiatal hernia at the time of the bypass surgery. This all makes me a little nervous.
 
Welcome Lynn sounds like you are doing the things you need to do to succeed. Being an advocate for yourself and researching the knowledge for your situation is the best thing you can do for yourself. I have found that it makes an incredible impact on your confidence and long term goals. May you find better health and peace in your journey.
 
grandmaof4 said:
I am in the approval process too for the bypass surgery. I have a hiatal hernia and have had the fundoplication surgery for GERD. My fundoplication has slipped a little bit and the surgeon said she would repair the fundoplication and the hiatal hernia at the time of the bypass surgery. This all makes me a little nervous.
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I'm sure you ARE nervous. Good luck to both of us and hope everything goes well for you!!
 
rjbj said:
Howdy and welcome. Glad to hear you have a plan. I have gastric bypass surgery next week with a bonus tiny hiatal hernia that is going to be repaired, which made itself known through the mother of all heartburn for the better part of a decade (I swear I thought that's what everyone experienced). I had delays for half a year because of COVID too. I used the extra time to practice the recipes I'd be making in the future, basically torturing cucumbers. :)
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COVID is screwing so much up for everyone, in so many ways. Glad you are able to finally get your surgery. Please give updates as to how you are doing and how things went for you!! Hopefully, your heartburn will be gone for good. Pass some of those recipes this way!! ;)
 
Pink Julie said:
I had the RNY to correct medical issues, not for weight loss. I also had a massive hiatal hernia, and my stomach was attached to my heart and lungs (this was after 2 failed surgeries to correct it). I also had terrible GERD and gastro paresis, I hadn’t been able to eat properly or sleep for years. I was in surgery for around 5 1/2 hours and ended up with a feeding tube for a couple of months afterwards.

That was almost 3 years ago and all medical issues are now resolved. I still struggle to eat sometimes, especially if I’m tired, stressed or upset, but I maintain my weight with milky coffee or protein shakes or Greek yogurt etc. I’m not very good with meat or bread.

I just wanted you to know there is light at the end of the tunnel! Good luck!
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I'm so sorry you had to go through all of that! I'm glad things are in a much better place for you now. :)
 
Hello and welcome to the group. I am in Baltimore, so we are close. I grew up in Cecil county though, so I am very familiar with the area. I am scheduled for gastric bypass on 3/21 and cannot wait. Elective surgeries have not been stopped yet here, which is odd considering how close we are. Good luck and I hope you get relief from surgery!
 
Talk about a small world. My parents had a little summer place at Hollywood Beach off Town point Rd (I think that was the name) in Cecil County just a hop, skip, & a jump from Elkton. We went down there from Lancaster PA on weekends & all during the summer. Loved watching big ocean freighters on the C & D Canal. And the stars at night - you could see them so clearly.
 
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