Can I Have Bariatric Surgery With a Hiatal Hernia?

Have you been dealing with heartburn, vomiting, and other side effects of having a hiatal hernia? Obesity has a role to play when it comes to the development of the condition, but what if you want to undergo bariatric surgery? You have so many questions, and it makes you wonder if you can even have weight loss surgery if you have a hernia. Here is what you need to know.

What Is a Hiatal Hernia?

This is a condition whereby a part of a patient’s stomach starts protruding into the chest through the diaphragm, which is the muscle that separates the chest and the abdomen. It is quite common for people to report having the condition, which causes symptoms such as heartburn, pain in the chest, and issues with swallowing food. Usually, a hiatal hernia doesn’t need treatment unless there are more severe complications.

You will also notice that it is more common in people battling with obesity because they experience issues with high pressure in their abdomen. The only problem comes when a hiatal hernia patient wants a surgical weight loss procedure. Can a person have weight loss surgery with a hiatal hernia? Yes, they can, and the good news is that the surgeon can perform the bariatric surgery and correct the hernia at the same time.

Hiatal Hernia Repair During Weight Loss Surgery

If you were wondering if hiatal surgery can be combined with bariatric surgery, the simple answer is yes. In fact, once you get the surgery done, chances are high that the hernia will reduce or be eliminated even without the experts actively handling it, although it may return. Therefore, surgeons recommend you get the repair done together with the bariatric surgery. This way, the risk of hernia returning is significantly low.

How to Identify a Hernia Before Weight Loss Surgery

If you have been complaining about pain in the chest or top part of the abdomen and are vomiting or have serious heartburn, the doctor will help determine if you have a hiatal hernia. The testing can be done through an X-ray, endoscopy, or esophageal manometry. If they find out that you have a hiatal hernia, it is easier to plan the next step: whether to repair it through surgery or not actively address it.

Talk to Qualified Professionals

Thanks to bariatric surgery and hernia repair, you end up not only losing weight but also reducing the symptoms of GERD. If you are looking for help with weight loss surgery in New York, consider reaching out to our experts at Lenox Hill Hospital.