WHY HIATAL HERNIA NEEDS TO BE REPAIRED?
WHAT IS A HIATAL HERNIA?
Any time an internal organ or a part of it protrudes into an area where it doesn’t belong, it’s called a hernia.
A hiatal hernia occurs when the upper part of the stomach bulges up through the diaphragm and into the chest cavity.
The diaphragm is a large muscle that separates the chest from the abdomen and plays a key role in breathing. Normally, the esophagus (the food pipe that connects your mouth to your stomach) passes through a small opening in the diaphragm called the hiatus, and the stomach sits entirely below the diaphragm.
In people with a hiatal hernia, part of the stomach pushes upward through the hiatus into the chest area.
There are two main types of hiatal hernia:
- Sliding hiatal hernia — the most common type. In this case, a portion of the stomach slides up through the hiatus and then moves back down into the abdomen.
- Paraesophageal (or fixed) hernia — less common but potentially more serious. Here, the upper part of the stomach remains
permanently trapped (or “squeezed”) through the hiatus and does not move back down.
WHAT CAUSES HIATAL HERNIA?
The most common cause of a hiatal hernia is increased pressure inside the abdomen. This pressure can result from chronic coughing, vomiting, straining during bowel movements, heavy lifting, or intense physical exertion.
Pregnancy and obesity are also common contributing factors. In some cases, a person may be born with a naturally larger opening (hiatus) in the diaphragm, which makes a hiatal hernia more likely to develop.
WHO IS AT RISK?
A hiatal hernia can develop in people of all ages and both sexes, but it occurs most commonly in women and in individuals over 50 years old.
According to the Esophageal Cancer Awareness Association, it affects up to 60% of people by the age of 60.
The condition is also more frequent among individuals who are overweight or who smoke.
WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS OF HIATAL HERNIA?
Most people with a hiatal hernia do not experience any symptoms. However, some develop symptoms similar to those of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).
GERD occurs when stomach acid and digestive juices flow backward from the stomach into the esophagus.
Normally, the lower esophageal sphincter (a ring of muscle between the esophagus and stomach) closes tightly after food passes through.
With a hiatal hernia, the new position of the sphincter may prevent it from closing completely, allowing acid and digestive juices to backflow and damage the lining of the esophagus.
Symptoms of GERD include:
- Heartburn
- Bitter or sour taste in the back of the throat
- Bloating and belching
- Discomfort or pain in the stomach or esophagus
- Chest pain or epigastric pain
There appears to be a connection between hiatal hernia and GERD, however not necessarily one condition causes the other. A lot of people have hiatal hernia and no GERD, and vice versa.
HOW IS HIATAL HERNIA DIAGNOSED?
Since most of the people with hiatal hernia do not have any symptoms, it is often diagnosed “accidentally” when a person undergoes an endoscopy for a different reason. An endoscopy and a barium swallow test are the most common ways to diagnose a hernia, others include esophageal manometric studies, a pH test, and gastric emptying studies.
Hiatal hernia is sometimes diagnosed during weight loss surgery. How often? We see it in about 10 – 15% of our patients.
SURGERY
If the hiatal hernia is being strangulated so tightly that the blood supply is being cut off in the upper part of the stomach, surgery is needed. Surgery may also be needed in people with a hiatal hernia who have severe, chronic esophageal reflux whose symptoms are not relieved by anti-acid medication. The goal of this surgery is to correct gastroesophageal reflux, which if left untreated can cause complications such as esophagitis (inflammation), esophageal ulcers, bleeding, or scarring of the esophagus.
During your weight loss surgery, if diagnosed with a hiatal hernia, Dr. Cynthia Hernandez will fix it by pulling your stomach back in place and making your hiatus smaller.
HOW TO REDUCE THE RISK OF HIATAL HERNIA?
- Lose excess weight
- Do not strain during bowel movements
- Do not lift heavy objects or get help
- Avoid tight belts and certain abdominal exercises
If you have acid reflux, one of the symptoms of a hiatal hernia, follow these recommendations:
- Eat smaller meals several times a day instead of three large meals
- Avoid eating meals or snacks within a few hours of going to bed
- Avoid foods that increase the risk of heartburn: spicy foods, chocolate, foods made with tomatoes, caffeine, onions, citrus fruits, alcohol
- Stop smoking
- Avoid bending over or lying down after eating
COST OF A HIATAL HERNIA REPAIR DURING WEIGHT LOSS SURGERY
The cost of surgery for a hiatal hernia in the United States varies depending on the surgeon, your location, and the type of insurance you have. The uninsured cost of the procedure varies typically around $10,000 to $20,000 USD in the United States. However, additional costs may arise during the recovery process if you have complications.
With Dr. Hernandez the fee is (in addition to the weight loss surgery package cost):
- $399 USD ELITE CARE PACKAGE
- FREE SIGNATURE CARE PACKAGE
- FREE CLINICAL CARE PACKAGE
HEALTH HISTORY QUESTIONNAIRE
To determine what type of weight loss surgery will be most beneficial for you, please complete our health history questionnaire.
Once we receive the completed form, we will contact you via email within 24 hours and arrange a free consultation with one of our bariatric surgeons via a cell phone or a video call.