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Hiatal Hernia Surgery Recovery

Having any surgical procedure can be stressful and there is always a period of recovery that one must go through afterwards. However, when the surgery involves area of the stomach, the recovery process could be a little more in depth. After all, not all surgeries will have an effect on the way you eat for weeks or months at a time. There are several things you should know about in regards to your recovery after a Hiatal hernia repair surgery.

Diet Limitations

As mentioned earlier, you are going to be sent home with a number of diet limitations. This does not mean restrictions as there is a major difference. It is not that you will have to watch what you eat, it is that you will have to watch the way you eat it. For example, you will be instructed to take small bites and chew each one thoroughly before swallowing. The idea here is to make sure your food is almost fully liquid before swallowing it. Some people prefer to eat soup and other soft foods for a few days. Remember that bread and meat will be the hardest to swallow so maybe stay away from them for at least a week or so. Also, it cannot be stressed enough that spicy foods and foods that are known to produce gas such as beans should be avoided for quite awhile. Do not drink carbonated drinks until your doctor has instructed you that it is alright to do so.

Stay Comfortable

This cannot be stressed enough. More than likely you will be sent home with pain medications. Do not be afraid to use these as necessary. If you find that one of your medications is making you feel sick to your stomach, which can easily happen with pain meds, report this to your doctor and see about an alternate drug. If you doctor permits it you may be able to take a nice warm shower in order to relax you and make you feel better. Keep in mind that this may not be allowed for several days after surgery. You may expect to feel a bit of discomfort for a good 3 to 6 months following your surgery but do not worry as the severity and frequency will minimize with time.

Take Care of Your Lungs

After a surgical procedure one of the things that you must consider is the health and function of your lungs. Making sure you do breathing exercises during your recovery time will help prevent the possibility of pneumonia or lung congestion. In fact, lung disorders and illnesses tend to me the most common after effects of surgeries of all types so do not slack where this is concerned. Chances are you’ve been given a spirometer, use it a minimum of 4 times per day in the beginning. If you do notice any lung congestion, a tight and painful cough or spike a fever, contact your doctor right away.

Do Not Worry About Appetite

You may not feel like eating much of anything directly following this surgical procedure and that is fine for a couple of days. However, if after 48 hours you still have not developed an appetite contact your doctor as you need to eat in order for your body to get the sustenance it needs for the healing process. If you cannot eat solid foods then try drinking meal replacement shakes as these provide nutrition and act more like a beverage, making it easier for people to tolerate.

The most important consideration after a surgery is always going to be infection. If you notice redness, swelling or heat coming from the site then you should seek medical attention. Also a fever is never a good sign after any sort of surgical procedure. These are the things your doctor will most likely instruct you to watch for. In most cases the healing process goes quite smoothly but be aware of the risks and pat attention to the signals your body is sending you.

October 20th, 2011 | Tags: , , | Category: Hiatal Hernia | Leave a comment

Hiatal Hernia Repair: Fundoplication

There are several conditions which can cause a Hiatal Hernia. In fact any medical condition that causes an excess amount of stomach acid to flow into the stomach such as Acid Reflux Disease or GERD can result in the occurrence of a Hiatal Hernia. When a Hiatal Hernia occurs, essentially what is happening is that the stomach is literally protruding through a hole that has been created by the widening of the natural opening located in your diaphragm.  The diaphragm is basically the tissue and muscle layer that is located just between your stomach and your chest.

Can a Hiatal Hernia Be Repaired?

A Hiatal Hernia can be repaired through a surgical procedure called fundoplication. This surgery works by repairing the Hiatal Hernia through stitching the hole that is present. This will be the very first step and once this has been done, the surgeon will then work to tighten the entrance to your diaphragm in order to prevent your stomach from being able to protrude again.  The next step is typically to utilize stitches in order to wrap the upper portion of your stomach around the tip of your esophagus. This portion of the surgery will help to ensure that stomach acid and food are kept from coming back up. This surgery typically takes a couple of hours and is almost always performed under general anesthesia. Speak to your health care provider about the risks of anesthesia.

Do All Hiatal Hernias Require Surgical Repair?

The good news is that most of the time Hiatal Hernias do not require extensive treatment such as surgery. The only time surgery becomes an option is if there are other complications associated with the Hiatal Hernia such as inflammation of the esophagus, or GERD. In some cases the hernia may pose a risk of causing strangulation and prevent the blood flow. In situations such as these, surgery will be suggested. However, there are some people who live for a very long time with Hiatal Hernias without ever experiencing any of these complications. Each case is treated differently so there is no reason to believe surgery is imminent unless it is advised by a physician.

How Long Is the Recovery Process After Repair Surgery?

As with any surgical procedure, there is going to be a period of recovery. With this type of surgery that period is typically around 6 weeks to two months. During recovery, physical activity should be kept to a minimum and there is a high probability your doctor will have you on a very strict diet regimen. More than likely you will be on a series of medications including but not limited to acid reducers and antibiotics. Each person heals differently. You may find that you are feeling great after only a few weeks, while others may take several months to get back into the swing of things. Age and overall health before surgery will also play a role in how long the recovery process is.

A Hiatal Hernia is a fairly harmless thing to have in the grand scheme of things. If you have recently been diagnosed with one, do not be nervous as it is quite common and doctors deal with them all of time. While this condition can be rather painful, it is not life threatening in most cases. The biggest concern would be in a patient with a immunological problem or in an extremely elderly patient with a compromised immune system. Other than that Hiatal Hernias are fairly easy to treat and repair.

October 10th, 2011 | Tags: , , | Category: Hiatal Hernia | Leave a comment

Hiatal Hernia Diet Tips

Having been diagnosed with a hiatal hernia, the first thing most people want to know is whether or not it will make any difference in their lifestyle and if they will need a special hiatal hernia diet. Actually, statistics show that only about half of all people who have a hiatal hernia present any symptoms while the other half will not only have symptoms, but they are severe enough to need treatment. Sometimes a hiatal hernia diet plan is sufficient to relieve those symptoms while other times they may need either medication or surgery, and sometimes both. Following are some hiatal hernia diet tips.

What is a Hiatal Hernia?

Before discussing a hiatal hernia diet plan, it should be understood exactly what a hiatal hernia is. Basically, a hiatal hernia is when the top region of the stomach pushes up through the diaphragm into the chest. The opening through which it comes through is called the esophageal hiatus and sometimes it is called the diaphragmatic hiatus. The end result is that the acid produced in the stomach isn’t kept there and pushes up (acid reflux) through the weakened esophageal hiatus. The condition is called a hiatal hernia and the best way to alleviate symptoms is to eat in such a way so as not to exacerbate the condition.

Hiatal Hernia Diet Menu

When you understand that it is the acid coming up from the stomach that causes symptoms such as heartburn, then you will want to choose a hiatal hernia diet menu with foods that don’t cause an excess of acid. It is also suggested that you do not eat three large meals a day and instead eat six smaller meals so as not to stretch the stomach, placing additional stress on the hernia. Doctors will tell you to avoid chocolate, coffee, tomatoes, citrus fruits and fats of any type whatsoever, including those considered to be healthy fats. Hiatal hernia diet tips usually always suggest that you refrain from drinking alcohol and that you completely stop smoking as these also relax the lower esophageal sphincter which would then allow acid reflux.

Hiatal Hernia Diet Recipes

As well as avoid fats, most hiatal hernia diet plans call for you to drastically reduce your intake of sweets. Therefore, hiatal hernia diet recipes will provide alternatives to using fats and sugar. If anyone has ever had occasion to make a box cake mix that says you can substitute applesauce for oil, you will get the idea of what it is like to find ways to substitute other ingredients for fats and sugar. Instead of frying your chicken, back it in the oven. Instead of making a cake, try eating a dish of applesauce or a cup of low fat yogurt. Most recipes can be altered to correspond with the foods you can safely eat on a hiatal hernia diet – it might just take a bit of creativity on your part.

If your hiatal hernia is severe enough to require surgery, your doctor will most likely provide special instructions for a hiatal hernia diet after surgery. This would actually be a good regimen to follow from that point forward as the foods and food groups on the diet plan are those not known to promote excess acid in the stomach. Whether you are treated with medications or through surgery, a hiatal hernia diet is also recommended to alleviate many of the symptoms which cause distress. As one last piece of advice, also make sure that any exercises you do in conjunction with a healthier diet will not place additional stress on the abdomen as that can actually make matters worse.

August 27th, 2011 | Tags: , , | Category: Hiatal Hernia | Leave a comment

General Information on Hiatal Hernia Surgery

Since one of the most common symptoms of a hiatal hernia is heartburn, many people often neglect treatment in the beginning because they just attribute it to acid indigestion. As time goes on and the symptoms persist and become much more intense, a diagnosis is usually in order. If the diagnosis is ‘hiatal hernia’ there are different ways of treating the condition usually based on the how far advanced the hernia is. Sometimes the treatment can be as simple as lifestyle changes with or without medications and other times treatment will require hiatal hernia surgery.

Why Is Hiatal Hernia Surgery Necessary?

A hiatal hernia is actually referring to a condition that is quite common in those people suffering from GERD. This is where the connection between the esophagus and the stomach (gastroesophageal junction) becomes weakened from chronic acid reflux. Instead of being located below the diaphragm and above the stomach, the junction is sometimes pushed up above the diaphragm and the stomach also begins to twist up into the esophagus if left untreated for long periods. This can be extremely dangerous, so to prevent this happening, surgery is required to repair the junction and stitch it back where it belongs.

Laparoscopic Hiatal Hernia Surgery

This type of surgery is often referred to as Nissen Fundoplication hiatal hernia surgery and it can be performed outpatient, however some doctors do admit patients under certain conditions. Usually the patient is under general anesthesia when the surgery takes place. Small incisions are made in the abdomen, approximately 1 cm, through which instruments and the fiberoptic laparoscope are inserted. The entire operation is conducted with these tiny instruments. At the end, the incisions are sutured and the patient is brought into recovery until the roused from sedation.

Laparoscopic Hiatal Hernia Surgery Recovery

Unlike hiatal hernia surgery of days gone by, the laparoscopic hiatal hernia surgery recovery time is usually significantly reduced because the incisions are so small. The amount of time a patient needs to spend in the hospital is usually based on the extent of the damage which had been repaired and of course, the patient’s natural ability to heal. Some patients just heal faster than others! However, with that being said, some doctors will keep you in the hospital a few days up to a week or a week and a half.

Hiatal Hernia Surgery Complications

As with any surgery, there is always the risk of complications, but usually hiatal hernia surgery complications will gradually subside. In some cases they may become permanent and in other cases the complications may require additional surgeries to correct the situation. For example, painful swallowing, burping and vomiting are the most common complications and also those that will eventually resolve themselves as the patient heals. However, certain complications such as a pneumothorax (air around the lungs), internal organ damage or infections bleeding may require additional surgeries and/or medications to correct the problem.

Hiatal Hernia Surgery Success Rate

Although it is difficult to put a number on the hiatal hernia surgery success rate as all people are different and all cases can be more or less severe, the success rate for this surgery which is minimally invasive is usually between 90% and 95%. In those rare cases when the patient experiences chronic complications, the actual success rate is reduced because the complications interfere with the patient’s ultimate recovery. This is something you would want to discuss with your surgeon because the prognosis for full recovery is based on the extent of damage being repaired.

In fact, if you have been diagnosed with a hiatal hernia that requires surgery your doctor will most likely provide you with literature that you can use to familiarize yourself with both the illness and the surgery. Since this condition is quite often associated with GERD, early detection of gastroesophageal reflux disease and treatments with proton pump inhibitors may just be the prevention needed to avoid a hiatal hernia. In any case, if you find that you are experiencing acid reflux more than twice a week, it is truly time to see your doctor.

August 21st, 2011 | Tags: , , | Category: Hiatal Hernia | Leave a comment