You’ll probably see a family doctor or general practitioner. If you’ve been diagnosed with a hiatal hernia and your problems persist after you make lifestyle changes and start medication, you might be referred to a doctor who specializes in digestive diseases (gastroenterologist).
Who can do hiatal hernia surgery?
Mayo Clinic’s hiatal hernia care team includes doctors trained in digestive diseases (gastroenterologists) and imaging (radiologists). In some cases, abdominal surgeons and chest (thoracic) surgeons are also involved. The Esophageal Clinic often participates in care for people with hiatal hernias.
What type of surgeon is best for hernia surgery?
In most cases, your doctor will refer you to a general surgeon for a surgery evaluation. A general surgeon is trained to provide surgical care for most of the body, including the gastrointestinal track, the abdomen and its contents, breast, skin and soft tissue, and endocrine system.
Can a general surgeon repair a hiatal hernia?
Background: Hiatal Hernia Repairs (HHR) are performed by both general surgeons (GS) and thoracic surgeons (TS).
What type of doctor fixes a hiatal hernia Related Questions
Can a gastroenterologist treat a hiatal hernia?
Yes, gastroenterologists are the most qualified medical professionals to treat hiatal hernias. As they specialize in the gastrointestinal tract, they are experienced in treating conditions affecting this region, including hiatal hernias.
How long does hiatal hernia surgery take?
How long does laparoscopic hiatal hernia repair take? The surgery itself takes 2 to 2.5 hours.
Why don t doctors repair hiatal hernias?
When is surgery required? Most hiatal hernias do not cause symptoms, and therefore, treatment is not usually necessary. Those who have more mild symptoms, such as heartburn, acid reflux, or gastroesophageal reflux disorder (GERD), may be able to treat their condition with medications or lifestyle changes.
What is the downside of hiatal hernia surgery?
The most common complications are difficulty swallowing, abdominal bloating, diarrhea, and nausea. Most patients can’t belch as well as they could before surgery, although the inability to belch is distinctly uncommon. About 25% of patients can’t vomit after surgery.
How painful is hiatal hernia surgery?
There is usually minimal pain associated with this operation. The abdomen will be sore as well as the small incision sites, and some patients have shoulder pain for the first day or two. The shoulder pain is caused by gas left in your abdomen during the operation. It will disappear on its own.
Which is better open or laparoscopic hernia repair?
Laparoscopic repair was associated with a lower risk of chronic groin pain compared with open repair. In the four systematic reviews assessing any laparoscopic versus any open repairs, laparoscopic repair was associated with a statistically significant (range: 26–46%) reduction in the odds or risk of chronic pain.
What to do while waiting for hernia surgery?
Take good care of yourself in the days/weeks leading up to your surgery. Eat well, stay hydrated, exercise at levels that do not cause excessive pain to the hernia and get plenty of sleep. Remember #1 — try to keep a positive outlook – over 1 million people go through hernia surgery each year in the US.
What tests are done before hernia surgery?
Hernia Surgery Preparation Preoperative preparation includes blood work, medical evaluation, chest x-ray and an EKG depending on your age and medical condition. After your surgeon reviews with you the potential risks and benefits of the operation, you will need to provide written consent for surgery.
How much weight do you lose after hiatal hernia surgery?
Patients are counseled that they will likely lose 10–15 pounds during the first 4–6 weeks after surgery before the nadir of weight loss (2).
How hard is recovery from hiatal hernia surgery?
How painful is recovery from hiatal hernia surgery? Many people experience discomfort and pain for 2-4 weeks after hiatal hernia surgery. Pain during the recovery process can usually be managed with medications. If you feel the discomfort is significant or if you have difficulty swallowing, contact your surgeon.
What is life like after hiatal hernia surgery?
Recovery from hiatal hernia surgery takes some time and requires many lifestyle changes; however, most can return more or less to normal within six weeks, with complete return to activity expected at three months. 1 Critical to the success of hiatal hernia surgery is careful attention to long-term care.
At what size should a hiatal hernia be repaired?
Lidor et al. therefore determined that hiatal hernias less than or equal to 2 cm were not clinically significant and should not count as a recurrence. They advocated for repair of all symptomatic recurrent hernias greater than 2 cm.
Is it worth fixing a hiatal hernia?
Small, asymptomatic hiatal hernias don’t usually need treatment. If you have a hiatal hernia causing mild symptoms, lifestyle changes and medication are sufficient treatments. It’s the severe hernias that require surgery.
What are signs that a hiatal hernia is getting worse?
Heartburn. Regurgitation of food or liquids into the mouth. Backflow of stomach acid into the esophagus (acid reflux) Difficulty swallowing. Chest or abdominal pain. Feeling full soon after you eat. Shortness of breath.
Are you awake for hiatal hernia surgery?
Laparoscopic surgery has smaller incisions and a shorter recovery time. A hiatal hernia repair is most often done while you are asleep under general anesthesia. Your healthcare provider will decide what kind of anesthesia to use. This will depend on the reason for the surgery and your overall health.
How long is the hospital stay after hiatal hernia surgery?
In most cases, patients are discharged the same day; however, some patients who have had abdominal wall hernia repair may need to stay in the hospital for two days.