Hiatal hernia how long to heal

If they do, symptoms may be treated with medications or lifestyle changes, though if these do not work, surgery may give long-term relief from acid reflux and GERD.

Even when hiatal hernia surgery is necessary, the procedure is usually minimally invasive and has a high success rate. Most people make a full recovery in just a few weeks. Epigastric pain is felt in the upper abdomen, below the ribcage but above the intestines.

Learn about the possible causes, including GERD and…. A hiatal hernia occurs when part of the stomach pushes through the diaphragm. Possible causes include injury, obesity, pregnancy, and older age. In this article, we look at the types of hernia repair herniorrhaphy, hernioplasty , including when to see a doctor, and the risk factors involved. What to know about hiatal hernia surgery. Medically reviewed by Saurabh Sethi, M. When is surgery required? Types of surgery Recovery time Effectiveness Complications Alternatives Takeaway We include products we think are useful for our readers.

Share on Pinterest Hiatal hernias can often be treated with medication or lifestyle changes, but some may require surgery. What types of surgery are there? Recovery time. Share on Pinterest After surgery, a person should drink clear liquids and then move onto soft foods, such as mashed potatoes.

How effective is hiatal hernia surgery? Complications and risks. Alternatives to hiatal hernia surgery. It's not clear what causes a hiatus hernia. Anyone can have one, but it's more common if you're over 50, pregnant or overweight.

Page last reviewed: 01 April Next review due: 01 April Hiatus hernia. Check if you have a hiatus hernia You can have a hiatus hernia without knowing and without it being a problem. Research Community. Medical Learners. Job Seekers. Hernia Surgery. What to Expect After Surgery Expect stay in the hospital one to two days after this procedure. Diet This surgical procedure does require diet restrictions after surgery.

Wound care It is OK to shower starting around 36 hours after surgery. No baths, pools or hot tubs for two weeks.

Driving You will usually be able drive when you have not needed the narcotic prescription pain medications for two days. Bowel Movements The first bowel movement may occur anywhere from 1 — 5 days after surgery — as long as you are not nauseated or having abdominal pain this variation is acceptable. When to call Call your surgeon's office if any of the following occur: Fever to Back to Top. While a small hernia may not cause any lingering medical complications, a larger hiatal hernia can lead to severe Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease GERD.

The first line of treatment for patients who have symptoms is usually medications, such as pepcid or protonix. However, if the medications do not work, or if you have become dependent on the medications for several years, you may be a candidate for surgical repair of the hiatal hernia. In this article, we will tell you about hiatal hernia surgery. If patients have a large hernia, or if a hiatal hernia is at risk of becoming constricted or strangulated, surgery is often recommended to prevent further medical problems.

Symptoms of medical complications of a hiatal hernia include:. If left untreated, even a small hiatal hernia can lead to chronic gastroesophageal reflux, which can cause further complications such as inflammation , esophageal ulcers, and bleeding or scarring of the esophagus.

There are three available surgeries to treat hiatal hernias, all of which are performed under general anesthesia and that take on average at Olde Del Mar Surgical an hour to complete. During surgery, your surgeon will repair the rupture in the diaphragm and then wrap the upper part of the stomach, called the fundus, around the lower portion of the esophagus.

This creates a natural valve so that stomach contents will not reflux into the esophagus. This is the most common procedure performed to repair a hiatal hernia since there is less risk of pain, scarring, and infection. In a laparoscopic repair, your surgeon will make 5 small incisions in the abdomen into which surgical instruments will be inserted to pull the stomach back into the abdominal cavity.

The surgeon will repair the hernia with sutures placed laparoscopically and sometimes mesh to reinforce the sutures. The decision to use mesh is typically made during the surgery depending on the size of the hernia and the strength of the muscles that have to be repaired. Afterwards, your surgeon will recreate the natural valve between the stomach and esophagus by wrapping the upper part of the stomach around the lower portion of the esophagus to help reduce the episodes of reflux.

The newest of the three procedures, endoluminal fundoplication is the least invasive option. Instead of making an incision, your surgeon will use an endoscope, inserted orally, to place small clips at the point where the stomach meets the esophagus to prevent stomach acid and food from building up.

Although there was a lot of enthusiasm for these procedures a few years ago, they have become less popular as a result of poor outcomes and a higher complication rate when compared to the laparoscopic operations.