Can I have hernia repair and gastric bypass surgery together? The short answer is maybe. It depends on a few factors, but it is an option for some patients. Here’s what you should know about hernia repair and gastric bypass together.
What is Hernia Repair? 
A hiatal hernia occurs when there is a gap, or hole, in the diaphragm. The diaphragm is a large muscle that separates the abdominal cavity from the chest cavity. When it is weak or damaged, a portion of the stomach can migrate into the chest through the hole in the diaphragm. This may cause symptoms like heartburn and vomiting.
Due to the increased pressure on the diaphragm, hiatal hernias are more common in patients with obesity. Unfortunately, the higher intraabdominal pressure can cause these hernias to enlarge and worsen reflux over time.
What is Gastric Bypass?
Gastric bypass is a type of bariatric surgery. During the surgery, a provider removes a large portion of the stomach and attaches the smaller stomach to the small intestine. Shrinking the stomach helps patients lose weight since they consume fewer calories. Additionally, bypassing a portion of the intestine reduces caloric intake.
Hernia Repair and Gastric Bypass Together
It’s possible that your surgeon can perform a hernia repair and gastric bypass together. If you have a hiatal hernia, the chances are high that it can be repaired during your bariatric surgery. Small hiatal hernias can be repaired through a minimally invasive technique at the time of your bariatric surgery.
However, for paraesophageal, or Type II hiatal hernias, you may require two separate surgeries. Paraesophageal hiatal hernia repairs often require mesh or biological barrier for repair. Therefore, they can’t be performed during your gastric bypass.
Hernia Repair Surgeon Near Me
Studies have shown that concurrent bariatric surgery and hernia repair allow patients to lose more than 70% of their excess body weight, reduce the risk of hernia recurrence, and significantly reduce comorbidity. If you need hernia repair and gastric bypass surgery together, please contact Maryland Bariatrics to schedule a consultation.
