Who Should Not Receive Hiatal Hernia Surgery? 

Biggest regret of my life was the day i decided i am going to buy a kettlebell and start swinging away to workout my core. Thats the route cause of how i got my hiatal hernia.

Thank you Dr for this information because I need to know this 🙏🏻😊

I cannot fucking SLEEP at all due to my hernia. I have a sliding one and I wake up every hour or two gasping cuz my stomach is in my fucking diaphragm and I can’t breathe. It’s a nightmare I can’t do it anymore 😭😭😭 I don’t want surgery cuz I heard it fucks you up and you cant eat on ur own for like 2-3 months ! Also complications to the surgery.

Recently diagnosed after having an endoscopy to look into my weight loss. Luckily my doctor knows the root cause and has said mine developed from pluerial effusion I had a few months ago. Resulting in lung scaring in both lungs and a bad chronic cough. 😞😞

Dr. What about if you have 2cm hiatal hernia but Esophageal Flap Hill grade IV and long term GERD of 20 years on PPI, lungs nodules, anxiety, palpitations, severe chest pain - non obstruction Atypical angina. Do you recommended a combo Nissen Fundoplacation w TIF or TIF alone?

everyone will recommend in whichever field they, if you have acute pain, surgery is only option. Just to get money, lot of people tell do chiropractor and nonsense stuff like that. This thing has only two options, surgery or pills for life. Until you get it, you wont know the pain.

I’ve been diagnosed with a hiatal hernia and have chronic chest pain/palpitations. I can’t sleep and have been so miserable. The endoscopy said it’s on the smaller side. Can the hiatal hernia cause these problems? I’m feeling a bit hopeless.

I feel miserable because of my hiatal hernia. I am underweight because of it, I get dehydrated often because of vomiting all the time. I am also physically fatigued at times. My quality of life is awful. I have no idea of how or why I have the hiatus hernia but the doctors don't want to do any surgery on me. I also have to have a very restricted diet so I have lost my appetite. The things I like to eat, I can't eat, my nutrition drinks I vomit. Sigh.

No mention of lung complications? Throat ? This is perhaps an over S implication.

My doctor said they won’t do the surgery because it comes undone again in a few years. Mine is bad and I’m skinny. I think it happened during a prior abdominal surgery.

I have just been told i have a hiatus hernia after having an endoscopy. The information given in general is not great. How does one live with it? will it get worse? Will I die from it eventually?

Could you please advise how to understand the percentage of stomach is above the normal position. Thank you

"The hope it's gonna a stay that way".. We are in 2023 and still we don't have a surgery that guarantee us a full recovery...I'm speckless...

Hello,Dr,very grateful to u for ur great information,Dr,my husband is 46 nd diagnosed large Hiatus hernia through endoscopy done, is it due to his unhealthy diet because from past so many yrs he had drank ice water,cold drinks,all the junk foods,I at home serve my family healthy diet which includes veggies ,fruits,salads but when he is out he consumes ,pls guide ,is this may be his root cause or any other ..if we have surgery n focus on his diet that won't failed that surgery kindly pls help..Dr,had tested his blood his total cholesterol is H 288.2,STriglycerides is H 700.8,VLDLcholesterol is H 140.16, Tc/HDLC ratio isH 8.16,.in liver function test his alkaline phosphate is H 320.0,in renal function test S uric acid is H 7.56..kindly suggest ..

I need more information, I have that and my doctor won’t do surgery. Please help me

I have a very large hiatal hernia that pushes my food back up and bad acid reflux to the point my esophagus is scarred from it😊

I ain’t no doctor But logically if you wait till 30% of stomach is in esophagus, won’t the hole be bigger and harder to heal/stay healed Common sense says fix it before the opening is that big And if you do surgery sooner it has better chance to heal because it’s not damaged as bad let alone long term esophageal corrosion from acid leaching up constantly. Can you tell me I’m wrong

But they did surgery on date 2 of nov but i still have heartburn

HLO MAM MY MOTHER HAS SLIDING TYPE OF HIATAL HERNIA AND THE DOCTORS SUGGESTING SURGERY BUT SHE HAS NO PAIN OR PROBLEM NOW SO WHAT TO DO I AM CONFUSED PLS HELP

i have copd and and i have a hiatel hernia . i am suppose to have surgery may 14 im very nervous im on oxogen 24/7 should i get it

How DO you remedy the situation?

I have no Symptoms no symptoms

I have a hertal hernia 2-cm should i get a surgery? I cant eat anything because its burning on my chest all the time.

And soooo,what is the root of the problem for weakening specific muscles that tighten esophageal hiatus? Does problem lie in rib nerves or cartilage joints or whatever? Bet you have it (hiatal hernia) dear old lady so you can tell us for what is the best solution or medicine to reverse defect to fabrick fiziology? From my perspective people that do not have this problem and especially gastroenterologist doctors have all the wrong answers to this problem but curageausly and consciously build up even more fizical and anatomical deformity to already deformed and weakened system without anny feeling and remorse for poor guy future life and health and all for satisfaction for cutting people and or frauding people and taking monney from their pockets.

🦆🦆🦆🦆🦆🦆

I'm doing yoga ever since I got diagnosed with hernia. I eat less. I suffer with acid reflux it's s pain. Cutting out foods gradually. It'll be a case of just liquid intake. As I hate being bloated. And feel nausea alot. Due to too much acid . It's a journey. Not easy. Also seeing a chiropractor every second week to help skeleton. first posture and then he will work on stomach area.

My life sucks having this and no medicine works so I was told to give up. Since medicine doesn''t I am to give up and suffer until I die. What do I do?

i am sorry doc i am not trying to rude here but if you got les and which is not working properly then how can it will be fixed without surgery ? there is not single research which shows that les dysfunction resolve with any exercise or medicine

You are such a blessing Dr. Peterson. You're wisdom and care are invaluable.

I really need your help, I am lost for what I need to do and this is ruining my life... I’m a 25 year old female, and I’ve been diagnosed 4 years ago with a hiatal hernia, GERD, and my lower Sphincter is permanently relaxed all due to an eating disorder (bulimia).. I’m in pain EVERY single day. Panic attacks EVERY single day. I have seen a cardiologist about 5 years ago, (so it has been awhile) and my heart was fine… I do drink quite often with friends as well, which I know makes the symptoms even worse.. but I really feel like it’s stemming from my hernia and less likely from my heart. Although, I think I should get my heart checked again just to be sure.. I haven’t had an endoscopy for a few years as well.. I’m feeling as if my hernia has gotten a lot worse. I can’t sleep, constant regurgitation (even water), can’t take a full or deep breath, my heart races/ skips beats/ pounds…. Which leads me into sever panic attacks. I’ve been to the ER countless times and nothing…they just say I have panic disorder , which may be true but these symptoms I’m having are what is triggering my panic attacks.. I am no longer active with my bulimia, and in recovery thankfully.. But now I feel like the other parts of my body are not recovering. I am deathly afraid of surgery, but I would do darn near anything to get rid of this pain, and get my life back..

Dr. Peterson is a "Doctor of Chiropractic", not a "Doctor of Medicine" so, take that into consideration when seeking medical solutions to your problems.

Can I avoid surgery with a diet change? I do not have gerd or acid reflux but after a cat scan on 12/29/2021 the doctor informed me that nearly my entire stomach is in my chest cavity. I have severe pain only when I eat too fast and/or too much food at one time. I am 80 years old in good shape with no physical limitations or problems. I’ve know about having a “large” hiatal hernia since 2/2015.

I've lost an Auntie today due to this 😭😭😭

God bless you, Dr. Petersen. I trust your information more than the 3 GI docs I’ve seen. Not one of the, not one, has even addressed my obesity as being a probable cause of my hiatal hernia. They haven’t even mentioned it. They go right to expensive, painful tests, and possible surgery.

I’m 5 foot 9 inches. I switched to an organic and vegetarian diet and lost 25 pounds (I currently weigh 178 lb). My breathing is difficult 99% of the time. Sometimes I get massive bloating in the upper abdomen and when this happens I almost can’t breathe at all. Very often it’s very difficult to swallow and more rarely it feels like food is sitting in my throat not wanting to go down. I had two endoscopy’s. the first one they spotted a medium sized Hiatal Hernia and the second time they said was small. I suspect it’s medium to large if they could glimpse it during one of my bloated episodes. My concern is that they only ever see it in the best of circumstances as my endoscopy were early in the morning after fasting, so less time to get irritated. I also get crazy jiggling spams in what I assume is my stomach. All these symptoms I’ve explained were while I’ve been taking omeprazole, but it gets worse when I stop. I don’t feel like losing weight or eating healthy is improving my symptoms nor is the omeprazole. I do not get heart palpitations or acid reflux. Should I get surgery if breathing is this bad 24/7? Is it possible a HH could cause mainly breathing problems?

I regret fundoplication surgery. This has changed my anatomy for the rest of my life. I simply changed one symptom for another. I have lost my appetite and my ability to swallow in a normal fashion, often times getting food stuck in my esophagus. Lots of daily gas. Have gone to emergency twice. I should have waited. Had I known I would have forgone the Surgery.

I have 6 pack abs, I weight 178LB same as when I was 18. I take fiber up the wazoo. Okay NEXT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I considered all these things. My voice is hoarse. I throat feels like someone sandpapered it every day. so now what genius.

HIATAL HERNIA WAS MY ROOT CAUSE

If I am suffering from shortness of breathe multiple times a day and not being able to sleep even sitting up without struggling to breathe. Should I get this surgery ? My surgeon has offered it but I am a very anxious person and am not sure if it’s a good choice

Huge improvement for me by dropping all grain (over a cold yrs), yet struggling with adhesions from previous surgeries!

I’m having horrible anxiety, derealization which came on days after I had severe bloating now I have acid reflux

If I hear her say root cause one more time I am going to...Let me tell you. My voice is constantly hoarse and i feel like shit. what now?

I have no idea how long I've had the hiatal hernia, but do know my Father had the same problem and it interfered with his life. I am 57yo female and currently obese. BMI>35. But I have been a lifelong sufferer of Migraine Disease and have experienced hundreds of episodes of violent vomiting. This alone could cause it to occur. I will lower my BMI. I truly must stop the GERD for quality of life. At this time, I do not know how much of the stomach is sliding into the thorax. PPIs have been unsuccessful. I am truly concerned for reoccurrence if and when I have surgery.

I when to the hospital to be told I have hiatal hernia but heard that with me having it. That I can't work and I'm in the process getting into see a gastroenterologist doctor.

Hi! I discovered a HH after 1.5 years of not being able to breathe. I went to every specialist and did every test possible. Is surgery recommended? I’m desperate. Thank you!

Mind opening advice, my Dr. did an endoscopy last week and found a small hernia , but next week she'll discuss options for me. Since then I have been looking for information and your advice gave me peace of mind, thank you.

Thanckyou DR. FOR. THE INFORMATION. I HAVE. ONE OF THEN. AND THR DRS SAID. THE OP IS RISKY. AND IT MY COMEBACK. I AN 74. So I think is best. To live it for. Foseable. Future 🥰🙏👏❤️🇨🇴🇨🇰

I'm just over 5 mins in and I've realised that I will be refused this surgery at the NHS. I have hEDS and all the accompanying ailments that go with it like CPD (chronic pain disease) & IBS, IBD, POTs, hypermobility ect. I've had this HH for 2 years, I've lost several stone, my teeth are rotting away from the acid as I'm sick several times a day, every day (not one brand of anti sickness works, I have to take 4 different kinds to have an effect or I'm constantly retching and/or vomiting, hardly no respite), my tongues burned with sores and food has to be bland and I could eat Naga chilli like they were gherkins before this. My farts are more disgusting smelling and more of them. I'm fed up with burping and sick coming up, fed up sleeping sitting up, I'm fed up because I have so much else going on. If they can't fix this then there's no point carrying on. I don't have kids to worry about. And with covid, they are only just starting to see people again and it's a long wait to the door, despite this being on going for 2 years. And no, I can't afford private. I'm 34 & Female btw. I don't expect to hear but back, I guess I'm venting to no one and everyone 🤷

Fascinating, & informative, it's good to know, surgery(invasive) is not the only option. Prevention is better than, cure.A very, caring, & understanding, sympathetic, approach, to this, universal, problem. Much appreciated.

My hiatal hernia it’s weird as hell, because my symptoms such as heartburn goes away and then comes back. I’ve been lifting weights for 3 years now and no symptoms, but this last month my symptoms come back again. But if this keeps happening eventually I’m doing surgery, I feel scared as hell but it is what it is. Hopefully after a surgery recovery, I could go back to heavy lifting because that’s my passion.

I have just been diagnosed with a large mixed hiatus hernia. I'm 30 yo female. My stomach appears to be normal. I am very worried about the surgery but I do have acid reflux pain in my chest and shortness of breath occasionally. Things get better with pantoprazole. I am so worried about the surgery I wonder if you could tell me what to do

My doctor said to do surgery on time otherwise cancer can occur due to infection

the purpose of surgery is to stitch the hiatal hole and tighten it regardless of how big the hernia is. In other side, the cause is not internally, but external such as lifting heavy stuffs.

i got injured at work and took 3 years off. in that time i lost about 13 pounds and my muscle mass decreased. i was inactive and stayed home at all times. that was when my stomach issues got sever and i learned i had a hiatal hernia. im thinking i loss muscle mass and my diaphragm got weak and that caused the hiatal hernia. im gaining my weight back but i still have the hernia and want to get rid of it so bad

I have had reflux esophigitis for over 3 years now possibly from a hiatal hernia that Ive had . It bothered me more so like 20 yrs ago so thats why im confused why I have this . I also have abdominal pain near navel and lower left in the intestinal area . Im sick of suffering with all of this and I ve been to two GI Drs. ,chiropractic , a nutritionist , naturopathic doctor , taking a boat load of supplements even ppis ( only a few made me more sick) and nothing seems to work . I feel like if h.h. is the problem ( been told its a mechanical issue with the valve) then i dont wanna prolong the agony but still concerned to do surgery if thats not whats going on . I dont get reguritation , taking pills is kinda hard to swallow but i can eat alright . So when do you go for the surgery when you have dealt with this mess for so long and quality of life is low ??

What if you need it as its effecting your breathing??

What's the alternative if surgery is not an option?

I have a hiatal hernia with acid reflux, a belching sensation, chronic cough and chronic hiccups. I don’t know which type of hiatal hernia I have.

Thanks for this video. Very informative.

I've been suffered from HIATAL HERNIA since 5 yrs ago after the endoscopy test revealed it to me untill now i feel my stomach becomes tighter cause the food can't reaches down properly and they didn't even mention the possible causes to me i really appreciate this video now i can have an idea of what can cause it ...they advice me to undergo the surgery but i don't want to do it and economiquely i am not on point...i feel my life is Falling apart because of this sh**t

Hi Dr do you think its better to have a baby before the surgery or after its healed? Or is pregnancy contraindicated in this condition?

Hello Dr. Vikki Petersen. Thanks for the information on surgery. I have a Hiatal Hernia that gives me a lot of problems with GERD. I believe I developed due to bad posture since I work on the computer a lot and being sit down for long hours. I had endoscopies but my HH is too small to have surgery. My doctor told me to lose weight, eat lots of vegies and fruits, control stress levels, exercise, east slowly, small meals, no citric, no soft drinks, etc, etc. What other things can I do to get better? Don't like taking antacids and PPI's, H2 blockers since they come and has given me lots of side effects. I can contact your office but I am not sure if you can help me any further than where I am . Thanks.

Best surgery was the worst thing that I've ever gone through. And now I'm starting to get reflux again. I have stomach pain. That's crippling due to Gas and bloating. When they did the repair surgery, he. Also did a Nissen fundoplication. Now I can't vomit. I have to wretch every time I need to vomit. And burping is no longer an adoption. So you know where that all goes to. Also during the procedure, my vagus nerve severed. So now I have gastroparesis as well. My stomach was up inside my ribs. So I guess it was important to have it done. But now I have daily stomachache. I can't swallow properly. I throw up food that ends up in myself. I guess that can't get through the esophagus.and honestly. I have no idea what the heck to do now! The Doctor did not explain any of these possibilities. Or side effects and promised me that I would never have to take any kind of acid reflex medicine ever again. But now I'm back on Medication for heartburn or acid reflux again. Any? Suggestions of what I can do now?

My husband suffering from acid reflux for a year time .he did endoscopy recently doctor said it's oesophagties A.does he need surgery or it can be treated by medication .please help me

How do you know if you don't need the surgery? That's a question I have. I've had a undiagnosed hiatel hurnia who knows how long which damaged my esophagus I now have 50 percent function of my esophagus meds weren't working anymore constant acid flow chronic sinus issues ear infections migraines high blood pressure stroke like symptoms my stomach was bulging up my diaphragm eso spasms. Couldn't bend down to pick anything up without a attack of severe pressure in my chest traveling to my head heart issues etc.polyps in my stomach around 30 at least List goes on I think I needed the surgery . Get the surgery if med don't help. Dont wait till it gets this bad No one should live this way.

I just had the upper Endoscopy on November 30, 2020. Yep! I've got the hernia and couldn't swallow food. Had to stretch esophogas, have ulcers, a lot of inflammation. Proton Pump Inhibitor caused SEVERE chest pain that almost sent me to emergency room. I have been so scared and your video really gave me peace.

How to stop palpitations my heart rate reaches 130+, im soo scared ive been diagnosed with hiatus hernia and barretts esophagus 😞 i dunno what to do , ive done my ECG AND ECO everything is fine

PPI’s are life threatening

Just pain in my left side by rib cage

This is great information. The only reason I'm not doing the Root Cause Clinic program now is the cost. I did an intital consult a few years ago and was told that they could get the fee down to $1000 for limited treatment. That us more than some of us can afford.

Help please burping 3 days such left sided pain it's not my heart I can't eat I'm on pantoprozole for Achalasia oh lord it's 43mm sliding and rolling hiatus hernia please it's scaring me

It’s all very well saying let’s find the root cause of it but unfortunately a lot of the time you never will know why you developed a Hiatus hernia I get where this woman is coming from and I’m sure she means well but surgery is very successful in most cases, if this apparent natural thing worked then the nhs and other companies would be providing it 😅

Hi lovely am suffering with bad heartburn and the stress am going through is making it worse I am going for a endoscopy next week how else can I fix this problem I have tried changing my diet I don’t know what else to do can we do a zoom call as am in Australia

In September of 2020 I had surgery on my hiatal hernia Fundoplication . I was good for almost for a year without any reflux but in late March I was experiencing some reflux . I went to my surgeon and told him what I was experiencing, he order a upper GI which showed residual media above where abdomen was wrap. My surgeon did mention to me after the surgery wrap was done not too tight

I have hiatal hernia for very long, in my case it’s causing sleep apnea. Is that a common symptom ?

Just get the surgery. Go to an actual professional surgeon . Not just the closest one in your area. They have no idea. Virginia Heartburn and hernia Institute. Nothing else will work

Any one here had Nissen Fundoplication? And feel other symptoms in your gut? Is been a year since surgery, surgery fixed all my reflux symptoms also my gallbladder was out, but now is been so miserable because I can’t eat normally, everything cause even diarrhea or constipation, bloating all the time, gas etc. please any advice

13 minute video that could have been 3 minutes. Ugh. Repeating and repeating and repeating the same exact points over and over. Whew.

I had my hiatel hernia done a few days ago. What can I do to prevent future problems?

I do exercises that push the stomach out of my esophagus. Daily. I do three forms of exercise from pulling down beginning at one inch below the V on the left side of my ribcage. This I do several times throughout the day, as well as drinking water to add weight into my stomach, lifting my heels and coming down hard to the floor several times, and lifting my arms above my head as I am standing and breathing steadily in puffs of air for about five to ten minutes and the results have been very positive. Of course, because the stomach tends to slide back, I will do these exercise a few times each day. I learned these exercises from a few RU-vid sites over the past couple of months and can't speak highly enough of this approach.

Thank You So Much Dr You’re just the Best

How is the root cause discovered? My hernia is 70cms.

You're such a professional...and soothing to listen to 😊

Am sick of having flare ups am on waiting list for surgery 5years 😢

What about someone that has had a gastro sleeve, a high pressured system? Can they get a repair?

NO ONE CUZ you can get rid of it with proper posture & exercises …

I have a small hiatal hernia, I had all test for a surgery but the doctor said my ph monitoring was normal so he didn't recommend surgery, but my symptoms are bad and I feel sore everyday on my abdomen left side , I have esophagitis .

Doctor of Chiropractic is talking about hiatal hernia. Interesting

I have a hiatal hernia that changes sizes, now large size again. My doctors tell that I have to have one. I have been taking pantaprozole for many years and it helps my GERD, all have to deal with lately is burping after meals. I will have another barium swallow, I was told that it will be with CT. So when I get the results, I need to ask for the percentage. I really don't want surgery I am 78 now.

I was just told I have a small Hiatal Hernia. I don't know if a Manometry Test , Barium swallow test or endoscopy found it. My esophagus look's really clear on Endoscopy and Barium swallow only showed a slight slowing down of food passing through but nothing major. I am suffering from food coming back up my Esophagus into my throat and sometimes my mouth I also suffer from chest pains and light headiness I also have to belch a lot which leaves a sour taste in my mouth. I was on PPI's for 30 months and these only had some effect. I came off them as I couldn't tolerate them anymore. I am considering a MRI or CT scan to check it depending on which is best for it. Any advice would be great.

I am still waiting on the 2nd step? I have not heard it yet.

What age is the cut off for a healthy person? If it's not a life threat, should person in their early 80's consider it if they can digest with drugs and many small meals a day?

THANKS FOR THE VALUABLE INFORMATION, DR PETERSON. "SURGEONS LOVE TO DO SURGERY" IS TRUE...BUT IT'S NOT "FINE"... I WONDER HOW MANY PEOPLE HAVE DIED DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY BECAUSE 'SURGEONS LOVE TO DO SURGERY'... AREN'T THEY PHYSICIANS FIRST ANYMORE!

I had both surgeries back in 2021 & unfortunately, I still have the exact same symptoms. I went back to my GI doc & did a ph balance test. It shows that I still have severe reflux. I asked her why when I had 2 surgeries & she said that sometimes there is a 1% chance that this surgery does not work. I didn't even work out or lift anything that I was not supposed to. She gave me carafate & it's been a month on this meds & it is still not helping. She wants to do another bravo test and/ or repeat the surgery and have the band tightened. UGH Thanks for reading,

How can someone from outside U.S access your services?

What causes the variety of reasons. I have had contact pain for 4 yrsbI have tried many many things.

I have a question: I had a tummy tuck, and I told the surgeon that I had a small hiatal hernia, and he said he would fix it well he didn’t because I started getting choked easier again. My lung doctor did a CT scan of my lungs and said that I had a moderate hiatal hernia. I knew he didn’t fix it. So I messaged the surgeons nurse and she said he didn’t have anything in his notes so I guess he didn’t see it. I told that to my lung doctor and he said he guessed that he didn’t go all the way up on my tummy tuck so it made it larger because when he tightened the rest of my stomach muscles it caused it to push up kore from the pressure. So it has been almost 2 years and now I am starting to throw up. My question is would he have been able to see a small hernia as he was performing the tummy tuck?

Thank you so much Vikki, you are a lifesafer!

Have you ever known anyone who went gluten free for at least several months, and when they started eating gluten again, they not only did not feel bad, but felt better?

Thank you Dr. Patterson for being so honest. My doctores are not being honest with me. I have seen 3 different Surgeon and they give me contradictions. I trust your judgment. Can I make an appt with you? Please?I need your opinion?