Can a Tummy Tuck Make an Existing Hiatel Hernia Worse After the Procedure?

Question

I had a TT in April 2011, and my heartburn was always coontrolled by OTC meds. In August I started to have major stomach issues, sever burning and hardness, bloating, etc. I was prescribed Protonix, which makes my stomach hurt worse. Just wondered if the TT surgery could be related to the hernia issue? I also had an issue with my incision splitting open after surgery, and will have to have that repaired sometime.

Don W. Griffin, MD · Answer

While it is true that tightening the abdominal wall can increase your intraabdominal pressure which could potentially worsen your hiatal hernia symptoms, I am not sure that this explains why your symptoms have only started to worsen beginning 4 months postoperatively. If the abdominal plication were solely to blame, your symptoms should have worsened fairly soon after the surgery.

Karol A. Gutowski, MD, FACS · Answer

It is possible that early after a tummy tuck, the symptoms of a hiatal hernia could be worse (due to the increased pressure in the abdomen). I think it is much less likely to 4 months later as the pressure has usually improved by then.

Robert L. Kraft, MD, FACS · Answer

Tightening the tissue of the abdomen shifts the contents of the abdomen and, yes, this could aggravate a hiatus hernia.  It is possible that, when you have the incisional correction, a general surgeon could work on the hiatus hernia at the same time.

Rondi Kathleen Walker, MD - Account Suspended · Answer

Hiatal hernia symptoms may be worse after a tummy tuck. The abdomen is made much tighter and the abdominal contents (stomach and bowels) are pushed upward toward the diaphram. This increased pressure causes the hiatal hernia (a hernia of the diaphram) to become more symptomatic.

Can a Tummy Tuck Make an Existing Hiatel Hernia Worse After the Procedure?

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