Hello, all. I am wondering if those who had GPEH repair used a thoracic surgeon or a bariatric surgeon. I am going through the University of Michigan heath system, as that is the best hospital I have access to. When I was in the ED there for severe abdominal pain, they did a ct scan and discovered my previously moderate sized hernia had become huge, with most of my stomach now above the diaphragm. I am a nervous wreck about this surgery - especially because I am a single parent now, with my ex-husband mostly out of the picture and unwilling to help. I lack family support, as well, and have posted about it previously.
The ED referred me to a surgeon who happened to be a bariatric surgeon. She was great, but will be on leave until November and I know I can’t wait that long. She referred me to her colleague, Jonathan Finks, also a bariatric surgeon. I liked him, too, but my GI doctor says I need a thoracic surgeon for this. Dr. Finks kindly referred me to a thoracic surgeon, Phillip Carrott, so I could get his view on surgery. I was told thoracic sometimes tries to do it laparoscopically, but often they do open surgery.
The consult with the thoracic surgeon isn’t until two weeks from now. As it is, the bariatric surgeon can’t get me in for 6 weeks. I don’t know if I can wait that long. I’m not able to eat anything now. Things seem to be changing rapidly with much more pain and pressure than even a month ago, and I am becoming more anxious and fearful. I almost went back to ED today, and still might, but I’m not sure what they can do for me, since it’s clear I need surgery. I’ve lost 20 pounds in a month just from not being able to eat. Embarrassingly, I have 23 additional pounds to lose before I am out of the obese category. I am small framed, and had never been overweight prior to my pregnancy, which is when I developed the hernia, and it has really taken a toll on my health. I don’t have heart issues, or diabetes, thankfully, but I do have fatty liver, and I’m not in the best physical shape for a surgery like this.
I appreciate any input any of you can provide on this issue! Thank you!!
Thoraic surgeon, definitely! I had my GPEH done laparoscopically by a thoracic surgery group. My stomach was well into my chest too. You need a group to do surgery. This is not a one doctor operating solo surgery. Can you get to another place, like Cleveland or Pittsburgh? There are good thoracic surgeons there. You want a group that does lap surg, although you should be aware that sometimes it is necessary to convert to open. It makes a big difference! I've had other open surgeries and wouldn't ask for that again unless lap procedure just wasn't possible.
Hopefully you have all your records and disks showing your imaging to take with you to appointments.
Hopefully you have all your records and disks showing your imaging to take with you to appointments.