Believe me, I have studied hiatal hernias and the surgery a great deal. The surgeon will make five little cuts in my abdomen and do the surgery laproscopically. He's done over 1,000 of them and says it should take anywhere from 45 minutes to an hour.

After about 6 weeks I will be able to start eating regularly. I should only have to stay in the hospital one night, assuming all goes well. After about three months, I should be totally back to par, being able to lift more than three pounds, do laundry, golf, etc. Of course, I can't do those things now because of back problems.

There is a hereditary component. Also, I think pregnancies can create them or make them worse. Being overweight doesn't help. I remember those factors because they apply to me. But babies can even be born with hiatal hernias. They don't get better on their own, but some people can have them and not have any symptoms.

I have had a hernia for over 20 years. My symptoms have been getting worse and worse. I have been taking the strongest prescription meds I can for a good while and monitored my foods, etc., and these things aren't helping. So, I was sent by my ENT to this surgeon, who evaluated me and determined that I am a candidate for surgery.

I didn't want to wait much longer because I am quickly getting worse. Aging plays a role in that, too. (I am 58.) I know people who couldn't have the surgery (such as my mom) because their hernias have gotten too big. The surgeon has to get somewhat close to the heart in doing the surgery--and in the case of really big hernias, it becomes too dangerous.

Lynn P., I probably told you and everybody else more than you wanted to know!