ScottR, I'm glad to hear recovery is going well! I haven't had a hiatal hernia, but did have 2 inguinal hernia surgeries and 1 ubmillical hernia surgery...FWIW, the staples came out pain free for me.
ScottL, I don't think Scott's hernia is the same as the type that is often associated with lifting. I don't know anything about hiatal hernia's though.
The kind you're thinking of are the inguinal (in the groin) or umbillical (belly button region). These are the ones associated with lifting, but could also be caused by a genetic weakness of the abdominal wall (my problem) and by aging..where the elasticity of the wall decreases as we age and becomes more prone to breaking.
Surgery for these, and I'm oversimplifying, is basically putting the muscles back behind the wall..Then using a piece of titanium mesh (or some other material) to close and re-enforce the wall. There are several methods but this was the most common when I had my last one repaired.
Life long fix? I sure as hell hope so! For the types of hernias I've had, recurrances are possible, and most likely to happen in the few years immediately following the repair. If you get past those couple of years ok, you're usually home free.
And glad you're doing well, the best part about surgery is when it's over! 
