I have hiatal hernia as well, no throwing up though. I do wake up every night and have to drink water. I've had it for many years. When I took acid blockers it gave me the hernia, one of the side effects that no one tells you about.
I do not know if surgery is the answer. There are many posts here that I have had some help with.
1. Do you take apple cider vinegar? Can you?
2. Have you tried bouncing? Trampoline or just jumping with a water in you stomach.
3. Do you take probiotics and enzymes?
4. What is Suboxone for?
5. Is red pepper hard for you? If not I would also take it food.