The study will examine potential biological and genetic mechanisms leading to hiatal and paraesophageal hernia formation in predisposed individuals. It is expected that these patients will have defects in the normal production and maturation of collagen and other connective tissue proteins, thus leading to weakness in the diaphragm that may allow for spontaneous herniation. Comparison of tissue and blood samples from these patients (study group) will be made to those from individuals undergoing lower esophageal surgery who have not developed a concurrent hernia (i.e. esophageal myotomy for achalasia and laparoscopic gastric bypass or laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding for morbid obesity - control group).