Lap Nissan Surgery

I am new to this sight. I am almost 54 yr old female.   I am scheduled for surgery next Monday and am looking forward to not having anymore acid reflux.  I have had acid reflux for 30 years now... I really had it bad when I was pregnant for both of our children.  I am currently taking 80 mg of Nexium twice a day and also Pepcid Complete a few times a day.  I can even bend over to tie my shoes because the reflux comes right up.  I have severe asthma and am hoping that by having the surgery it will help waking up in the middle of the night grasping for a breath because the acid reflux is coming out my nose.  I have been sleeping sitting up on the couch with 4 pillows.  We did put a wedge under the mattress on my side of the bed but that really doesn't help as much as sitting up.  I will be very happy to be able to get a good night sleep.  I also have a hiatial hernia which the doctor is going to fix when I have surgery.  He said that he usually does the wrap on the tight side because the patient has much more success with it.

As far as loosing weight with this surgery, I can afford to lose the 15 to 20 lbs that he says that most of his patients lose.  That is what I have gained over the past two years because of being on steriods for my asthma. 

I could not do the complete ph test they do... it was terrible and I kept wrenching.  I couldn't take any Nexium for a week before so it was like a furnace in my throat and stomach.  They ended up having me taking it out after 7 hours.  There was enough information to get what they needed.  It hurt to drink water or eat anything after I had that test done for about 3 days.  I didn't think the endoscopy was bad at all.

 

My surgeon does 50 of these a year and is up on the procedures that are the best for the patient.  I know this surgeon and am very comfortable with what he is going to do.  His partner has taken out my appendix, plus 3 other surgeries.  He has done hernia surgery on my husband twice with a very good success rating. 

I know that it is going to take me some time to learn how to eat slow.  I have always been a very, very fast eater and can take a handful of pills all at once.  Not anymore.  I will have to take one pill at a time and will have to wait and take my calcium in about a month after my surgery.

I guess it depends on where you live in the country and what type of hospital it is.  MMC is a very,very good hospital and is a teaching hospital. The most up-to-date procedures are done here.

Well, that's about 4 a month which is acceptable I think.  The surgeon I saw says he has done about 160 in 14 years of practice, and that's why I'm getting a new surgeon who has done more of these.  I'm considering going to Seattle where there is a renowned surgeon who specializes in a different type of GERD surgery that is suppose to be more natural instead of wrapping the stomach. It's called the Hill Repair, invented by a DR. Hill in Seattle.   I live in Florida, so this is quite a long way and more expense but it would be worth it to have the best guy doing it. 

I can't help with the phlegm problem...I don't seem to have that trouble.

 I've only had GERD for two years and I can't imagine going 30 years with this horrible heartburn. Hope all goes well with you and please come back after your surgery and tell us how you are doing.  We all benefit from everyone's experiences and it's great support for you.   

Hi sillylilly,

I'm in florida too. When are you going for the surgery and I have heard about the Hill procedure, do we have anyone that has had it done on this site?  I want to make sure I am getting the right procedure done.

Tina

Hello all,

I had open fundo about 15 months ago and am doing wonderful.  I know how you all feel that haven't had the surgery yet.  Acid reflux is not a fun thing.  I would not wish that burning sensation on anyone.  I live in Thailand so I was unable to get the laproscopic, but am very happy with the results.  I was in the hospital for a couple of weeks and had a month of down time, but lap patients heal much quicker.  At first eating is a bit of a learning process.  Chew Chew Chew and take small bites.  I had food get stuck in my throat severl times and could only walk it off.  Not a good feeling.  I was able to burp after about 4 months.  It was a happy day.  I am unable to vomit, which is good and bad if you think about it.  So anyway, now I am able to eat and drink whatever I would like without any problems.  I get a good nights sleep.  The only problem I have is taking medicine.  I still try to take too many at one time and it tends to get stuck in a fold.  Ask your doctor about this.  When they do the wrap it can cause folds and food and meds can get stuck.  Just drink lots of water and oddly enough I keep a jar of gummies next to my bed and after I take my meds I eat a few and usually do not have any problems.  I just wanted to let you know that it is 100% worth it especially if you can do laproscopic and even if you can't the long scar is well worth it.  Good Luck

Sawasdee Cop

Hi tsqaured,

I sure hope you get relief from your surgery. Since you are very thin, maybe you can have protein drinks and ensure so that you don't loose anymore weight. Hopefully by venting it will help you not be so depressed.

My mother and twin sister had this surgery, mom two years ago and my sister last year at this time. They both are success stories. The one thing they said was that they can not longer vomit, but that is a small price to pay for not having acid reflux anymore. They had absolutely no side effects from the surgery. Actually my sister started eating solid food after 3 weeks, which is definitely NOT RECOMMENDED but she said she was starving. I don't plan on cheating and eating early because I want my surgery to last.

My surgeon did say that the Lap Nissan does have what they called a shelf life of about 15 to 20 years. I don't know if anyone's surgeon's have told you the same thing.

I haven't heard of the Hill? What type of surgery or procedure is this?

i had a lap nissen back in 05, had to have it redone in 06, and now I went in because i throw up and am nauseated all the time. they are saying i need a THIRD lap nissen!!!!!! I am back on two antiacids and an antibiotic. I dont know if I recommend any of you having it this has been a nightmare for me.

angie

 I have a 20 month year old son who had the nissan surgery when he was 2 months old. Now he is having trouble swallowing food, and if he has to vomit he gags and can turn colors on me. Do you think something isn't right or is this normal.

Post Edited (Marge3) : 6/9/2008 6:31:21 PM (GMT-6)

 Thank you. I took him in and they said it could be coming undone or it could be to tight. So we are scheduling a swallow study to see whats next.

How do you know if you have nerve damage from swallowing?

Does anyone know anything about the nissan surgery?

does anyone out there know if you can do a bravo test in 24 hours vs 48 hours.  I have read that a great deal of  people had a great deal of discomfort from the bravo test.  Isn't it better than the test that you put the wires up the nose into the esophagus for 24 hours?

Smoky