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Posted 8/14/2008 12:07 PM (GMT 0)
I've tried to watch the video Carolyn posted but every time I click on the link it brings up the Tampa General Hospital page. Is there another link I need to click on? I can't find anything on the Nissen.

Scott
Posted 8/14/2008 1:24 PM (GMT 0)

SillyLilly,

     I'm getting the nissen fundo done by Dr Rosemurgy from USF, I''m scedualed to go in next wednesday.  I live here in Tampa Florida.  I am 27 and have horrendous reflux...Im actually on a liquid diet now so I guess converting to liquid diet won't be that hard for me.  I am scared out of my mind because I have no idea what to expect from this surgery.  All I know is I am in agony right now and any type of improvement would be a blessing.  I have tried everything to fix this and nothing is working.  This is my last resort and I am praying this will fix this disease.  I have a very weak LES as shown by the mamometry test and a hiatal hernia. I am sure that is causing most of my reflux problems.  I am sooooo scared because theres always that voice "well what if it doesnt work, then what???"  UGH I hate thinking like that, I have to think positive but sometimes it is so hard to do that.  But anything would be better than suffering like this...everyday of my life.  It's no life when u bend over and bile comes out of your mouth.  Or you burp up 50 times a day because your LES doesnt even work.  Or you drink water and it shoots right back up into your mouth.  Thats what happens to me.  Everytime I drink it just shoots right back into my mouth!  UGH.  WEll I will keep everyone posted as to how my surgery goes.  God Bless

-GAbbs

Posted 8/14/2008 8:24 PM (GMT 0)
Scott,

Try www.or-live.com/tgh/1332/ and then click "view live webcast".

Gabby...you are having your surgery the same day I am only I'll be in Seattle getting the Hill repair. It sounds like you really need the surgery with the severe symptoms you are having.
I think you are in excellent hands with Dr. Rosemurgy but I understand your apprehension also. I hope you watch the video posted above and it should calm some of your nerves when you see Dr. Rosemurgy perform the Nissen. He is definately a pro and so is his team. I'll be saying a prayer for you on Wednesday and we'll have to compare notes when we I get back. God bless.

John....you are cracking me up with the gas jokes LOL.. .you still have your sense of humor which really helps...but I'm sorry that those hiccups are such a drag. I'm sure you've been looking for answers. Here's two links to consider and to talk to Dr. Louie about. Do the hiccups go away after eating in a reasonably short time or do they last awhile? Here's praying for relief soon. Blessings,

www.ncbi/nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12165833
www.mayoclinic.com/health/hiccups/DS00975/DSECTION=causes
Posted 8/18/2008 1:40 AM (GMT 0)
Well, I saw Dr. Louie late last week and he answered a lot of my questions.

 

First of all, itappears that his associate, Dr Aye evaluates all of the tests prior to deciding wht type of surgery to do.  Evidently I was considered for all options including the Hill repair and Dr. Aye determined that the Nissen was the best route for me to go.

 

Also, I'm not healing as quickly as normal as 4 weeks out I should not be having the severe hiccuping every time I eat and I should be able to eat more normally and should not be having that choking backing up feeling that I get when I first start to eat solid food.

 

So, that being said, he said to give it 4 more weeks and if things are not dramatically improved I will go back for a stretching of the esophagus and the wrapThenAlso, he prescribled some medicine that is supposed to help my stomach.  But I don't have it yet since my pharmacy had to special order it.  When I get it, I'll let you all know what it is and how it is working.

 

I did find out yesterday that I could throw up.  I went on a family picnic and we had fried chicken.  I wanted some so badly I couldn't help but start chewing on a piece (I should be able to do this by now) and I couldn't hold it down.  I was off in the bushes heaving it all up.  Then again yesterday something didn't agree with me and up it came.  I sure hope this new medicine helps.

 

All that being said, I'm still feeling very positive about having the surgery and where I am right now overall.  No reflux at all - hallelujah!!!  The scars are fading now and I should have no visible scarring which is great. 

 

How is everyone else doing?

 

John

 

 

Posted 8/18/2008 4:16 AM (GMT 0)
 hi John

 I understand you not being able to resist the fried chicken....I would have done the exact same thing...lol I am going to pray for Jesus to bring you some relief in the next couple weeks. I know everyone heals differently..I hope your healing kicks in NOW !!! It is good that you are going out and doing things you enjoy in spite of not feeling well...you are a real trooper!!! I, as you know can't have the surgery...I do know what I need to do for sure is lose about 25 pounds...and that should not be so difficult....I just need to get started. I will see you later...take care ..Anne

Posted 8/21/2008 1:28 AM (GMT 0)
Hi everyone, back from the cottage and exhausted...two small children; I'm not cut off for this sort of thing anymore! Anyway, they all go home tomorrow and I am sooo happy about that!!!..having company right now was not my idea!

I'm feeling I'm making progress, but food getting through the new valve is still hit and miss; today I really haven't been able to get anything down; sheesh!

What kind of return visit schedules does everyone have? I saw my surgeon a week after the surgery (for the endoscopy and dilation) and I'm not scheduled to see him again. I go back at the end of September for a bravo, barium swallow and manometry, but no return visit. Does that seem strange to anyone else???

Janice
Posted 8/21/2008 7:56 AM (GMT 0)
That does seem a bit strange LdyJane. I went back 2 weeks post op and then he wanted to see me 6 weeks after that (I think). It may be different in the UK though. I had days when I couldn't get anything down. I used to just rty and relax and have plenty of hot drinks (sipped very slowly of course otherwise they felt like they were sticking too!). Hope you are having a nice relaxing day after your travels! smilewinkgrin
Posted 8/21/2008 3:28 PM (GMT 0)
Elaine, I talked to them this morning and I do have a follow-up appt on the 26th of September. First I have manometry/24 hour ph on the 25th; removal of ph and barium swallow on the 26th and I see the nurse practitioner and the Dr. after that. For me that means I saw him 2 weeks post-op (for the endoscopy and dilation) and 6 weeks after that for this latest round. I guess I just had to ask what the different appointments meant!
Janice
Posted 8/22/2008 8:17 AM (GMT 0)

Janice, that's good. How are you doing? I have somehow managed to stop my palpitaions. I have been taking magnesium, iron and B12. I have also stopped taking the Beconase as that can cause them apparently. I am taking a herbal remedy instead and that seems to be working just as well for my congestion. Fingers crossed! It is Bank Holiday weekend here and I will have a house full so I hope that I continue to feel this well. turn

How is everyone else?

Posted 8/24/2008 11:36 PM (GMT 0)
Dear Friends, I anxious to hear how all are doing! I have some good news! I feel great! Seriously :) In the last 4 or 5 days I have finally started to feel like myself again. Eating issues aside, it's such a relief! (Just in time for me to go back to work :( I go back on Monday)

The only issue (beyond eating) is the pain I have in my stomach and intestinal track; it feels like it's inflamed, but not all of the time...don't know what, why or how, but it's there just the same. I tried some pepto-bismal and it helped a little...who knows???

I am eating better, albeit slowly. I had a small piece of cheese pizza tonight and was able to get it down...in an olympic record setting 35 minutes haha!!! French toast with cinnamon sugar, scrambled egg with chopped up bacon and ritz crackers have made me such a happy person! Surprisingly, noodles, potatoes and things like that cause me more trouble! but slowly eating a ritz cracker and no problems! I even had a piece of well done toast with peanut butter scraped over the top....loved it! I will still have a day where nothing will go down followed by a day and sometimes two days where I can eat....either way, I see progress!

Elaine, you're as crazy as I am! We just had a houseful and it was tough!!! good luck to you! I'm very happy to hear about the palpitations. Have you ever heard of Veramyst? it works so much better than beconase and I have had zero side effects!!!!!!

John???? where are you buddy? It's been a long time since I've heard from you, though I attribute that to moving. Let us know what is going on and how you are! I miss you!!

Caroline???How are you? You may not be back yet, let us know!!!

Gabby and Scott, let us know what is new with you too!
Posted 8/25/2008 12:12 AM (GMT 0)
I am fine...thanks for thinking of me ...this post must be for those who had the surgery and only those...

Posted 8/25/2008 8:03 AM (GMT 0)

Great news Janice and thanks for the tip off about Veramyst. Not sure we have it over here but I will try and get some. :-)

I spoke too soon about the palps though, I had a terrible evening yesterday. The spasms seem to set them off big time. Not sure what to do about the spasms. sad   My surgeon hasn't been much help there. I am hoping they will ease off soon. I am going to try peppermint oil.

Posted 8/25/2008 1:56 PM (GMT 0)

Hello All..........

I just wanted to let everyone know that I'm on my 6th week post op and doing great.  I have gone back to my regular diet and have had few problems eating.  The only problems are sometimes I still take to big of a bite and it takes a little longer to go down but it's not a big deal, and certain foods will make you run to the restroom a little quicker than in the past smhair   but that's also not that big of a deal.  You'll learn what to eat and what not to eat.  The main thing is I'm GERD free.  No more Nexium and no more pain. :-)    I think I lost a total of about 15lbs and I'm trying to keep it all off.  I feel better and my clothes fit much better.  Once I started eating normal I kind of went crazy with the McDonalds and Pizza and if I keep that up the weight may go back on.

Janice, I'm glad to hear you're doing better.  It won't be long and you'll be back to normal I PROMISE!!!  It's just taking you a little longer than others.  I know you enjoyed the pizza!

How is everyonr else? John, Carolyn, Gabby?  Keep us posted!

Scott

Posted 8/25/2008 6:56 PM (GMT 0)
Anne, no this thread isn't restricted; I'm sorry if I forgot to mention you, it wasn't intentional, I'm interested in how everyone is doing.

Janice
Posted 8/27/2008 10:43 PM (GMT 0)

Hi Everyone,

I'm back in Florida after having the Hill Repair.  Everything seems to have gone very well.  My pre-surgery endoscopy discovered Barretts Esophagus in a small segment around the sphincter.  My valve was considered a grade 2 when lying down but it became grossly incompetent when I sat up and stayed open for most of the time.  He put mesh over my 2 cm hernia and teflon pledgets to reinforce the sutures.   

I have not had much dysphagia and can swallow very well.  I have to eat slowly though.  Eat too fast and it gets uncomfortable or if I eat too cold anything. I'm on full liquid mushy stuff for two weeks then can experiment.  

After surgery I was convinced that I was still refluxing and called Dr. Aye the next morning and he assured me that I wasn't the first person to think that.  He said it was way too early to decide that and it was probably fine.  I seem to have alot of burning in my upper chest, at the GE junction and in my upper stomach.  This is part of the healing.  I was expecting more pain and not so much burning, so it has me a little worried.  I'm still taking my Nexium for a couple of weeks and then will taper off according to the dr instructions.

I've had a little shoulder pain but not bad at all.  I'm a little fatigued especially if I take the liquid pain med during the day.  It seems to be the only thing that stops the burning. Hope stops pretty soon. I think I overdid it today with my elipitical trainer.  I went for 30 minutes and became quite sore in the chest and trocar sites.  Gotta take it easier I guess.  When you don't have pain, it seems that you can do anything. 

Glad to hear you are doing well Scott.  LdyJane, you seem to be having some burning also.  It's a strange reaction I think.  I wonder how Gabby is doing?  Anne, I'm glad you still hanging in with us.  I will keep you posted again.   Come in John, where are you?   Hugs, Carolyn 

    


Posted 8/27/2008 11:11 PM (GMT 0)
Carolyn! I am so happy to hear from you. I'm glad you're doing okay and surprised at being able to use the elliptical! I've only now being allowed to work out...without working the abdominals. I've started training again, but I'm finding that 15 minutes into a walking routine and I can feel pain at the GE junction...very strange if I do so say so!!

I'm glad that you were able to contain the Barretts at this stage of the game, and I'm glad you were spared the pain I had; it turned out I had a hematoma in one of the incisions sites.

I haven't had much burning, not like heartburn, I'm having problems with pain in my stomach and intestinal track along with real problems with constipation, but I'm still not able to drink as much as I would like and fresh fruit and vegetables are out for another month....and I hate applesauce!! I stopped my protonix and tagamet the day before the surgery and haven't had it since. I've had two, maybe three episodes of heartburn, but that's it. My biggest problem continues to be whether food will go through the new valve or not.

I am, however, feeling so much better than I have in quite awhile, so I happy with that. Like you, I'm concerned that we haven't heard from John in while, but I think he may be in the process of moving too.

Janice
Posted 8/31/2008 11:32 PM (GMT 0)
Hi!!!

Has anyone heard from John???
Posted 9/4/2008 3:18 AM (GMT 0)

 hi there...

 I have not seen any correspondence from John but I just moved my daughter to her new apartment at college  , her third !! , and it is in the same town, but it still took us a week to move and get it all cleaned up and organized and decorated !!! I am EXHAUSTED !!! I am sure he is just busy and I will pray that is what is going on...How are you ? How did you choose the name you have on hw ??

  Take care

Posted 10/30/2011 8:43 PM (GMT 0)
Scotty,

I am having the NF on Nov. 29th. Dr. Rosemurgy is doing it. What can you tell me about the bloating? Also, did you have to have an NG tube and catheter?
Posted 10/30/2011 9:42 PM (GMT 0)
floridagirl-
Scotty hasn't posted since 2008. Don't believe he is on the forum anymore

Bill
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