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Nissan Fundoplication surgery

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Posted 8/24/2008 10:55 PM (GMT 0)
Hi MPR. I had my surgery on 7-16; I want to direct you to two other threads...one is John from Seattle and the other is Part 5 of Lap Nissen, both will keep you up to date with others; this is an older post.

To answer your questions though, My vocal cords are scarred from the reflux and my esophagus was in pretty bad shape. Since my surgery, I no longer constantly clear my throat, I haven't lost my voice once, I no longer have sore throats and my singing voice is much stronger.

I had complications after my surgery, my esophagus swelled shut; quite unusual, but it does happen (if it's weird, it will happen to me!). I had a follow-up endoscopy and had my esophagus stretched. Other than the sore throat the day after, I have no problems with my esophagus.

The follow-up at 10 weeks for me will show the extent of healing in both areas, but I can tell you right now, that I'm in much better shape than I was prior to surgery....I don't think I need a test to tell me what I already know, I am healing!
Good luck and check those other posts; people there are either just post surgery or just having it. You'll be able to keep in touch with them to help you through the process.
Janice
Posted 8/25/2008 12:00 AM (GMT 0)
HELLO everyone...

I had my lap nissen/hiatal hernia repair back in Jan this year....like mentioned before please check out the Lap nissen threads...they are VERY HELPFUL!!!!

I am now FREE OF GERD! NO PROBLEMS AT ALL!!!  AND, I am pregnant, 6 months to be exact...and STILL NO PROBLEMS!!!  I DON'T REGRET having the surgery at all.  Yes the recovery can be a pain..BUT IT WAS WORTH IT!!!!!  I would do it again with NO QUESTIONS ASKED! 

If anyone has specific questions, please feel free to email me at allisonveals @ yahoo dot com.

 

Posted 8/25/2008 9:56 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Alli!!! Congratulations on your baby!!! when are you due? I'm so glad to hear that you continue to be well.

Janice
Posted 8/26/2008 12:05 AM (GMT 0)
Janice,

Thank you!!! I am due Dec 10...but will have a scheduled c-section a wk before.

The hardest part with this pregnancy has NOT been able to vomit. Becuase of this, my nausea has been TERRIBLE! I have lived on zofran and phenergan....BUT if I hadn't had my surgery I would be vomiting ALL the time and my esophageal ulcers would have SOOOO bad! So, I guess practically permanent nausea is what I will deal with....oh well!

Come December we will have another precious little girl!!! It's been WORTH EVERYTHING!
Posted 8/26/2008 8:03 AM (GMT 0)
Hi Alli! Good to hear from you! Glad the pregnancy is going well! smilewinkgrin
Posted 9/2/2008 3:39 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks for the feedback.  My surgery is now 2 weeks old and I am slowly regaining my strength and experimenting with more soft foods.  I am also free of the constant throat clearing, haven't tried singing yet, but it's on my list of activities for tomorrow.  I am hoping for a full - and speedy - recovery! mpr yeah
Posted 9/2/2008 7:35 PM (GMT 0)
Hi mpr! I hope everyday brings you less frustration and better feelings. My throat clearing is also a thing of the past (hooray!!) and singing is once again a joyful noise! So good luck tomorrow!!
Janice
Posted 9/8/2008 6:34 PM (GMT 0)
I have had the ph Bravo test, which is very painful and I hope I never have to go thru that again, I have had an upper GI or endoscopy test done twice already the last 1 being in Nov. of last year, now on Aug. the 14th I had lap nissen surgery. I am now a little over 3 wks post op. I have had no heartburn but a wk. ago Sat. started having some liquid come up my throat but it stops at the base of my throat, doesn't come up all the way. It doesn't burn but is very uncomfortable, does anyone know what I'm talking about? My Dr. thinks it's a spasm so put me on Librax, but the side effects of the drug were worse than the original problem. I'm not thru with my surgeon yet tho, but I was just wondering if anybody else knew what that was like, I also had a hiatal hernia.

Posted 9/8/2008 10:23 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Southern Star,

The the thread is deleted as the first post was a red herring and all the rules  had been violated by the person posting.

The members did not say the procedure was dangerous, the first poster did.

Many have posted they have had the ph Bravo test and no body except this member who is no longer posting said it was dangerous. 

Sorry for the mix up.

Take care

Kitt

 

Posted 9/9/2008 8:22 AM (GMT 0)

Hi SS! I had spasms in my oesophagus and then my chest. It is very uncomfortable and can stop you from getting any food down. There wasn't much I could do except persevere very slowly and try and relax. It took me 4 months to get onto anything resembling solid food and almost 5 months to stop having the spasms. But they did stop!

If I was having a spasm I would leave trying to eat until later on and maybe have a warm drink when the worst was over. I could feel mine as they hurt. Can you feel anything?

Posted 9/9/2008 4:28 PM (GMT 0)
Hi and thanks. Yes I have some of what feels like heartburn which my dr. says is a spasm but what I am most concerned about is the liquid that's coming up, it doesn't come all the way up it feels like it stops about at the base of my throat. I really don't think it is a spasm as the antispasmodic he prescribed didn't help at all. He said the surgery went really, really well. It only took 48 min. he said he wasn't tryin to break any records but it was a text book surgery. By the way I'm 26. So I do have age as a factor and am otherwise healthy. But I am not happy with this junk comin up. When it's doing it the worst it is hard to eat. But really from reading some of the other threads I'm pretty lucky I guess, starting the second wk. I started eating meat, and the end of the third wk I started eating red meat. I pretty much followed the paper they gave me when they discharged me. And I haven't had any trouble keeping anything down. Everything was great the first 2 wks. then this started up just a wk ago Sat.

Posted 9/13/2008 6:14 AM (GMT 0)
I had the nissan surgery in 2001 and had many problems.  I stayed in the hospital for a month because no food would pass through to my stomach.   When I swallowed, the food would go about half way down, make a u-turn and come back up.  I lost nearly 50 lbs.  It took 3 months before I was able to eat soft foods. I started with liquids, baby food, mashed potatoes, etc.  I never got a full explanation of why I could not eat.  Now, 7 years later, I have a hernia again.  I am afraid to have the surgery again.  I cough constantly and cannot burp.  What a mess.  I am happy to hear that so many of you have had success.  Did anyone experience my problem?  Did anyone develop a cough?  

Posted 10/11/2008 7:04 PM (GMT 0)
Hello,

I have had heartburn and indigestion for over a year. Then in January my voice went all low and gravelly. I am a singing teacher, and this makes my work impossible but I have to work in order to keep my house. My throat feels like it is full of phlegm all the time and I have to try not to clear it. I take Gavsicon but avoid PPIs as they give me headaches and other horrid side effects. I don't have too much trouble with acid- not like some- I may get it a few times a day, and take Gaviscon.

I had an endoscopy which showed a small hiatus hernia. The ENT refused to believe that my throat problems were due to the hiatus hernia, since I had no scarring or redness in the esophagus. Yet. He sent me to a speech therapist which was a waste of time.

So, I am wondering if I should try and get the Nissan operation. It scares me, and I have to lose 4 stone before they will even operate. I can handle the acid reflux, but I cannot cope with what it has done to my voice.

I'd be very grateful for your advice!xx
Posted 10/12/2008 6:33 AM (GMT 0)

Read your post Scarlettw.  A lot of people have had the nissan operation, as have I.  I think my case was a little extreme as I didn't eat for about four months.  My surgery was in 2001.  Even today, I have a daily cough.  There doesn't seem to be an answer to all the questions we have about GERD and hiatal hernia.

My doctor says (after an endoscopy two months ago) that I still have a hernia.   He explained that the surgery could not close the hernia completely shut as no food could pass through to my stomach.  So you will continue to experience some GERD.  I have had some benefit from the surgery but not enough to completely get rid of the GERD and cough.

Tally01

Posted 10/12/2008 1:35 PM (GMT 0)

tally,

Nice to see you and good info in your post.  (((((((HUGS)))))))))

Kitt

Posted 10/12/2008 7:30 PM (GMT 0)
Hi mpr; my reflux caused a lot a trouble with my vocal chords including vocal chord dysfunction, chronic hoarseness and throat clearing; I had various classifications of esophagitis as well. The good news is that since the surgery, my vocal chords, though scarred, have healed very nicely. I no longer lose my voice, I can sing again and I'm not coughing or clearing my throat. My post op testing showed no esophagitis at all. Combined with the other problems that this was causing, this surgery was worth it.
Posted 4/14/2009 5:04 AM (GMT 0)

new to this site,

 

i had nissan fundo nov. 23, 2005. went in for laporscopic, wound up having open fundo. it was the worst surgery i have ever had. i was bleeding severly, was given blood, was on vent. for 8 days, woke up with tubes down my throat and in the worst pain i have ever been in. after being released from the hospital i was on a liquid diet for 2 weeks, then soft foods for 2 weeks, so on and so forth until i could eat properly again. best thing about it was that i lost 60 pounds when it was all done. i have constantly had severe gas, bloating, burping and belching. since the surgery i can not eat vegetables of any kind without getting severe diarreha. i had a hernia, it was repaird but i still have severe pain in the area just below my breast. now i am beginning to have reflux again when i eat spicy foods, example: speghetti. i do not drink sodas, i have not drank a soda since the surgery 4 years ago. i can voimt when i get sick, that is a good thing as i hear a lot of people can't. my question is, has anyone else had these types problems and does anyone have any suggestion as to what the problem may be and what i should do. i can not hardly stand the thought of having another surgery. any answers would be appreciated. i am a dj on the radio and belching and burping is not easy on the air.

 

thanks,

 

djchick

Posted 4/23/2009 5:59 AM (GMT 0)
DJ, I am sorry to hear of your ordeal.  Yours is so similar to my hernia repair surgery.  I could not eat for 3-4 months.  I cannot belch nor vomit.  I also have pain in my chest area near the repair area and I also lost weight (45 lbs.).  My surgery was in 2001 and I am now just begining to feel comfortable eating.  However, my gastro told me that I had another hernia.  I am totally lost as I feel as you do, I will not have that surgery again.  I can't offer any advice, I am sorry.  My doctor told me to give it time and things will begin to get better.  Well, it took nearly 8 years.  I notice the increase bloating and gas since the surgery.  Like you, I wish I had opted not to have the surgery.  Good luck to you.  Hope some of the readers can suggest something. 

Posted 6/9/2009 3:01 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Everyone

I am a New member and I have been diagnosed with Barrett's and now I am waiting to be referred to a General surgeon for the Nissan Fundoplication. I also have a Hiatus Hernia although I am told it is a small one.

I really want to have this done as my Father passed way with Cancer of the stomach and I don't want to go the same way. I live in the UK and will probably have to wait up to another 2 years before I get seen never mind treated. It has been an education reading everyone's experiences of this and I wish you all luck, long life and good health for the future, I will be reading this more often with great interest.

Thank goodness for sites like these!
Posted 6/10/2009 11:51 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Beaky

welcum aborad.I am a member here. If you go look at my posts in "Post op fundoplication you will read all that ive been thru. I just want you to be aware, YOU MUST GET AN EXPERIENCED SURGEOn" One taht has a history oflaproscopic nissans surgeries this is the key so your wrap is done correctly and you can have longevity

Take care any questions feel free to email me

Bea

Posted 6/22/2009 9:08 PM (GMT 0)
I had open fundiplication (laproscope not option) plus incisional hernia repair 7 weeks ago. am 73 years old, and this has been the worst I've ever been through. I had "dry heaves" for 6 weeks after surgery. Unlike a lot of people I can belch and can vomit, so I'm lucky there.
One of the worst things right now is that my incision and the skin around it burn like I've been scalded. In fact, it's really hard to keep clothes on!! Again, surgeon says to be patient because with open surgery so many nerves, etc., are cut plus my stomach was up in my chest and is now where it belongs. Also, I had adhesions on my esophagus from colon surgery 2 years ago. I am really hoping that I will be able to eat "normally" in six months time. Right now I'm able to eat soft foods plus very moist tender meat (such as chicken or hamburger in spaghetti. My surgeon thinks I'm doing great; HOWEVER I still get pains in stomach and area below my breast. Dr. said to take it slow and easy on including new foods and at least another 6-8 weeks before tackling steak or pork chops. And, most important, take small bites and chew everything really well. Hope this helps with some concerns.
Katie
Posted 6/23/2009 10:07 AM (GMT 0)
Katie -
Definitely take small bites and chew, chew, chew. I am 6 weeks post revision and I am still scared to try steak or chicken yet. I almost did Sunday, but thought better of it. Mine have been laproscopic, so I can't be of help with the incision problem. Sorry about that. I hope things get better quickly.

Take care,
Bill
Posted 2/22/2010 2:44 AM (GMT 0)
Hi,

I am scheduled for my surgery in two weeks. I have had so many tests the last year it feels good to finally get this part done. I have had three endoscopys, two gastric emptying studies, the esophagram & barium burger with video (hated that one), the one with the tube down the nose where they moved it up and down (loved that one too), ultrasounds..

They found out I have a hernia, gastroparesis, barrettes esophagus and pancreatitis. Thank goodness I went to the doctor when I did. I am worried about the recovery, but reading all of this helps so much. I feel better. My doctor is a little concerned with how the gastroparesis will make my stomach feel after the surgery and said I may have to have a different surgery later this year if problems develop. I really hope not.

I live by myself and am interested in things I should have at home to eat the first two weeks. I imagine you get real tired of the limited food choices.

Terri :-)
Posted 2/22/2010 2:25 PM (GMT 0)
Welcome Terri,
The first few weeks you're not going to really want regular foods. This was my meals everyday for two and a half weeks. I never had more than a half cup of food a meal. I ate about every two hours or when I felt empty.
Sugar free: jello, popcicles, tea, water, milk
Chicken or beef broth for protein
apple sauce can be added after 10 days
very thin grits can be added around day 14
You can start your own thread to discuss your worries and questions as you prepare for the surgery.
I had mine two months ago and I'm feeling so much better.


Joy
Posted 2/23/2010 4:20 AM (GMT 0)
couchtater - was your laparoscopic?
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