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failed nissen?

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Posted 7/20/2009 3:17 PM (GMT 0)
Hello, I posted in a different thread explaining that I still can't eat normal foods - I was hoping for more people to reply about their symptoms / experiences with a failed nissen but it seems as though only one person posted. I just got done reviewing the "failed nissen" thread (the one that is 3 threads long and counting) and by the number of people that responded, I know there has to be more out there on this forum! I'm extremely concerned about the possibility that my nissen hasn't healed correctly or has failed all together, but I could really use your guy's judgment on this one. I have an upper GI scheduled for tomorrow - hopefully I will find out more about what's going on few days after, but in the meantime, can any of you confirm your pre-nissen revision symptoms?

A of the 7/8 week mark, I have had the following symptoms:

shortness of breath, pain in the left shoulder and under the left rib, after laying down for a period of time I get air trapped in what feels like my esophagus and I get a shooting pain in my upper chest that sometimes travels throughout my back, I can't seem to eat ANYTHING without it hurting in general - but yogurt has been the most comfortable food to eat up until this point (I've lost a considerable amount of weight for my body sixe because I haven't been able to eat much of anything), I've been having trouble burping on my own - after I do try to eat something, to no avail I get air trapped which sometimes makes me vomit...

Does this seem consistent with the number of people who have needed their nissen surgery revised? To be completely honest, I'm feeling about 80% worse than before I had my surgery.

Again, thank-you to everyone. I'm sorry about posting twice, I just really need some answers!!!
Posted 7/20/2009 10:29 PM (GMT 0)
bump

Posted 7/20/2009 11:39 PM (GMT 0)
I'm sorry your having trouble with your Nissen. It sounds like you have major gas problems with a tight wrap. That one of my worries about having this surgery. I'm trying to find an alternative. Have you talked with you GERD doctor?

Joy
Posted 7/21/2009 4:10 AM (GMT 0)
Wasteofpaint-
I am thinking you have a overly tight wrap from your symptoms. Sometimes they can dilate it a time or two and all is well, sometimes not. I had similar problems for almost 3 years that had improved at times and then just got too bad to deal with. I hope they find something on the upper GI. It took almost 1 1/2 years of me constantly pestering the GI docs and asking a different surgeon before I found someone who could figure it out.

Take care,
Bill
Posted 7/22/2009 3:02 AM (GMT 0)
I had an upper GI barium swallow test today but I haven't gotten the results back yet. During the test, the radiologist said he couldn't see any reflux but that it didn't mean that it wasn't there. He didn't say much more than that though. I tried eating a sandwich today after the test - I was super hungry and hadn't had anything to eat since dinner the day prior...it was horrible. After a bite I ended up giving it to someone cause the pain was so bad. I picked up 8 or 9 different flavors of yogurt shortly after. I've been living off of vanilla and strawberry for over a month and I was starting to absolutely hate yogurt.

Just an observation: I've noticed that my throat is very sore, I've been getting nauseated and I've been having really intense migraines. Today the chest pain that I had before the surgery seemed to come back full awing.

They did osme ballooning on me before I had my surgery and it didn't stay, so I was thinking that the likelihood of it staying this time would be slim. I'll be really glad once they find out what's going on. Once I get my results back I'll be sure to reply back here. Thanks guys!
Posted 7/22/2009 5:33 AM (GMT 0)
Hi, Wasteofpaint,
I'll be following your situation and I wish you all the best, but I don't have much to offer here as far as information. My journey in this arena is just beginning.

Hugs,

PaLady
Posted 7/22/2009 6:04 AM (GMT 0)
Wasteofpaint,
Keep us updated on what they find out.

Take care,
Bill
Posted 7/22/2009 12:24 PM (GMT 0)
wasteofpaint,

 I hope you get to the bottom of this.Good luck with your ailments.

bea

Posted 7/22/2009 2:56 PM (GMT 0)
PAlady, have you had your surgery yet?

Joy
Posted 7/24/2009 6:11 PM (GMT 0)
I called my surgeon today (he is also my doctor for the time being) thinking he would have an answer for me. He said that the results were in, but that it wouldn't be appropriate to tell me what he's concluded over the telephone. I'm a bit worried seeing as when my previous GI tests came back clear, he had no problem letting me know then and there. I still had to pay him a visit at his office, as I have to with this test - I have an appt on Monday - but he would still let me know. I'm hoping that whatever it is, isn't too bad. Maybe there is nothing wrong and he just wants me there in person so that he can explain his findings in detail. Maybe I'm looking too much into it. I'll update you all as soon as I find out something. And again, thanks for all of the support. Everyone here is wonderful!
Posted 7/24/2009 6:23 PM (GMT 0)
Please let us know how your appt. goes.
Posted 7/27/2009 6:04 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Wasteofpaint,

I rarely log into this site anymore but just thought I would take a peak today and your post caught my eye. I had Gerd surgery one year ago on Aug 20. I had a Hill repair which is different but does the same thing as a Nissen.

What you are describing at 8 weeks does not sound like a failed surgery. I had all the symptoms you mentioned for several months. I was so scared that the surgery had not worked that I kept bugging my surgeon telling him that it hadn't worked. He said I wasn't the first person to say that. I had a lot throat pain, chest pain, shoulder pain, and really bad gas every afternoon. It would build up around 2 pm. Keep lots of GasX on hand. I ate lots of yogurt and soft food for the first 3 months. I would never have been able to eat a sandwich at 8 weeks. Food got stuck in my throat for several months if I didn't chew it very well and the pain would be terrible. The fact that you can't burp is good. It means the surgery is tight. It will loosen up over time and you will make little baby burps. I have had two or three but they are very tiny.

I don't think a day went by for six months that I was confident that the surgery had worked. Finally at 6 months, I had an endoscopy and Bravo and I was fine. No reflux but I still had some burning type pain in the chest. My surgeon concluded that it was nerve pain from all the manipulation and tissue injury. It happens to some people. Even now if I have too much caffeine, the nerves start acting up again. I don't know if it will ever completely go away. Remember that this surgery takes at least one year to completely heal and feel normal again. If it happens sooner then great but not too worry if it doesn't.
Posted 7/27/2009 8:40 PM (GMT 0)
Sillylilly, your post makes me feel 100X better. Thank-you so much! I just got back from my appointment and my surgeon said the same thing as you are. He told me to chew my food more than what I'm use to, which I have been since I got home from the hospital, and to continue eating soft foods. I can't try to eat normally because I'll damage the area even further. According to the x-rays, the space between my intestines and stomach is only 6mm wide - about the width of a straw - and the area is still very swollen. Hopefully in a few weeks the swelling will decrease. He wants me to check back in a month. If I'm having the same problems, he might so some ballooning, but for now I just have to wait it out. So, its definitely not bad news!
Posted 7/29/2009 10:53 PM (GMT 0)
Glad to hear that you are doing fine really. Just hang in there and try to tell yourself that this will all get better. It sure beats heartburn.
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