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failed nissen, now what?

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GERD & Acid Reflux
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Posted 7/10/2009 9:36 AM (GMT 0)
So I'm a year and a half post nissen. My reflux seems worse now than before surgery. Sore throat almost all the time. I'm wondering if I have to have a nissen as my 2nd try or are any of the other surgerys still options? Its 2:30am, I'm awake, and frustrated.

As some background, my surgery seemed to be working fine till my 1st post-op endo when my surgeon stretched me. We had been talking just before I was sedated and I mentioned I'd not burped since I had surgery.... he heard it as a complaint (it wasnt) and loosened the wrap. :(

Posted 7/10/2009 10:08 AM (GMT 0)
I should add that I'm currently taking 300mg zantac 4x daily, plus 60mg kapidex 3x a week. (I dont tolerate PPIs very well)
Posted 7/10/2009 4:35 PM (GMT 0)
oldpoopie-
Sorry to hear about this. I don't have any info. about other procedures, but have had a redo Nissen recently. Mine wasn't done correctly the first time though. I had asked about anyone having an EGD done post op and so far you are the first I have heard having one without complaints first. How soon was this done?

Take care,
Bill
Posted 7/11/2009 7:01 AM (GMT 0)
I was about 3 months out from surgery. I had been having some strange symptoms and my doc wanted to take a look.......
Posted 7/11/2009 1:28 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Oldpoopie,
What were the symptoms that sent your doctor to the endoscopy? Have you had the increased reflux symptoms since the endoscopy? I understand that you're hesitant about a redo, but from my research it sounds like the Nissen is the best option at this point in medical history.

Redos must be done with EXPERIENCED surgeons. Bill has a tremendous amount of experience on the redo topic. I'm sure if you're interested in pursuing that option (and it sounds like you're suffering enough to want to do something) I'm sure he would be glad to discuss it with you in depth. Just ask the questions and he'll answer!

Take care. I'm sorry you're having so many problems.
Best wishes for a resolution to them! You're in a good place for support and encouragement! Keep posting!
Denise
Posted 7/11/2009 2:08 PM (GMT 0)
oldpoopie

I am so sorry to hear you are having problems but you have come to the right place to recieve wise advice.  I see several of our terrific members have already responded to you.

I hope you keep talking to us as we are here to support you through the good times and the not so good times.

Wishing you the best,
Kitt


Posted 11/10/2009 6:24 AM (GMT 0)
Well, finally got in to see another surgeon. Did an endoscopy and he said that it appears I've torn out a few stitches, and overall the wrap is very loose. I'm going in next week for another manometry and 24hr ph study.... ugh... thats gonna suck. But at least answers are coming. I'm expecting though that he'll want to go in and try again....
Posted 11/10/2009 12:47 PM (GMT 0)
Good luck!
Joy
Posted 11/10/2009 10:47 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Oldpoopie,
I know it's a hard thing to face, but if you can get things straightened around, it'll be well worth the struggle. Please be sure to do your research and find a skilled and experienced surgeon who has redone many Nissens. Get more than one opinion if you need to. Now, you may already have a great surgeon, and your problem is a fluke. Jut give it some thought.

Bill is correct. At this point, the Nissen is the "gold standard" for repairing the LES. As other procedures around longer, it's likely that technology will move things forward. Our own Joy will be helping this process by having the EsophyX soon. We all need to send her healing thoughts, so she can get healthy in time for her pre-op testing! yeah yeah yeah

Good luck, Oldpoopie. We're here to support you through your testing and search for answers!
Take care,
Denise
Posted 11/11/2009 12:03 AM (GMT 0)
Wow, its horrible to hear that your Doc. stretched it like that and screwed it up.

Mine is very tight(3 months out) and it still hurts but I rather give my body time to see if it "settles in" before I even think about stretching it. I dont have swallowing issues now that more of the swelling has gone down but I still have pain between my 2 center incisions, inside. It feels very tender inside. Its not the muscle though. i still cant sleep on my stomach because of teh soreness.

I wish you good luck and hope you get this issue worked out soon so your not in pain too much longer.
Rafael
Posted 4/10/2010 3:38 AM (GMT 0)
well I'm scheduled for my re-do surgery for next Friday. It will be done roboticaly this time. The doc is confident of the results and says the only difficulty in the surger will be with prior scar tissue.
Posted 4/10/2010 3:46 AM (GMT 0)
Good luck! My redo did take about twice as long to perform than the original. So far so good for me and it's been just shy of 11 months.

Take care,
Bill
Posted 4/10/2010 4:04 AM (GMT 0)
Bill, what was your recovery like compared to your first nissen?
Posted 4/30/2010 7:01 AM (GMT 0)
Well, tomorrow is 2 weeks after my re-do surgery. The surgery itself was about 3.5 hrs. Doc said it went well and there wasnt as much scar tissue as he feared. I had some bad reactions to the anesthesia, and had wicked migranes for 2 days.... so much so that I couldnt really feel the pain in my belly. Anyway, I've progressed so that I had my first soft food today, Mac&cheese. Yum.

This 2nd go-round seems to have been better all around. I dont know if its come down to surgical technique, the use of the robot to do the surgery, how much rest I've gotten, or what.... but the recovery and results this time have been better than the 1st go around.

The only thing I've noticed is that my throat feels funny. Not sore from reflux, but just strange. Almost like the way your hand feels as the blood rushes back after being numb, or the way your ears ring after a loud noise.... Hopefully its just because its healing.
Posted 4/30/2010 1:40 PM (GMT 0)
Glad to hear that your recovery is going better this time.  I wouldn't doubt at all it was as result of better surgical procedure.  When I discussed strange sensations or pains with my surgeon during my early recovery, he said he's heard a wide range of symptoms.  Even with that, he's always surprised when he gets a new one.  He was very confident that these  types of symptoms were a result of the healing process and not to worry.  It takes some time for your rearranged GI tract to adjust.

Yay for soft foods!

Take care,

Denise

Posted 4/30/2010 8:09 PM (GMT 0)
I heard my cell phone ringing, when it wasn't ringing for weeks after my surgery.
All sort of weird things can happen.

Joy
Posted 5/3/2010 5:24 AM (GMT 0)
oldpoopie-
Sorry I didn't get back to your question about the recovery. Somehow I missed it. I am so glad the surgery went well. I too think the the robot has a lot to do with the easier recovery. They say the pain is a lot less with it.
My throat felt kinda strange for a few weeks after my redo. That may have been because my first was done wrong and I had gotten used to the way it was. Please remember to take things slowly and only advance your eating when you feel you are ready to.

Take care,
Bill
Posted 5/3/2010 4:33 PM (GMT 0)
yes, I think I ate some foods that are harder to digest too quickly and had a bout of gastritis..... Its better today though. I go back to work tomorrow. I'm so excited! I've gotten so bored here at home!
Posted 5/3/2010 7:40 PM (GMT 0)
Glad you're feeling better.  Work will be good for you!  Just don't overdo it physically.  Give yourself permission to take it easy.  NO lifting!

Denise

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