Hello To All Getting Ready For Esophyx Soon

Hello Everyone,
I just found this forum yesterday. I have had acid reflux for over 10 years and it has become unbearable in the last year. I was vomiting daily, sometimes 2-3 times a day. On top of taking 40 mg of Prevacid twice a day, I was taking three to four 150 mg tablets of Zantac along with Alka Seltzer.

I was hoping to have the TIF Esophyx procedure soon and went to see my surgeon yesterday. He told me he was no longer doing this procedure because he had had too many patients (he's done over 150 of them) who have called him saying that their symptoms were worse after the procedure. My Doctor said that contrary to Endogastric solutions website, it is NOT reversible. This did not surprise me because I had read negative things about it online. There are two Doctors in CA, Wong & Tsai who have also stopped doing it.

For the past 2 months I have changed my diet and it is working, praise God! Before every meal I have a glass of water with 2 tablespoons of Braggs Apple Cider, this has the "Mother" in it. I sweeten this with Susta, an artificial sweetener that doesn't create acid in your stomach. For meals, I eat the same thing everyday. Every morning I have 1/3 C of cooked millet (an alkaline grain) with 1/2 a banana and a handful of strawberries or a handful of fresh pineapple chunks. For lunch I have a salad which consist of Romain lettuce, Cucumbers, 1 stalk of Celery, 1 Carrot, some red pepper & red cabbage and a few small cubes of cheddar cheese. I then squeeze the juice from 1/2 a fresh lemon over it - no salad dressing because of the fat. For dinner I have a chicken breast with a vegetable. I have lost 45 pounds which I'm sure has also helped with the reflux.

Anticipating the TIF procedure, I had to have 3 tests done: a Barium Swallow, an upper GI & a Gastic Emptying test. My Surgeon told me that my Gastric Emptying was abnormal, a condition called Gastric Paresis. He said that I needed to see my primary care doctor to discuss what my options are. The surgeon talked about some of the medications that are prescribed for this but they have bad side effects, like death. I feel like I've traded one horrible condition for another. Oh, well, I wish you all the best.

Dear Tracks,

Just rereading your posts. I suffer from the chronic clear throat mucus. Had many many tests- only diagnosis so far is LPR. PPI's don't help. Live in the NYC area. Was wondering if you could recommend a doctor who would perform the esphofex (wrong spelling I know) procedure.

Thank you

Rosemarie

Dear Couchtater,

What is the toupet procedure?

Rosemarie

P.S. Thank you for the prompt reply

Hi Joy,

i have gerds, and a nissen may not be the best bet for me as i scuba dive and i need to be able to burp in case i swallow air during a dive. long story, but i need to burp. the hill procedure sounds like a winner for me, so my question is can you burp?

thanks

mel

Hello again to all


Those who've read this thread will remember that I had my Esophyx done on (10/19/09). I have been off PPI's since about 2 weeks post-op, so roughly 2 years or so. Everything has been fine up till the last few weeks. I'm starting to have some tenderness at the top of my stomach, a bit of frequent heartburn, some wheezing, and occasional coughing, very similar to my earlier GERD symptoms but not daily as before, and not nearly as severe. No trouble swallowing but do have a slight feeling sometimes like food trying to come back up. Thinking I'm having an issue with my Esophyx so getting ready to see a doctor about a checkup.

I have an appointment set for June 6 th so I'll check back in and let everyone know what I find out.

Take Care

Hello to all. OP here

Bumping this old thread with an update.

I just wanted to check in with a long term update. I've been having symptoms of GERD again. Namely slight heartburn and sometimes reflux up through my esophagus at night. My primary scheduled me for an upper endoscopy as part of my routine checkups. During that exam it was discovered that my TIF has loosened up and no longer provides the same amount of protection nor relief of my issues.. I'm on Protonix right now and again watching my food choices.

I don't know if 12 years is the average that a TIF will work but one thing I do know is that mine has/is failing. I'm now searching for a Dr. in my new area who does the procedure and can evaluate me for a revision if that's possible.

I'll update as I find out.

Good Luck, Lowdown.

Sharon