2 weeks till surgery for reflux..

I wasn't really worried until a couple of days ago. It took so long to get appointments for tests and the surgeon that when they offered me the surgery I just jumped at it. The surgeon was very nice and answered all my questions (although now I wish I asked a lot more). I've had pretty constant acid problems for around 12 years now and am currently hovering between 40 - 80mg Nexium a day. It's fairly well controlled with the meds but even the surgeon says it's quite a high dose to be taking for life.

Anyway, I did he stupid thing of looking into recovery times for the operation and fell into the pit of bad experiences and got myself worked up. Then I stumbled upon this place and from what I've read it's all mostly positive. The truth is I'm currently terrified about replacing my current symptoms with a whole load of others but I'm assured I'm in good hands.

My surgeon is Mr. Alan Li at Manchester Royal Infirmary (UK). From what I've heard he's an expert in this field so I have my fingers crossed for a decent outcome.
Yesterday I was ready to phone the hospital and cancel, today I'm thinking of biting the bullet and just getting it over with. I'm hoping to squeeze in another appointment with the surgeon in the next couple of weeks if I can for some reassurance but what I really want to find out is if there is anyone here who feels fully better, like before in terms of eating/ drinking. The thought of avoiding carbonated drinks for life scares me. Anyone here had this more than a year ago?

Any advice or support would be very welcome to put my mind at ease (and my wife's too).

Thanks.

Thanks Denise. It's so difficult trying to find the positives. I'm guessing that most people who were happy with the op just got on with it and didn't feel the need to share. It's like when you go looking at shopping reviews. Those who had poor customer service or were sent a damaged product are the people shouting loudest whilst the happy customers just get on with it and enjoy their product.

I'm trying to get another appointment with the surgeon before hand just to put my mind at rest. The NHS told me very little about what to expect after the op in terms of diet and recovery so it's been great looking on here and having an idea of how the next few months will pan out. I'm a writer in my spare time so I'm sure this experience will give me lots to keep me busy on that front.

Hi gritty,
I agree with a previous comment that many people who have successful surgery no longer feel the need to scour forums and share experiences they just revel in the fact they are better and get on with life whereas you will always hear about the horror stories or problems as these people are still seeking reassurances or answers.
I had surgery in 2008 and had a 360 degree wrap and I can honestly say I do not regret it at all. I was told I wouldn't be able to drink fizzy drink ever again or burp and that I would pass more tail end wind and suffer gloating but compared to my symptoms before this was nothing to my mind.
In reality it was like that to start with but was con rolled easily by eating small meals and little and often. Now I can burp occasionally if need be and therefore I can enjoy a small glass of fizzy although I stir it to get the worst of the fizz out.
Your surgeon actually trained with my surgeon I am In Kent .
Don't let the horror stories put you off. Have faith in your surgeon ask lots of questions and get it sorted to enjoy a better life without the need for so many pills.
I wish you the best of luck and speedy healing.

Hi Gritty,
Your eating issues will be in the first weeks and months. Once you're healed, you'll be able to eat normally.

If you're anything like most GERD sufferers, you have had years of dealing with stomach issues, so the ones you get that are caused by the surgery will be taken in stride.

If you have he surgery this month, if your experience is anything like mine, you'll be eating pretty normally by the end of July. I went on vacation at 4 months, and went out to restaurants, eating everything.

I still have some of the reactive stomach issues I always had...the wrap is created out of my stomach, so it can get irritated by rough foods (celery, carrots, big salads) or very acidic things like pineapple juice (one of my favorite drinks used to be coconut rum and pineapple juice...now it drink just a bit...not so much from the wrap as from my annoying stomach.

I enjoy eating still, just as I always did. I've never been a big soda drinker, but I have had some since the surgery, and it didn't bother me. I enjoy beer, and have not trouble at all drinking it.

You'll have some GI quirks caused by the surgery, but if you're anything like me, it'll be well worth getting rid of your other issues.

As for eating, I go for it...even if I know I may pay a bit later, if I want something, and I'll enjoy it, I eat it. Some are more cautious, but that's my attitude.

The main thing is that you'll want to chew your food very carefully even after healing. Slow down and enjoy that food!

I posted on another thread--jhayes/fundo in 2 days
On it I copy and pasted the "journal" I posted when I was recovering from the surgery. If you haven't looked at you might want to. It gives an idea of what the earliest days of recovery might be like for you.

The main thing is to have a surgeon who is very experienced and skilled in doing Nissen surgeries. It's definitely an art form, and takes time to develop the skill necessary. Todd has experience with a surgeon who trained with yours, and had a good outcome...just be sure that he has done many, many of these. Mine had done over 300. I've moved since then, and the guy here who everyone refers to has done over 1000. The more the merrier!

You're in the right place...people here are realistic but positive on the whole. We will do our best to answer any questions you have both pre and post surgery.

Best wishes!
Denise

Just had a good chat with the surgeon's secretary and that put my mind at rest. Apparently he does one of these a week and has done hundreds. In fact she said she'd never seen one of his patients ever come back for a correction which is a good sign.

Any recommendations on what to eat the week before surgery? I'm currently on a 'greatest hits' tour of all my favourite foods (getting my easter egg in nice and early too) but don't want to overdo it just before the op.
Also, I was under the impression I'd be back to work quite quickly but the secretary reckons 2 weeks to a month. I was hoping for the week after but I'm guessing that's not going to happen. I'm lucky because I have an easy office job just a couple of minutes from my flat but obviously I don't want to put myself at risk.

Oh and I've been reading spike's story on the other thread and it's been very helpful. Thanks to everyone who's posted your advice and experience, it's been great.

My surgeon had me on liquids the first three weeks. Broth, popicles, jello, puddings and non-acidic juices. Then I moved on to watery grits and vienna sausages. I slowly added more solid foods as I felt like I could handle.
Main thing is chew, chew, chew!

Ok, the op is tomorrow. Had a great foodie farewell over the weekend and today it's a couple of light meals so I'm not backed up before the op.
I've not been on here for a while as I've been trying to take my mind off it but thanks to this forum I'm feeling very good about the whole thing (although my wife is still terrified for me). I'll let you all know how it goes.

Goodluck Gritty! and keep us posted on your recovery,when you feel up too it.

You will have to not lift anything for six weeks over 5 lbs. You will tire easily the first seven days.
I showered at day two, just be careful of washing around the cuts. Bending over can be painful the first two weeks. Walking the dog is good for you just don't let him yank on you too much. You can drive if you're not on pain killers.

I know you need to lift the dog food bag for the dog... instead get a simple scoop and place the bag up high enough so you don't have to lift it. A self-feeder and self-waterer will be a bonus.

It will be tricky the first few days, but it is do-able.

I remember having to get up like a pregnant woman.

Watch that gurgling! You can't move very fast in bathroom emergencies, so be careful. :P

Gritty, I hope ya get better soon. I am heading for surgery next Tuesday, yeah I am a little anxious.....but ready to try anything at this point.
Keep us posted

Thanks Pat

Well my surgery was free as I live in Britain. The surgeon was Mr Alan Li and he trained in Australia. He has his own private clinic aside from his NHS work where he specialises in weight loss surgery. His passion though is upper GI surgery and he's performed hundreds of fundoplications. Mine was a 270 degree wrap as he believes this is better than the full 360 at preventing swallowing problems later on. My advice would be to do your research and make sure your doc has performed hundreds rather than a few of these procedures.