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Posted 5/17/2011 11:33 AM (GMT 0)
 

 Hi,i just seen a surgeon here in Northern Ireland about getting  a nissen fundoplication,the surgeon says he has done 100 nissens with various degrees of success,and he cannot guarantee me that the surgery would be a success,just give me an example of the worst outcome to the best.i feel disappointed with the consultation,i was expecting him to reassure me,but i feel its just going to be done to pot luck!This surgeon is through the nhs so i have no choice in the matter.Please could anyone give me some advice,is 100 surgeries enough experience?Thanks!Baz.l

Posted 5/17/2011 11:54 AM (GMT 0)
Hi Baza,
Good morning! I understand that you need to work within the NHS, but I do know that others in the NHS have found more experienced surgeons.

No, from what you describe, I would not feel comfortable going forward with that surgeon. He does not have enough experience, and obviously the experience he has had has not be extremely successful.

There have been others from the UK who have had very successful surgeries, and have found a way to be referred to more experienced and capable Nissen surgeons. I suggest that you start a new post/thread that specifically indicates that you're looking for a good Nissen surgeon in your NHS system. Hopefully the members who have experience will see your post and respond.

I wish I could be of more help, but I'm in the US, and have no idea which surgeons in the NHS are the best for Nissen surgeries. I do know that people in the US who have had surgeries by incompetent surgeons have suffered serious problems and have been unhappy with the results of their surgery.

Hopefully someone will be by to give you some good advice and help you with your problem.
Take care,
Denise
Posted 5/17/2011 1:54 PM (GMT 0)
HiDenise,thanks for your reply,if tried every where here to get a recommended surgeon,but no one will help,i just get a list of GI surgeons and i have to choose.Im at a loss,if i travel to mainland Uk i can get a surgeon but not here in Northern Ireland.My consultant and GP both can only send you to a surgeon on their list GI Surgeons with no recommendations.We,re backwards over here! Thanks again.Baz
Posted 5/17/2011 2:30 PM (GMT 0)
Unless your proposed surgery is a very simple one, no hiatal hernia, no problem with swallowing as seen on tests, I'd travel. No way would I trust a surgeon with only 100 Nissens under his belt. 1000 is more like it! Can you at least get information on how many mainland docs have done, preferably their success rate??
Posted 5/17/2011 5:27 PM (GMT 0)
Baza, what I've learned working in the health field and with my own surgeries is that the only time cockyness is good is when it comes to a surgeon. The more confident and cocky a surgeon is usually the better he is. If he/she walks in self assured and can give you statistics for their surgery outcomes and make you feel comfortable then that is a good surgeon. I wouldn't trust the one you went to with the info you provided us, sounds like you need someone more experienced and I would seek another opinion. Maybe do some research in your area and ask around to see if anyone knows of a good surgeon. Someone who second guessing himself in my opinion shouldn't be performing surgeries. Goodluck.
Posted 5/17/2011 5:36 PM (GMT 0)
I can recommend Mr Li at Manchester Royal Infirmary if you're able to travel over here. He's extremely proficient and has performed hundreds of surgeries. Fingers crossed they'll be able to get you a referral. It might be worth contacting the Gastro dept at the hospital as they may be able to suggest your next steps. Good luck!
Posted 5/17/2011 6:56 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks everyone for your replies! Thinking back over my appointment,i think my expectations of the surgery are maybe to high,and the Surgeon was telling me its not perfect.He told me each patient is different and no surgeon can guarantee a perfect outcome! I Dont Know!!!
Posted 5/17/2011 7:11 PM (GMT 0)
That's true but I'd still see if you can find a different surgeon who has done more procedures. My doc said the same thing but then again not one of his patients has come back to have it redone (touch wood). It all depends on the results from your PH and swallow tests and whether you can cope on the meds or not. It's a lot to weigh up and I was in a similar place to you before surgery, not knowing whether to go through with it or not. If you can control it with meds I'd say stick with it for the time being and see what your options are for maybe finding another surgeon. Also find out whether they do a full or 270 degree wrap. The 270 allows more movement and potentially less complications post surgery (not burping or throwing up etc) but it depends on your symptoms. I'm now 8 weeks post surgery and feel great apart from the occasional bit of gas and food sticking if I eat like a pig. It can take 6 months to heal fully and over a year to be properly back to normal but besides what I mentioned I feel more or less ok and am very glad to have had it done.
Posted 5/18/2011 7:35 AM (GMT 0)
Thanks Gritty for the advice! Ive been asking for the surgery for 3 years or so because of bad reactions to meds,only now has the docs beleived me that they have been causing all my problems.Ive had all tests but surgeon wants to do his own tests which is a good thing.Members on the forum say that a surgeon should have at least 1000 nissens done,but i think its a ratio thing,Northern Ireland is quite a small with place less patients.Ive done a bit of research on the surgeon and he,s trained with some top GI surgeons in Australia. Hope everything settles down for you and all the best! Thanks.Baz.
Posted 5/18/2011 7:42 AM (GMT 0)
My guy trained in Australia too, they probably know each other! Seems like Australia is Nissen central or something. Good luck with it Baz, what my surgeon said to me was that in the cases where this op fails it's usually due to other existing symptoms aside from reflux/ GERD.
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