Should i take Nissen Fundoplication Surgery?

Your english is fine.
There is surgery to fix the Barretts. It's called Halo Ablation.
If your Lower Esophageal spincter is weak then you need the Nissen fundoplication surgery.

Basically the rule for having the surgery in the USA is if the medicine doesn't help then you need the surgery.

Testing for the surgery is barium swallow, Endoscopy, manometry, pH testing, and stomach emptying.

Make sure to get an experienced surgeon. The more experienced the better the outcome.
Very few people who have posted here have had dumping syndrome. You do have some stomach upset for a week due to liquid diet requirement.

Hi Andry,

Welcome to Healing Well! First, to change the title of your thread, just click the picture of the pencil in the top right corner. It takes you back to you can edit/change your title and what you've written.

People who have written scary posts on the internet about the bad outcomes they've had after the Nissen surgery and the ones who did not select a highly experienced surgeon (in this specific procedure/surgery).

Joy's statement that you need to choose an experienced surgeon is correct. You could have a fine, fine, exceptional surgeon, but if he/she doesn't have sufficient experience with doing the Nissen fundoplication surgery, no matter how good he/she is, you will likely have problems.

We have a rule of thumb...your surgeon should have done at least 300+ surgeries, and 1000+ is better.

As far as dumping goes...some people have it occasionally during recovery. I did. But it is not something that lasts, or is particularly difficult to deal with.

I think you're rushing things thinking about surgery, though. You have just found out you have reflux, and have not been on the medication long enough to determine whether or not it will work for you. You can heal your esophagus with the correct dosage of PPI. If you feel what you're getting isn't working well after 2-3 weeks, contact your doctor and discuss increasing or changing the type of PPI you're taking.

Again, glad you've found us. We're happy to answer your questions, and provide support as you try to find out what is best for you. You're definitely in the right place. People here will understand what you're going through!

Good luck!
Denise

You can't make a weak LES stronger. If your LES is weak then surgery will strengthen it.

Hi Andry,

Your fullness is probably an indication that you've had some burn at the LES and esophagus. When I had esophagitis and gastritis (irritated esophagus and stomach), I could only eat about a tablespoon of food at a time.

If you can take the PPI drug and elevate the head of your bed 7-8 inches, it will help a lot. You might ask your doctor to prescribe an H2blocker like Ranitidine at bedtime. it provides some extra protection while you sleep. I used to take 40mg Protonix before breakfast and dinner, and at bedtime I took 300mg Ranitidine to keep down the acid while I slept.

Right now you need to work on healing your esophagus and stomach, so be sure to stay away from spicy, acidic, and rough, abrasive foods. It takes a long time to heal the upper GI tract once it's greatly irritated, so try to be patient. You may very well get it healed up and have no need for surgery. Time will tell.

If your beautiful girlfriend is the right person for you, she will understand and support your recovery. Try to stay positive, and don't focus on your problem constantly. Don't talk about it all the time, as that can get tiring to her. Keep active and have fun while you recover. Just be careful not to put things into your stomach/esophagus that will irritate it.

Good luck!
Denise

Hi Andry

I'm sorry to tell you that it can take months to heal your esophagus fully. I believe your doctor will want you to try the medication route before going for the surgery.

I had esophagitis multiple times and because I have asthma, I was even hospitalized for it once. My reflux had caused my lungs to get very bad.

Really, it will require a lot of patience on your part to get through the healing stages. Your doctor has given you medications that keep the acid suppressed, to help with the healing.

You might ask your doctor how long he/she expects it to take before you feel some relief. If you don't get better in that time, then go back to your doctor, and perhaps he/she can adjust your medications to help speed things up.

I wish I had better news. Everyone is different, but that has been my experience.
Glad you've joined us. We're here to provide support, encouragement, and to share our own experiences. Here's hoping you heal up quickly!

Denise

@Dididawinwa:

I have geo tongue since beginning this years. I think that when acid reflux start, and changes my life. :(
My Surgeon also said that could happen because stress & lack of vitamin.

http://www.5min.com/Video/HALO-Ablation-114223452

This is a video about Halo Ablation

The wrapping of the fundus around the esophagus strengthen the LES by giving it extra support.

I am sorry you are still suffering. The others are right about time and the need to heal and investigate and try other things. Is there any chance of seeing another doctor or specialist or asking the one you have to try something else? If whatever you are doing has not changed things for over a month if you could try something new maybe? This reflux can take over your life, I know, do keep pressing the doctors. Good luck.

Hi Andry,

If you've read other posts you will see that I am a big fan of sucralfate (Carafate). I have had similar pain to yours that didn't respond to antacids, and sucralfate helped with the first dose. It provided real relief. It's too bad your doctor didn't prescribe it earlier.

Are you taking a pill or a liquid form? If you're taking the pill, consider putting it in a little medicine cup, add a little water and stir. Then throw it back into the back of your mouth and swallow. That way it can coat your esophagus as well as your stomach. If you can get the liquid form, it would be even better. Just a thought.

Have you had the testing recommended before surgery? (24hr PH monitor, manometry, barium swallow (upper GI test), and endoscopy?) If you decide to move toward surgery, do so very carefully. You need to be sure that you find the most experienced and skilled surgeon possible. If you have to travel to find one, it's worth doing.

I hope you can get things straightened around without surgery, but if that's what you need to feel better, it will be a good option. Many here (like me) have had the Nissen surgery and it has improved our health and quality of life. Still, it's not something to do without great care in deciding if it's the right thing for you.

Best wishes!
Denise

Andry - how are you doing???

Hi Andry,

 

Sorry I didn't get back to answering you sooner.  I guess I just missed your post.  You are wise to be very careful about finding the right person to do the surgery.  I'm so sorry that it's not something that is easy to do in your country.  There aren't many people in the US who have the surgery either, since PPI's were developed.  Most do well on the medication and don't find the need to have surgery.

I didn't have bad reflux either.  While I did have my bed elevated, and followed other GERD recommendations, I still get some breakthrough reflux.  I was on 40mg Protonix AM and PM plus Ranitidine 300mg at night.  It was enough to protect my esophagus, but not enough to protect my lungs.  I had my surgery because the reflux made my lungs terrible.

The feeling of a lump behind your breastbone is an indication that you have irritation there.  How much PPI medication are you taking?  Could you have your doctor increase the dosage to get better results? 

It does take time for the PPI's and Carafate suspension to work, so don't despair yet.  That type of healing of such sensitive tissue takes time.  Try to be careful to chew your food completely, and don't eat anything rough or spicy or very acidic for a while.  I find the Carafate very helpful, and hopefully over time it will help with your symptoms.  Whenever I got esophagitis before I had the surgery, it usually took three months for it to resolve.  I would generally lose about 20 pounds in the process.  It's a long-term process, and you'll just need to be patient. It's not an easy recovery, but the Carafate should help it along a lot.

Are you being careful to take the Carafate properly?  I was prescribed 2 teaspoonfuls 4 times a day.  You have to be careful to take it 2 hours before and after medications.  (It can interfere with their absorption) Also take it 1 hour before and 2 hours after eating meals.

The burping isn't from the PPI's...it's from the GERD.   

Hopefully you'll begin feeling better very soon.

Denise