Lifting Weights After Nissen Fundoplication

Hello,

I have decreased in weigth by over 40 lbs (maybe even 45 lbs) after the nissen fundoplication surgery.  I used to lift weights.  My surgeon has told me many times that I would be able to lift weights again, at the same amount of weight (over 200 lbs of weight) once I am healed.  He is a very good surgeon, and I have a mesh of human skin where I had the hiatal hernia repair.  My surgeon has repaired other surgeons' nissens.  He has done over a hundred nissens every year for over 10 years, and he says I can do whatever I did before surgery, after surgery.  I asked him many times, seeking clarification of what he meant, and I asked "even over 250 lbs of weightlifting?" and he said "Yes."

My question that I want to field to all of you is -- are there any weightlifters here who have had the nissen fundoplication?  I really, really, really want to get back into weightlifting, but I'm worried that I will destroy the surgery if I do so.

I do not do squats or deadlifts or anything like that, which puts a lot of pressure on the midsection.

My routine would be incline flyes, incline dumbbell presses, bicep curls, deltoid lifts, opposite flyes for the back, gluteus maximus presses (pushing the leg backwards with weights), and pedaling on stationary bike with a lot of resistance.  I will avoid sit-ups for now.

Any thoughts on this?  Please, only people who have experience with this.  I hope other people on here understand the absolute need to lift weights.  I'm looking like the Machinist here.  I'm not interested in taking it easy or just running or doing aerobic exercise for the rest of my life.  Lifting weights for me is like breathing and eating.  I refuse to give that up, or tone it down to any extent.  Giving it up or toning it down to any extent would be a colossal shame, and a significant loss of quality of life for me.  Not to keep on and on about this, but I really, really, really, really, really want to lift weights again and get into the shape that I once was in.  I really, really, really, really, really do not want to give that up.

Thank You

You might go search "fundoplication" over at Bodybuilding.com, as I believe there are several members over there who have had the surgery and continue to lift weights:

http://forum.bodybuilding.com/

You could also post in the General or Over 35 forums, as lots of people have GERD and are on daily PPIs, etc.

I haven't had the NF surgery, but I was also a very avid weight lifter before I got acid reflux. I've all but given up on it at this point (my reflux is very severe - I can barely sit down after eating even on maximum meds) and have been relegated to walking daily to stay "in shape". I miss it tremendously and for me (much like you) there is no substitute.

My personal hope is that the Torax Linx device will get FDA approved and that it will provide a feasible option for making my GERD more manageable and allowing me to lift weights again without the risk of herniating a wrap. Did you consider this surgery at all before you had the NF? Just curious why you might have ruled it out...

On your question, I'm in no real position to answer. Your surgeon should know better than anyone here, but even he can't give you an answer with 100% certainty. There's been several studies on the failure of wraps and it seems weight lifting (and other diaphragmatic stressors) are a significant risk factor:

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1420811/

However, those are just a few cases, and I'm sure there are many more people who lift successfully after NF surgery without any problems. I'm sure you'll find lots of anecdotal evidence in either direction (example: http://forums.heartburn-help.com/showthread.php?8097-Sports-after-Nissen-Fundoplication&p=57990#post57990) and ultimately the right answer is probably to let it heal as long as possible and then start very slow with very light weights.

Whatever you discover, I'd certainly appreciate it if you'd continue to report back on your weight lifting progress! I'm also very hopeful to get back to my previous life and I hope you achieve the same.

Lucas

Hi speedygerd,

This is great information. Makes me feel better about my own return to the gym. :)

As for the Linx, I did look at those options, but I ruled them out due to the fact they were so new. I knew with the Nissen that the surgery had been done successfully for many decades, giving surgeons many years to improve and perfect the methods. There's a wealth of data to help make the decision, and to help surgeons continue to decrease the number of complications and post surgery symptoms. My surgeon alone had done thousands, taught surgery at a major university, and had extremely impressive patient results. With all of this, I knew exactly what I was getting myself into.

The Linx sounds great, and very well may work wonders, but there's just not enough data for me to feel comfortable with making a decision about it. I'd want to wait and see it done in the wild for a number of years. That would allow us to see 10+ year patient data, give surgeons enough time to master it and make improvements to the procedure. I also don't really like the idea of relying on a device implanted inside me.

There's a lot of horror stories around about the Nissen, but when you really look at the data, it is an extremely successful surgery. Complication rates are decreasing over the years, making the surgery just better and better. In my eyes, there really just aren't any alternatives that stand up to it (yet!).

I...cannot....wait....to....start.....lifting....WEIGHTS!!!!!

I just want to say that you guys have no idea how much hope and happiness you have just given me in this particular thread. I was feeling a bit depressed there, thinking that my days of weightlifting were over. Thank you. Thank you. I uh....HA HA...feel much better now, thank you. I can't wait to start lifting again. I will do so at the 6 month mark.

I am working through the insurance issues right now - but looking to get the TIF surgery done.

I was also curious about the ability to do any/all of the following after either type of fundoplications (TIF or Nissen):
- short/medium distance running (5-6 miles / day)
- Bicycling
- Yoga (deep breathing exercises, spinal twists, locust pose, bends and such)

Thanks!

PPI-LESS:

I am 4 months post surgery and I am able to do all of those things with no issues. Running, bicycling, yoga and some weight training. My surgeon set me loose to do anything at the 2 month mark.

hello Dave234 did you lift weight yet ?
I just had my nissen fundo done and i lost a lot of weight, and like you, i want to lift weights, also my surgeon told me that I will be able to to
please tell me if you did and if you still have no problem with the wrap
thank you

Anyone do sit-ups after the nissen? I am getting fatter.

Michelle, did you go to Dr Gillian? How is your surgery doing?

I called and the receptionist said after 2.5 years sit ups are totally fine. She was surprised I waited that long. Her husband apparently had it and she knew many patients, etc etc

I've been doing sit ups for the past few weeks but I think all the fried food I ate recently is catching up to me as last night I felt bloated and refluxy. I've felt it before and always got better so I'm not too concerned. But I think I will lay off the sit ups for a little bit. I had been doing like 200 quick crunches in the morning on an empty stomach.

Dave,

I went to Gillian. I am feeling okay. I am at 17 months post surgery. I lost 16 pounds after the procedure but gained 10 back. My body does not like the extra weight so I am back on a diet! I just walk for exercise. It sounds like you are on a good exercise program.

Cheers,

Michelle

Anyone else do sit-ups after the nissen? I'm worried that maybe I hurt my surgery.

From experience, I think it's totally fine, but I always get kinda freaked out that I messed something up.

My surgery kind of hurts, and I haven't done sit-ups for a few days. I may have pushed it too hard. I am thinking I need to just rest for a couple weeks, then get back into it, but SLOWLY.

Any thoughts? Anyone who had the nissen who does sit-ups and are fine? Are not fine?

Anyone else lifting weights after their Nissen fundoplication?