Nissen Repeat

Hi!

I had a Nissen procedure done in 1980 the "long" version. Included was a Cholesistectomy and Vagotomy.

After 8 days in the small hospital, I was discharged on a soft diet and anti-nausea tablets. A week later, I was laying in the sun on the beach, enjoying a normal diet.

I am surprised that everybody remained on soft diets for a longer period. I had painful spasms at times, and vomiting, but took it for granted!!

 Ten years after the procedure, I started road running  - half marathons and 50kms. Can you believe that the wrap lasted 32 years?

Unfortunately I have to go for another Nissen on 28th May 2012. The stitches started coming loose. They are going to undo the remaining stitches, "clean it up" and redo the Nissen.

The only problem is, this time I am scared!

Thank you for the notes on HealingWell.com by other patients. I found it very interesting. I am not sure if they are going to do this repeat operation by laparotomy.

What I would like to know is, if I get discharged after three days, will I be up to it to travel home 500kms away?

I am very healthy and quite fit, but I am 59!! Weight 63kg.

Baby elephant

I'd like to add my welcome to Kitt's!  Glad you've joined us!  I think that worrying about an open procedure during a redo is something we all do.  One of our moderators, Bill, had an open redo, and found it not any more difficult to recover from than his lap procedures.  I do know you'll be in the hospital longer for an open procedure.

I'm sure in 32 years you've likely forgotten what the recovery was really like.  Here's the link to my early recovery journal, in case you haven't see it in your travels around the forum:

https://www.healingwell.com/community/default.aspx?f=45&m=2183443

The fact that your wrap has lasted so long is very heartening to members here, I'm sure.  There really isn't much data on how long they're likely to last, and we're always looking for anwers to that question.  It's wonderful news, although sorry you're having to get it fixed now.

I was 57 when I had the surgery, and that was 3 years ago.  There are people here who are than you, and have done just fine with the surgery.  I don't think you need to worry about that at all.

As Kitt said, your surgeon is the one to clear you for travel.  I can tell you this.  Many who've posted here have gone far away to centers to have their Nissens done, and have traveled home without incident.

Good luck with your surgery!

Again, glad you've joined us.

Best wishes,

Denise

Post Edited (dencha) : 4/25/2012 2:05:26 PM (GMT-6)

baby-elephant said...
Hi!



I had a Nissen procedure done in 1980 the "long" version. Included was a Cholesistectomy and Vagotomy.

After 8 days in the small hospital, I was discharged on a soft diet and anti-nausea tablets. A week later, I was laying in the sun on the beach, enjoying a normal diet.



I am surprised that everybody remained on soft diets for a longer period. I had painful spasms at times, and vomiting, but took it for granted!!



Ten years after the procedure, I started road running - half marathons and 50kms. Can you believe that the wrap lasted 32 years?

Unfortunately I have to go for another Nissen on 28th May 2012. The stitches started coming loose. They are going to undo the remaining stitches, "clean it up" and redo the Nissen.

The only problem is, this time I am scared!



Thank you for the notes on HealingWell.com by other patients. I found it very interesting. I am not sure if they are going to do this repeat operation by laparotomy.

What I would like to know is, if I get discharged after three days, will I be up to it to travel home 500kms away?

I am very healthy and quite fit, but I am 59!! Weight 63kg.



Baby elephant