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Surgery June 4

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GERD & Acid Reflux
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Posted 5/22/2012 7:38 PM (GMT 0)

I have been reading some of the posts and really concerned about the surgery.  I have had several surgeries in the past 7 years and this one has been difficult to committ to. Other surgeries I simply thought has to be done and never worried about the outcome. I realize this is totally different, due to the various outcomes I have read here.  Once done can't undo. I have had a hiatal hernia and ulcers on my esophagus for some time now. I have wondered if maybe the  ulcers just might heal..lol  I thought not and committed to the surgery.  I am so waffling about this especially when I read the posts.  My doctor has been doing this procedure for twenty-five years and comes highly recommended. He explained it thoroughly and answered all of my questions. The outcome is what concerns me and there quarntee it will be problem free. 

Posted 5/22/2012 8:54 PM (GMT 0)
What does your doctor say about the very long-term outcomes? I think it's always tricky to look on a forum like this for "good" outcomes because most people probably only come here when there is something wrong, and even if they have a good outcome and come back to post about it, the chances that they will continue to read and write about it will probably be slim.

I know I would probably not be here much if my reflux problem were fixed.
Posted 5/22/2012 9:28 PM (GMT 0)
As a person who had their surgery 2 1/2 years ago, I've never regretted having the surgery. I was one of the ones the doctor was claiming he didn't think surgery could help me. I went ahead and did it and have enjoyed my life since.
It was my first hospital/surgery stay and needless to say I was scared. I went in expecting the worst and left feeling the best.
Posted 5/22/2012 9:58 PM (GMT 0)
Most stories on here you read are from folks in the recovery period, which is different for everyone. Seems to be 1-3 months. I'll tell you, its a challenging recovery, but I am 6 months out and I can say with complete certainty it was the best decision I ever made for my health. I feel better than I have in years, my quality of life has increased substantially. Was it rough early on? Sure, but any surgery recovery is, and no surgery has a 100% guarantee. There is always some (usually very small) element of risk of complication.

Rarely do people go online to talk about their amazing experience (there are a few of us). Most are going to be folks having problems, searching for others who can help, and that's what this place is for. Its like when I worked Technical Support for a computer company. You get 20 calls a day about broken computers, you are going to think the company makes horrible shoddy products. But, when you put it in perspective, you see the bad experiences are just a small percentage. Your surgeon will be able to help you see that with his data from 25 years. He'll know his success and complication rates. That information is better than anything you'll find or hear online, as its real facts. My surgeon's data is what helped me know I was making the right choice.

I wish you the best of luck. Please let us know if you have any questions before or after the surgery.

Post Edited (bowecho) : 5/22/2012 4:02:21 PM (GMT-6)

Posted 5/23/2012 6:33 AM (GMT 0)
For 8 years after my first fundoplication, I would often tell people that this surgery is one that you will be cursing for the first 3 months and then praising for years.

I remember crying to my parents and friends about why I ever decided to do the surgery during the hardest part of recovery. At some point though, it switched, and I would tell everybody how I didn't even know what living without heartburn felt like until the surgery was over. I got 8 great years out of that fundoplication, and I would have done it again given the choice.

The downer is, these things just don't seem to last. Listen to the doctors, take it easy, and don't over eat. You want this wrap to last as long as possible. Multiple fundoplications become more and more dangerous -- and less and less effective.
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